Comfort Food Fest!
I woke up this morning at 6 AM with blueberry pancakes on my mind. Maybe the rest of you folks don't live in the arctic tundra known as Michigan, so you weren't feeling the "comfort food" vibe this morning, but it's 6 degrees here and we're dug in for the day (and maybe the next). Wild blueberry pancakes, peppered brown-sugar bacon and a gallon of coffee started the day perfectly.
I dug out the crock and did Braised Pork Shoulder w/ Port & Prunes. There will be roasted garlic mashies, fresh French bread, sweet corn frozen from the farmstand and a Meyer lemon-buttermilk bundt cake for dinner later. A decent bottle of chard and a rousing game of Foodie-Fight with the SO by the fire while waiting for dinner. sigh... What is your perfect mid-winter comfort food meal? And experience? And does it involve a crock?
Add a comment:
Previewing your comment:
HTML Hints
Some HTML is OK: <a href="URL">link</a>, <strong>strong</strong>, <em>em</em>
Comment Guidelines
Post whatever you want, just keep it seriously about eats, seriously. We reserve the right to delete off-topic or inflammatory comments. Learn more at our Comment Policy page.
If you see something not so nice, please, report an inappropriate comment.
Start Talking!
Need a question answered? Have advice to share? Start a Talk topic now!
Sign up to get your questions answered and share advice.
38 Comments:
It's the same temperature here & the wind-chill must be a zillion below!! When it's this cold, I just like to curl up & eat something warm from a bowl. Mac & cheese, popcorn, lasagna or lots of popcorn & hot chocolate:)
JEP at 5:38PM on 02/10/08
There is too many things to list. Soups, stews, chili, roasts... I could go on and on. I love winter just for the food. To go off topic for a second... Frederika, I was given a ton (well, not a ton, but close enough) of Meyer lemons are you willing to share your bundt cake recipe without commiting lessipe?
evilchefmom at 6:22PM on 02/10/08
And the braised Pork w/ prunes & port recipe, too....? That sounds good!
Last night I made a pot roast with zinfandel, baby bella mushrooms, onions and carrots..tossed in some baby red potatoes and served it with green beans and almonds. The house smelled heavenly as it cooked.
moibec at 6:55PM on 02/10/08
As much as I long for spring and summer weather, I still wanna come to your house! Can I, may I please???? I want to eat your food and join in the food fight in front of the fire. The food sounds great and the company sounds like fun!
A friend dropped off a big container of blueberries yesterday (from Costco) and I'm sitting here dreaming of all the wonders I can make......and I'm nearly out of flour! Darn. The weather here in PA has really turned nasty.
p.s. my sister used to live in the pinky. "mashie" fredrika? where are you really from?
PerkyMac at 7:23PM on 02/10/08
Not to gloat, but it was a beautiful, sunny day, in the mid-70s at my house this weekend. I still made a perfect filet mignon au poivre last night, served with roasted yams. And this morning I made the best batch of banana muffins I've ever eaten.
But then we went out to do yard work all day long. So tonight's mid-winter meal will probably be burgers and fries from In-n-Out.
Come to think of it, I probably shouldn't be posting in this thread.
P.S., Perky, you don't need much flour to make a cobbler, crumble or slump... or, if you have any all bran cereal in the house, you could make a very tasty blueberry muffin... just a couple of thoughts...
LoCo at 8:06PM on 02/10/08
The temperature here is now 3 degrees and my eyeballs are about to freeze to my lids in front of the fire!
evilchefmom (best screen name in the world) - Do you have access to the CIA Baking book? The cake recipe is actually just listed as Lemon Buttermilk Cake; I just happened to have Meyer lemons. They had a virtual mountain of them at Whole Foods last week and I couldn't resist. I just knew they wouldn't be available much longer so I grabbed a bunch. I also happened to have a quart of buttermilk that needed to be used ( I have no idea) and I was searching for recipes. I probably needed buttermilk for biscuits and couldn't get a small container, so... a vat of buttermilk remained. If you can't get that cake recipe I will be glad to supply it.
moibec - the pork , port and prunes recipe is from Lora Brody Slow Cooking. Just a little tip - add a couple minced garlic cloves with the other vegs and a shot of Slivovitz (plum brandy) with the port doesn't hurt either. mmm... pot roast.... I am so craving. And chili...and cassoulet... My house smells so good, too.
