Easy Comfort Food
Okay, so I'm laid up in my house with a bad back (herniated disc, sciatica...) for the next few weeks. Not supposed to get up much, can't drive (though have someone to get me groceries) and my doctor keeps telling me not to go overboard on cooking anything that takes too much energy.
But, if I don't eat some good, comforting food I think I'll go crazy. Sick of take-out, sick of pre-packaged stuff. Anyone have some great, easy to make comfort food recipes out there? Possibly some recipes that don't require too many ingredients. I can chop vegetables while sitting on the couch so that's OK. Just can't be standing over the stove for long.
Thank you all so much!
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28 Comments:
I was in your same situation about this time last year, hope you get better quick!...
I used my slow cooker a lot, throw a roast in w/ some veggies or a chicken cacciatore. Takes just a few quick minutes and cooks while you're laid up. Worked great for me.
Alm25 at 9:47AM on 11/07/08
I think a great idea is meatloaf...you can sit and mix all the ingredients, and then pop it in to bake for a while....then you'll have it for a few days and can have it in sandwiches or with roasted potatoes (another easily assembled and cooked meal). I find that making meatloaf with a mixture of meats adds to the flavor and moistness...I usually use ground beef, ground veal and even a bit of ground pork. I also saw Rachel Ray do a ground lamb meatloaf which she seasoned with a bit of cinnamon and other things (have to look it up on foodtv.com) and then ate it with the fixings for a typical gyro, with pita bread and yogurt/garlic sauce. It looked pretty good.
Last night she did a ghoulash made with ground lamb, spices, tomato sauce and orzo, then sprinkled feta cheese and chopped olives and parsley over the top. I have to say it looked yummy.
juliebugsmama at 9:49AM on 11/07/08
I was thinking the same thing as Alm25, do you have a slow cooker/crock pot? You could make some stew, soups, roast, etc. with almost no standing time.
Laurel E at 9:57AM on 11/07/08
How about crock pot chili, the veggies can be chopped while sitting and you can just let it simmer all day. It tastes great reheated. I love it over rice. You can also buy a cornbread mix and bake it up as a side. Another way to serve it is in taco shells with lettuce and cheddar or over salad with tortilla chips and sour cream.
I think a roasted dinner is also nice- on pan chicken or beef, carrots new potatoes, mushrooms, parsnips and herbs. Not much labor but lots of comfort. Take care and feel better soon.
KtMc24 at 10:52AM on 11/07/08
I thought Crock-Pot, too. Practically anything would work.
I was pleasantly surprised to find how easy it is to make lentil soup. Ina's recipe is tasty and simple.
wookie at 11:21AM on 11/07/08
For a quickie, I sometimes make a tuna melt in my toaster oven: lightly toast an english muffin, spread with tuna mashed w/mayo, top w/swiss cheese, return to toaster oven until cheese just melts. You can also add a slice of tomato under the cheese.
SavtaShayna at 11:24AM on 11/07/08
Go to the Chiropractor and you won't have to worry about needing comfort
CarolynEats at 12:17PM on 11/07/08
my rice cooker works great when you just want to make rice and not mind it at all... I love to eat rice with: soy picadillo (just dump everything on the pot and let it cook for about 30 minutes) or stewed potatoes.
I love these pastas that you don't need to boil them ahead. Or this one where you don't need to cook the sauce - just chop and marinate.
Hope you feel better...
Madelyn
KarmaFreeCooking
MadelynRodriguez at 2:22PM on 11/07/08
My go-to comfort food is tortellini in chicken broth. Home-made broth is wonderful, but I generally can't seem to find the time to make it; using a good tinned broth (I generally reduce the latter) works fine; you just pour it into the pot and let it simmer away for half an hour or so before adding the tortellini (and a pinch or two of herbs, if you're feeling so inclined).
Actually, tortellini (and other filled pastas) lend themselves to a lot of combinations (e.g. +beans/crushed tomatoes). They also cook quickly enough that you don't need to spend much time in the kitchen, but not so quickly that you have to hover watchfully over the stove while they're heating.
mongoose at 2:26PM on 11/07/08
My first thought was crock pot too. It is great for pork, beef, chicken, soup, stew, or any number of other dishes.
I hope you feel better!
izatryt at 2:35PM on 11/07/08
I was thinking meatloaf too. Try adding rubbed sage and fresh ground fennel seed. Am I the only one that likes fennel in meatloaf?
Foody2 at 2:40PM on 11/07/08
Thanks, everyone! I am definitely going to make a meatloaf. @Foody2 I think I'd like fennel too.
@CarolynEats Oh, if it were only that easy!
caviarandcodfish at 4:34PM on 11/07/08
I have a great recipe in my blog for mac and cheese. I make two batches at once. It's GREAT reheated and makes a TON.
http://culinarybliss.blogspot.com/2007/11/true-mac-n-cheese-dumpling-and-angel.html
culinarygoddess at 4:44PM on 11/07/08
Crockpot or rice cooker/steamer are ideal since you can just let them go and not worry about stirring.
