Warm and comforting

We tend to turn to comfort foods as the days get shorter and the chill permeates the air. You want something that sticks to your ribs and warms you from the inside out as you eat it. Having the oven on to heat the house doesn’t hurt either. Something cheesy, something filling, you want something that soothes the soul as it fills your belly.

I am sure it’s a little different for all of us, but some things are consistent. It is usually something Mom or Grandma made when we were younger, something made from scratch and baked or cooked on the stovetop for at least an hour or in the slow cooker all day. Comfort food invokes a memory of days gone by or reminds us of a feeling we shared with someone. Comfort food means it warms you to smell it cooking, and man does it smell good as it fills the house. It can be just one of your favorite things to eat or just something that gives you a certain feeling. Regardless, it feels like home and it brings peace and comfort as you eat it.

Comfort foods tend to be a little high on the carbs including either pastas or potatoes or even both. For some, it means sweet foods, like chocolate. For me, it depends on why I need the comfort! Sometimes, it means something loaded with cheese and probably heavy cream for added richness. It’s often thick and creamy. Other times, it means something smooth and chocolatey and sweet on the tongue.

Regardless of what foods comfort you, one thing is the same across them all. They all make you feel good! This week, I made a few casseroles designed to ‘stick to your bones’ as Granny would say. These are all comforting, feel good foods and only one of them takes some time to cook. Pair any of them with some bread and a salad for a complete meal that didn’t take much effort to put together. Make your grocery list and pick up what you need. Then, meet me in the kitchen for comfort foods to warm your soul!