Well, Perk, I got whooped at Foodie Fight, as usual - again. Come on over - I'm sure you would be more kind! My SO is such a little smartie-pants. Unfortunately, I had to resort to TJ's frozen wild blueberries, but when you are having blueberry pancake fantasies, you can't be picky. Born and raised in Toledo, Ohio. Just got moved to Michigan last spring. I only have illusions of being more worldly!
frederika at 8:32PM on 02/10/08
Hey LoCo.......I'm down to a couple of tablespoons! I once had flour go rancid and I don't keep a stock like I used to, but this is ridiculous. I have to get my order in soon. I do have a new box of raisin bran, though. Is there a recipe? I don't think I'd like raisins and blueberries together, but I don't mind picking the raisins out and eating as I work.......haha.
I have one daughter in LA and another in Arcata. I need to get myself to CA. Gloat away......I don't blame you one little bit.
PerkyMac at 8:33PM on 02/10/08
I forgot to check the freezer - bet there's flour in there.
PerkyMac at 8:41PM on 02/10/08
Perky, I was just going to tell you to keep your flour in the freezer, and it won't go rancid. Too funny.
I think I have a bran muffin recipe somewhere. Let me take a look. If I find it, I'll post it for you. But you could also use hot cereal if you have something like malt-o-meal or zoom on hand. I used to make oatbran muffins for my ex -- they didn't contain one speck of flour, and were actually super tasty.
Another thought. Do you have any cornmeal? You could make blueberry johnnycakes or indian pudding with blueberries...
Bread pudding with blueberries? Blueberry creme brulee? Flourless chocolate cake with blueberries?
Uh oh... my gears are turning... stand back! This could get messy!
LoCo at 9:23PM on 02/10/08
@frederika, this weather here in Michigan is supposed to last through tomorrow! Even down here in the SE corner of the lower peninsula just north of Toledo, schools are already calling broadcasters (it's 10 p.m. Sunday now) to announce closings for tomorrow morning. A couple days ago my wife made some Sirloin Shepherd's Pie. I posted the recipe and pics here and am getting responses from a lot of folks saying they'll be trying it out. I'm thinking about making more tomorrow myself! I think a nice hot totty might go good with that stuff ... ;-)
LunaPierCook at 10:02PM on 02/10/08
My mother used to make Shepherd's Pie with left over shredded pot roast swimming in gravy. I can't remember tomatoes, but she did add mushrooms, niblet corn and the other standard veggies like onions, carrots and a little garlic, with peas added at the last moment. She also added an egg yolk to the potatoes - to help them brown? The cheese was incorporated into the mashed potatoes and she always loved to sprinkle paprika on top of anything she could. I don't think there is a recipe, but you've inspired me to try to recreate it. She was such a creative cook, that she probably never made it the same way twice anyway. It used to be one of my comfort food favorites. Thanks LunaPierCook!
PerkyMac at 10:18PM on 02/10/08
LoCo, why don't you just leave those oven temps and come experience 50 mph winds with temps in the single digits? You get to feel the "cool" wind through your hair and your bones! The good news - only a little ice and snow anticipated!
Last night, there was thunder and lightning like I've never seen or heard. The first thunder made my house shake so badly, I thought the nuclear power plant had been bombed. Not kidding. Then the flashes of light seemed to come right through the windows, buzz and shake the house again. Terrifying - you don't expect that this time of year especially. I was shocked I didn't lose power. Anyway, I'm sure you'd enjoy the change and you are more than welcome to cook for me.......anything you'd like. ;)
PerkyMac at 10:26PM on 02/10/08
Hey luna pier, I know I make it sound like I'm in the U.P. but I'm only by A2. Mmmm, the shepard's pie reminds me of the chicken pot pie my mom used to make. And chicken paprikas, that I used to make really well, but haven't in years. Amazing, isn't it, how we evolve and our tastes and cooking styles become more sophistocated and yet when we're cold and miserable all we want is home and mom's food.
frederika at 10:54PM on 02/10/08
@PerkyMac, the one guy's who's asked for some has a hankering for lamb, so I think the next batch might be ground lamb and include black beans and rice. I might have to try the egg in the potatoes as well, and maybe some sour cream for an added richness. Thanks for the inspiration!
