It's darker in the evenings,
it's chilly in the morning,
nights are unfortunately drawing in.
But there is one good thing - it's time for some proper comfort food!
The last few weeks I've been cooking up some proper autumnal winter dishes, from beef hot pots cooked in the oven with lovely thick gravy to a sausage and tomato casserole flavoured with rosemary, bay and balsamic.
Some of my absolute favourite food to eat!
So I thought I'd ask you all for your Favourite comfort food and if it's little unusual then a link to the recipe so I could try it - I still find deciding what to cook each night the hardest bit of cooking for my family!
What's best to warm you up on an Autumn evening?
Some good old fashioned British winter stodge or something more exotic?
Yes, the one redeeming feature of winter is comfort food! One of my favourite winter meals mum gave us when we were kids was a minced beef cobbler - mince, onions, mushrooms and tomatoes with beef stock cooked in a saucepan then transferred to an oven dish. Make up some cheese scones, put them on top of the mince, then bake until the scones are done. We also like what I call Lazy Lasagne - mince again cooked with onions, mushrooms, tomatoes and a beef stock cube (it needs to be a fairly dry mixture so don't add too much liquid). Cook some pasta shapes (I use wholemeal twists, but it doesn't really matter what shapes you use) - don't overcook them, they need to be just al dente) and make a cheese sauce. Mix the whole lot - mince, drained pasta and sauce - together then put in a baking dish, cover with grated cheese and bake for up to half an hour.
ReplyDeleteI have never cooked cheese scones! Sounds really good. Might have to do this!
DeletePies with a nice thick crust and lots of filling, stew and dumplings is another favorite.
ReplyDelete+1,000 to Dawn....she got both of my faves!!!
DeleteStew and dumplings are always good! And a pie on a cold night takes some beating!
DeleteI cook shepherds pie meat mixture then put horseradish scones on top instead of mash to make a cobbler. Delicious. Cheesy scones work too.
ReplyDeleteHorseradish scones sound good. I'm adding some horseradish to my forest garden area this year.
DeleteCorn beef hash, I love it
ReplyDeleteLove corn beef but can never find it using British beef so haven't brought it in years. Shame as corn beef and pickle sandwiches are a favourite of mine!
DeleteThought I should add a vegetarian option using produce from the allotment: squash and borlotti bean stew. This also uses tomatoes (I use tinned) red peppers, onion, garlic and chilli. I serve it on a bed of brown rice for dinner but it also makes a hearty soup for lunch on the following days. It actually improves with keeping I find. In a large pan (I use my stainless steel stock pot - also used for stock, soups, lentil bolognese and jamming) sweat onion, garlic and chilli in rape seed oil until soft, add two tins of tomatoes, chopped red pepper and smoked paprika to taste. Let it bubble for 20 mins or so. Meanwhile pod borlotti beans and add them as you go. Peel and cube squash and add as you go. I use a couple of red onion squashes. Put lid on and allow to.simer until beans and squash are cooked. Taste for seasoning. I usually make this in the morning (squash knife skills are better in daylight!) then allow to cool down before reheating for dinner.
ReplyDeleteI've just done a veggie winter warmer for tea, our peach and chickpea curry - tastes better than it sounds!
DeleteI like the sound of yours though and have everything for it growing here. I'm going to harvest my runner beans tomorrow but to use as dried beans and I'm not short of squash!
Your hot pot looks fab! Not to be boring but I have been on a weight loss regime recently so have to watch what I eat a little bit. However, something I make and thoroughly enjoy is chicken curry, chips and peas but I love a good chicken pie and you can't beat a good sausage casserole with slices of garlic bread on top. Our Rayburn will be lit very soon so looking forward to more slow and low meals!
ReplyDeleteA good curry takes some beating. I swear I'm going to build a tandoori oven nex year to make some proper nann breads!
DeleteMines a vegetarian chilli, made from dried mixed beans (pre-soaked overnight and then pressure cooked 12 mins) tomato puree, peppers, onions, cubed sweet potato, potatoes, chilli powder and a can or two of tomatoes. Served up in a dish, along with garlic bread, yummy!
ReplyDeleteChilli is good. I love it on top of a good jacket potato!
Deleteporridge!
ReplyDeleteI have cold porridge quite often for breakfast (over night oats), but for me it's a year round thing. Warm porridge with brown sugar on is nice on a cold morning though.
DeleteI'd eat this anytime, but lasagna with a bechamel sauce hits the spot on chilly nights.
ReplyDeleteI grew up on lasagna!
DeleteWe are regularly eating Blackberry and Apple Crumbles at the moment. Not into stews yet.
ReplyDeleteA good crumble is proper autumn food! I've got a spare in the freezer as well!
DeleteHow about green potato mountains? Cook a large pot of spuds and mash with as much chopped parsley as you feel like and a grated onion added into the hot spuds along with a fair amount of tasty cheese. make into large handfuls, coat with breadcrumbs and bake for a few minutes with a little butter on top (to brown) I do mine in a tray I have previously cooked bacon in and serve both together but a little oil or butter will work too. Or just eat straight from the pot (Teenagers!)
ReplyDeleteviv