Only problem I can see with oven cooking is that someone has to put it in the oven and take it out, and if you do a massive meatloaf like I usually do, it's pretty heavy lifting. Smaller loaves or even giant meatballs would work, though.
dbcurrie at 5:38PM on 11/07/08
I can feel your pain. I have been home bound since July, a surgery gone wrong then another to fix the first one. Anyway, my neighbor brought over this casserole: stove top stuffing mix, maybe a little more cornbread, can of cream of chicken or celery, saute onions and some chicken breasts. Once I was out of bed I made this, just boiled and chopped up some chicken tenders and added some sage. Pop in the oven for 30 min. or so.
I agree with everyone else; anything that can go in a crockpot.
Hope you feel better soon. If I live close I'll be glad to bring you a meal.
renee59 at 6:22PM on 11/07/08
Smashed red potatoes with chives, cream cheese and butter. Don't peel the spuds and add a bay leaf to the water while cooking the potatoes. Reserve a cup of the potato water to thin out the cream cheese and butter once added to the lightly smashed potatoes (thin out to taste). I believe I usually use 2 1/2 lbs. of potatoes, a stick of butter and 4 oz. of cream cheese. Chives to taste along with salt and pepper. My husband likes to top off the leftovers with diced ham or bacon. Nothing like creamy and yet chunky mashed potatoes to add a comforting touch to your day. My husband was laid up for 10 weeks after surgery on a herniated disc, and this was his favorite thing to eat.
dhorst at 6:42PM on 11/07/08
When I was four years old, my mother had a 'slipped' disk, and I remember how painful it was--she said crawling on the floor and stretching her spine really helped. Even though it was thirty years ago, I remember how miserable she was--I hope you feel better soon.
I know it sounds silly, but what about 'bridge night' food--that is, really nice sandwiches, cheeses, fancy nuts, chocolates--really treat yourself to some good ingredients since you can't prepare too much stuff. I think when you're laid up, snack stuff is easier than meals.
HeartofGlass at 7:08PM on 11/07/08
anything with good cheese--bliss. my favorite comfort food usually takes people by surprise--but it's really yummy. trust me. dark toast with a thin slice of extra sharp cheddar cheese and a drizzle of honey. oh gosh. i'm not overstating when i call it divine...
moleskinandcoffee at 8:36PM on 11/07/08
Crockpot or roasting bags.... throw in meat, veggies season and maybe a bit of stock.... and poof! a la cuisine!
Pavlov at 10:58PM on 11/07/08
chicken and dumplings in the crock pot is pretty easy and good. hope you feel better.
dearrie at 1:35PM on 11/08/08
For me, nothing is more comforting than pasta. I loved the Talk about what people put on their pasta, and last night I tried the egg/cheese combo someone wrote about. Do you feel up to beating an egg? Then I recommend that recipe for warm, cheesy, easy comfort eats. Plus, carbs make everything feel better.
I also threw on some pre-cooked, pre-crumbled bacon, and it was almost like a carbonara. YUM.
TheCheapChick at 3:05PM on 11/08/08
Grilled Cheese!
you can go classic with tomato soup
OR
Dress it up:
-guyere & fontina, roasted red pepper (jar) and prosciutto
-grilled chicken, sun dried tomatoes, mozzarella, drizzle with Balsamic vinaigrette
-Bacon, White cheddar and tomatoes
How easy is that?!?!?
People always see my sandwiches and drool.
ryan112ryan at 10:22AM on 11/09/08
Any kind of egg you like whether scrambled, fried, poached and toast.
pjracz10 at 3:57PM on 11/11/08
My most comforting food by far would be corn chowder, just made some this past weekend. It's a simple recipe, make white sauce by heating 1tbsp each of butter and flour, then add about a cup of milk, then just throw some cream corn, kernel corn, cooked potatoe chunks, bacon, and some chopped onion preferably fried up with the bacon, and your set. Easy, tonnes of leftovers and loses nothing in storage. Totally having another bowl when I get home!
Patwcampbell at 4:30PM on 11/11/08
@ culinarygoddess - my first thought was also mac & cheese, but I can't envision one other than boxed that doesn't involve some lengthy stirring of fairly thick ingredients, roux or no. My easy version was just using evaporated milk heated until it will melt the cheese you add to it, but even that involves vigorous stirring, then you add the pasta and it gets thicker...
Probably not a good rest for the back. :) For the soul, though?...
MaresyDotes at 4:56PM on 11/11/08
One of those rice casseroles that you can put in the oven and you don't have to cook the rice first?
akk328 at 5:02PM on 11/11/08
I've had so much good food since reading your comments! I would thank you all but I think I'm going to have to go buy a pair of bigger pants! ;)
caviarandcodfish at 9:09PM on 11/20/08
@caviarandcodfish ~ I feel your pain and wish you a speedy recovery.
@Patwcampbell ~ that soup sounds so easy and delicious. Making it tomorrow! Thanks. I think I'll cut the potatoes really small and cook with the bacon and onions. Might try a version another night with clams. I love chowder!
PerkyMac at 11:18PM on 11/20/08