@frederika, it sounded as though you were somewhere along our west coast, dealing with all that lake-effect crap coming off Lake Michigan! What's a chicken paprika? I've not heard of that. Yeah, I'm getting a hankering for Mom's Velveeta Mac-n-Cheese this morning, waiting for school closings again ... pass the ketchup! ;-)
LunaPierCook at 5:15AM on 02/11/08
luna pier - chicken paprikas (actually pronounced pop-ri-kosh) is a Hungarian dish with slowly braised chicken prepared with a lot of good paprika, and onions. Then you make your own dumplings or spaetzle. Or at least my family always has because that's "The Hungarian Way", but you can cheat and purchase some in a pinch. Then the gravy or sauce is made using the juices in the pan and adding sour cream. A lot of it. Add the chicken and dumplings to the sauce and cancel the cholesterol check for tomorrow.
You used to be able to get good paprikas at Tony Packo's years back. If you try it there now, it is a mere shadow of it's former self. They have commercialized the product so much there is no taste to it anymore so I really wouldn't recommend it.
My mom used to make the paprikas dish using veal, as well (not veal and chicken together, however). That was my dad's favorite. Obviously veal was a lot cheaper then.
frederika at 9:59AM on 02/11/08
My mother made that too, but never with dumplings. I thought that's what you meant, but I'm not familiar with that spelling. We loved it! I forgot about it and never made it for my family. Never too late!
PerkyMac at 10:06AM on 02/11/08
I'm with you in Michigan (southwest), my husband makes the best beef barley soup. He makes a huge pot of it and it will be all we eat for two days. It's the best. He also adds a lot of white pepper so it warms you from the inside.
mommyme at 10:09AM on 02/11/08
A big beautiful pot of beef vegetable soup sounds so great today, Unfortunately I have no beef and not many vegetables either. No work today and it's 8 degrees out there so soup today will be a challenge but I'm determined to make some with what I have here. I'm going freezer-diving! Comfort soup experiment awaits!
frederika at 10:44AM on 02/11/08
@frederika; Get thee to Hiller's! (In Arborland at 23 and Washtenaw, in case you don't know where it is yet.) That's probably the best meat department I've seen. I like it even better than the meat department a bit west at Whole Foods. Be sure to check out Hiller's exotic meat case, with rattlesnack, ostrich, maybe a turducken ... ;-)
We take most of our visitors to the Packo's on Front St. We tried the one in The Anderson's at Monroe & Talmadge and never went back.
LunaPierCook at 11:13AM on 02/11/08
@Loco...I'm with you on the temps..Mid 70's here. I get so excited when we (rarely) have a day below 50 and I can justify a long braised meal. I mean, I do it all the time when it's warm, but I have no justification. So....yesterday I grilled baby back ribs, corn on the cob and roasted potatoes....sigh...summer.
jcrisco at 11:52AM on 02/11/08
@luna pier - Been to Hiller's many times, in fact just Friday. I'll pass on the snake, but want to try ostrich. We are big fan's of Sparrow Market up in Kerrytown for meat. It it so awesome they even have foie gras in the case (well, they did at holiday time). We have gotten free range capon, duck, turkey, prime steaks, you name it. It is small but if they don't have it, they will get it for you. Another gourmet market just opened on Friday called Plum Market. We haven't been there yet but planning to this week.
A2 just happens to have a glut of gourmet markets. I hope that trend never ends because it it so great to just be able to find everything you need for a more esoteric recipe. When I lived in Toledo I would find a recipe and look for ingredients for so long that when I finally found what I needed six months later, I had forgotten what I needed it for!
