Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Comfort Food For Chilly Days

As we glide from October to November it;s time to think about what warms us up and keeps us happy. What makes a good comfort food on a brisk , day or during a cold, rainy evening? All of us have our favorites. It could be a bowl of hot soup or a nice grilled cheese. Comfort food could star the day off or end it.

Soup is always a good warmer upper for these late October days. It's light yet filling and acts almost as antifreeze against the damp and nip. I always like pumpkin soup on those days. it;s filling and hearty while connecting me to my family and their past. There's also something soothing about the mix of the pumpkin blend with milk and butter as well. Another fall favourite is beef or mushroom barley soup. One of my favorite Jersey diners The Coach House in North Bergen has an excellent version of it, with the soup being more of a potage , rich with large beef and tomato chunks. Another comfort food that I like is a good bacon and eggs meal. Mind you, I eat soy bacon these days but the taste is the same as the real stuff. It makes for a great Sunday night dinner with toast and tea.

Other people have their own cold weather comfort foods. meat loaf is big this time of year. Some friends of mine find it their security blanket during rough times. Their version of it is a couple of slabs of it smothered in gravy with a side of mashed potatoes. others like the foods of their heritage such as my Greek friends with their passion for dolmades or Chinese students loving hot noodle dishes , reminiscent of ones that neighborhood street vendors back home sell

Everyone has their favorite cold weather comfort foods. What's yours? Is it a warm breakfast that prepares you for the day?A hot soup after a stressful business meeting? Or a childhood favorite to be savored over a Saturday of raking leaves? Every one has a go to comfort food. Let's hear from you foodies out there about makes you happy during these chill, brisk autumn days.
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