Warm Bowls Of Comfort

 The winds are blowing colder. There's stress from work,school and the upcoming holidays. yet'a frosty evening is the perfect time to hunker down with  hot bowl  of favorite foods. Change into somethign cozu, grab a spoon and snuggle in to enjoy a hot tasty mel.

Everyone thinks that pasta should be made for a crowd or at least two ir three people. yet even a bowl of penne and rotelle cacio e pepe style can work. You can just bowl up a handful of pasta to just suit your needs. A quick cacio and pepper is adding butter, freshly ground pecorino Romano cheese(Parmesan will do in a pinch) and a few grinds of freshly ground pepper. You can adjust the ingredients to how you want then, whether buttery ,cheesy or peppery. This can also be done with leftover pastina too. This is also good reheated with butter and a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese You could also make a quick salsa cruda using a few chopped Roma tomatoes mixed with minced garlic olive oil and oregano. If you have leftover French or Italian, bread and any kind of broth you can create the Piedmontese and Valdostano zuppa de montagna. Add grated Fontina cheese on bread soaked in broth  and the microwave for a couple of minutes or until the cheese melts. This is a great and comforting bowl , full of flavor and warming right down to your toes.

Ramen soup may not be considered a comforting dish but a bowl drop in an egg and that completely changes it. The egg not only adds protein to elevate it to a meal but also adds more flavor and color. The egg  can be poached or cracked onto the hot noodles. The heat will cook them right up. You can also swirl the white and the yolk around ,letting the broth cook then. up. Use the same method for a bowl of hot buttered noodle with an egg mixed in. Add a spoonful of Parmesan cheese and some parsley if you want more color and flavor.Any bowl of rice can be turned into a hot bowlful. This also applies for the small Italian pasta orzo. Drizzle some olive oil, oregano and any grated Italian cheese for a tasty hot meal or even snack. For some color, slice up grape or cherry tomatoes to add to it. If you want to give it some zing and warm your veins add a dash of hot pepper flakes for an arriabiata style bowl. Keep in mind you can do this with polenta too. The corn meal is a great base with butter and cheese or with tomatoes and oil. It's up to you how you want to make it,

A hot bowl of pasta,  polenta, rice or ramen is the perfect way to kick back and enjoy a hot bowl. Create something that;s soothes your mind and fills your stomach. This is the perfect comfort food.