So, luna pier, have you tried the chicken paprikash at Packo's? By Hungarian standards, it's not so good.
frederika at 11:58AM on 02/11/08
@frederika, if you just want to try ostrich it's sometimes served as burgers at the café on the second floor of Cabela's in Dundee. They occasionally serve other interesting things as well. I've never been to Sparrow Mkt and actually haven't been to A2 since August. Seem's a trip to Zingerman's might be needed anyway ... ;-)
At Packo's I normally get combo #2 and an apple strudel. It's one of those places I rarely stray from what I go there for in the first place! I'll try all kinds of things at other restaurants ... I guess you're saying I should do that at Packo's too, eh? :-)
LunaPierCook at 12:46PM on 02/11/08
I think I somewhat had success on the freezer dive! I found a pkg about 1# 12oz. of boneless beef tri-tip strips. I would much rather have meat with a bone for soup, but would that be enough of a base? Any opinions?
frederika at 12:47PM on 02/11/08
If you don't have any commercial beef base, you could use beef broth or even bouillion cube in a pinch. I've used chicken stock for beef and actually prefer the taste to the emergency alternatives. I'm assuming you're like me and not about to go out shopping in that weather?
Sounds like a great diving find!
PerkyMac at 12:56PM on 02/11/08
@luna pier - I just don't think Packo's updated version of that particular dish would be a fair assessment of what it should really taste like. I'm being kind...
Sparrow Market is on the first floor level of the Kerrytown Shops adjoining the farm market area. You know it's right around the corner (like about 1/2 a block) from Zingerman's. I have never been to Cabela's, can you believe that?
frederika at 1:00PM on 02/11/08
Perky - You are so right. I'm not going out there and no one can make me!You would not believe the pile of ingredients on my counter. 2 cans of beef broth, a large carton of veg broth, a large can of organic chunky tomato sauce, onions, cannellini beans, demi-glace. I also have carrots, celery, potatoes, frozen corn and peas and I'm not giving up yet. I think I'm going for it!
frederika at 1:16PM on 02/11/08
@frederika, there's a Hungarian place up in Flint. Maybe I'll try it next time I'm up there, which should be sometime in March. You've not been to Cabela's? Almost 4 years ago, it was a great place for a second date for us! Ok, so we ate at the Bob Evans' out front ... ;-) I think once you scrounge for enough veggies to go with that beef and get the onions done, a good soup won't be far behind. I've planned bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin medallions with baked potatoes for our dinner down here. Too bad we can't realistically eat outside!
LunaPierCook at 1:22PM on 02/11/08
YOU GO GIRL!!!!!!!! But stay toasty warm indoors.......ha! All that's missing is some crusty bread and you're all set to cozy in.
PerkyMac at 1:23PM on 02/11/08
Half of yesterday's French is left - my husband took like half of it for lunch today - nothing else - just bread and butter. He will be so starving when he gets home. His perfect meal is a loaf of fresh bread, potatoes, pasta and a side of rice! I'm starting to think that is a great diet. He never gains a lb. argh.....
frederika at 1:29PM on 02/11/08
@Perky... ha! I'm not afraid of your weather... not only do I ski (yes, parts of CA actually do offer some quite impressive winter conditions... did you hear about the guys who got killed in the avalanches a couple of weeks ago?), but I've even driven on iced roads during a sleet storm! Ultimately, though, I feel it's nice stuff to visit, but I wouldn't want to live with it! ;-)
@jcrisco... too funny! Where are you? I sure do know what you mean about looking forward to those few cold days every year. And rain? Now that's a real treat. People who live with real seasons, and real weather, just can't relate to the potentially maddening monotony of sunny day, after sunny day, after sunny day (it can actually lead to a bizarre, reverse form of cabin fever)! Pathetic, no?
I actually use my slow cooker a lot. Give me a hearty bean soup, spicy chili, boeuf bourguignonne, or some such, and I'm in heaven! Cool weather definitely is an impetus, but summer provides its own good reasons to use the slow cooker: It doesn't heat the house up, and it's a nice alternative to grilling outdoors, which we do at least once a week, year round, but almost daily during summer! Believe it or not, it does get old!
p.s., perky, did you decide what to do with your berries?
LoCo at 1:44PM on 02/11/08
i feel sooooo bad for all of you who are living thru this frigid weather... I am in Puerto Rico, and according to the temp on my computer screen, it's 82 degrees here... but I can empathize with needing some comfort food when the weather gets colder - as in 72 degrees like it was here last week... sorry, I am truly sorry - I know the temps do not ever compare...
but when that happens, I crave pasta dishes... last week i made a white lasagna and I also love to make mac & cheese, which I usually make with whatever leftover cheeses I have on hand.
Hope the weather gets better for you guys up north...
Madelyn
KarmaFreeCooking
MadelynRodriguez at 2:34PM on 02/11/08
LoCo - when I was younger I always said I loved the changes in the seasons. As the years pass I'm beginning to understand the migration of the geriatric set to God's Waiting Room.
I only got my slow cooker 3 years ago at my husband's urging. Never had one in my life. My mom never had one either so I had no idea. I thought dishes you made in the crock were always like Fix it and Forget It type. A can of mushroom soup and ya da ya da. We found 3 gourmetish more up-scale crock books and have been extremely pleased. The French onion soup was great and the osso bucco was nothing short of amazing. I will never dis the crock again.
The soup from nothing is smelling pretty good, guys. It was a good day for stovetop therapy!
frederika at 4:13PM on 02/11/08
Hey guys- I LOVE the cold weather. Seriously, love it. Admittedly, I go out looking like the Michelin Man Me, today!, but I'm toasty.
My current favorite comfort is Kalua Pig made in a crock pot. A Hawaiian staple (yes, I'm kinda far from my balmy home. My father tells me it's freezing there. Went down to 65 last night or something), but awesome in this weather and super easy.
A pork butt 4-6 lbs, if it's still got the top layer of skin and fat, cut it off.
a couple tablespoons of Liquid Smoke
A tablespoon of Hawaiian Salt (But I usually don't have it and just use regular sea salt)
Rub the roast all over with the liquid smoke and salt. Throw in slow cooker. Cook on low for 8-16 hours (depends on the size of the butt, your cooker, etc. A 5 lb roast in my cooker takes about 11 hours.
And that's it. You may prefer more liquid smoke or salt. Shred the meat. Don't throw out the juice. It's great with cabbage (Kalua Pig and Cabbage, another staple), or over rice or on sandwiches.
chisai at 5:44PM on 02/11/08
That sounds like the best meal ever! How did you get your hands on Foodie Fight?? I've been trying to buy it for months and months and it's been sold out everywhere. I'm jealous all around.
Hillary
Chew on That
Chew on That at 4:30PM on 02/12/08
Got it for my SO for Xmas online Sur La Table. It's good fun but I get my behind kicked every time!
frederika at 10:06PM on 02/12/08
I am in Michigan, too, and I always crave soup when it gets cold outside. I made a Black Bean Pumpkin Soup last night that I found on Smitten Kitchen's website (http://smittenkitchen.com/2007/11/black-bean-pumkin-soup/). I thought it sounded interesting, and I love cumin, so we gave it a try. I added some crushed red pepper for an extra kick and it was delicious! It really hit the spot after driving home in a snow storm.
@ Frederika - We have a Hungarian restaurant just south of Detroit that some people rave about. Hungarian has never really been a comfort food for me, so I wouldn't be able to provide a personal recommendation, but they do have a website if you would like to check it out:
http://www.therhapsodyrestaurant.com
tracyd at 10:15AM on 02/13/08
@Loco...I am in Florida. 5 minutes from "mouseland". It rained yesterday (along with some tornados), but at least I got to roast a chicken and pretend it was cold.
jcrisco at 10:30AM on 02/13/08
@tracyd - I grew up in a household that quite often had Hungarian food and I do give in to my cravings occasionally, but that cuisine is not known to be lo-cal or lo-fat, so it's not so often now. We tend to eat a much more healthy diet with a lot of fresh fruit and vegs not covered with sour cream as the Hunkys ( not a degrading term!) like to do. There is actually an Eastern European restaurant here in Ann Arbor called Amadeus which supposedly has phenomonal food and we haven't made it there yet. I believe I've heard of the Rhapsody.
@jcrisco - We have spent quite a bit of time in the Orlando area and found such great restaurants there - not the mainstream type- mostly off the beaten path. Don't get me wrong; we certainly appreciated places like Primo and Norman's, but we managed to find La Coq au Vin, K Restaurant and Wine Bar, Hue, Enzo's, Cafe De France and so many noteworthy others. I really look forward to getting back there. I love it!
frederika at 12:11PM on 02/15/08