Five Easy Nostalgic Comfort Food Recipes & Ideas

Comfort food is the source of happiness for us. Often we use it as a form of self-meditation. They are associated with various memories. They give us instant gratification.

Even Nigella Lawson has made her fair share of comfort food. And I love her a little more for that. Comfort food can be anything, even reminiscent of your childhood or a meal that has a very special place in our heart.

Needless to say, it's a warm feeling in your belly and a mending medicine for a broken heart as well.

“Food is the most primitive form of comfort.”

Comfort food is very sacred to us. No doubt about it. I can eat my fair share of comfort food without feeling guilty. So, let's indulge in some of the easiest comfort food recipes and get all warm and toasty!

Super Comfort Food: Mac N Cheese

Mac n cheese is the ultimate comfort food. You can eat it any time of the day. All that cheesy goodness and creaminess is simply mouthwatering.

Ingredients:

1 cup dried elbow pasta
1 cup whole milk
2 tbsp butter
1 cup grated medium sharp cheddar cheese – divided (measured after grating)
1 cup grated Gruyere cheese – divided (measured after grating)
1/2 Tbsp. salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1/4 tsp. Paprika

Cooking Method:

Preheat the oven to 220°C/200°C Fan/gas mark 7/425°F. Cook the macaroni according to the packet instructions, drain and then put back into the hot pan
Combine milk, butter, salt, pepper and paprika and mustard in the saucepan
Stir frequently until butter is melted and increase heat to medium
Once the mixture comes to a simmer, return pasta to the saucepan and stir well
Reduce heat to low
Add cheeses, allow to sit about 30 seconds until slightly melted and then stir until all noodles are coated
Bake for 5-7 min, for a crust, add more cheese on top
Serve immediately. Sprinkle with additional smoked paprika.

Hot Chocolate with marshmallows

Oh, the warmth of a good hot chocolate. It is the best chocolaty treat for those cold winter nights.

Ingredients:

2 cups whole milk
2 tbsp sugar (or according to taste)
4 oz bittersweet chocolate chopped
splash of vanilla
whipped cream (optional)
marshmallows (optional)

Cooking Method:

Warm the milk but do not bring it to boil. Wait for the bubbles to form
Melt the chocolate in the microwave for 30 seconds
Add the melted chocolate in the milk gradually
Stir well
Add a splash of vanilla for more flavor
Enjoy with your choice of topping (I like my hot chocolate with whipped cream)

Homemade Pizza

Pizza for me is Joey’s special (every Friends fan will get it). I like my pizza with zero veggies and more cheese and tomato sauce. Especially if it’s homemade.

Ingredients:

FOR THE DOUGH

1 1/4 c. lukewarm water
3 c. all-purpose flour
1 tbsp. granulated sugar
1 (1/4-oz.) packet active dry yeast
2 tsp. Salt
1/4 c. olive oil

FOR THE PIZZA

1 c. marinara, divided
16 oz. fresh mozzarella, thinly sliced, divided
Fresh basil leaves
Pinch red pepper flakes

Cooking method:

In a bowl, add water and sugar and stir to dissolve. Add yeast and let sit until frothy, about 15 minutes
Knead the flour with salt, oil and yeast mix
Knead it until becomes smooth and together
Place and cover in a bowl with oil and warm cloth until it rises and doubles in size
You can prepare the dough 24h in advance as well
Preheat your oven to 350-400C
Flatten your dough according to your pizza pan. You can make the crust, thin or deep pan, as you want
Spread the marinara sauce, leave 1” space at the corners
Top with mozzarella and basil leaves
Sprinkle chili flakes
For more flavor, feel welcome to add cheddar cheese as well
Bake for 10-12 min or until the dough and crust is golden
Voila, enjoy your freshly made pizza with a glass of wine (or coke)

Chicken Noodle Soup

This is the best comfort food when you are sick or when you are just missing your mom’s cooking.

Ingredients:

2 tbsp. olive oil or cooking oil
1 small yellow onion, chopped
2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
4 c. low-sodium chicken broth
2 cloves garlic, minced
Freshly ground black pepper
2 tsp. fresh thyme leaves
Kosher salt
2 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 4) ( or you can use dark meat)
4 c. cold water
8 oz. egg noodles
Pinch crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
2 tbsp. freshly chopped parsley, for garnish

Cooking Method:

Heat oil in a pot and add onions, carrots, and celery
Sauté for 10 min
Add garlic and thyme and sauté
Now, add chicken breasts (you can add whole or in cubes) and sprinkle salt
Add the broth and water and let the chicken cook until tender
Take the chicken out and shred it. Put it back in the pot
Add egg noodles and cook until they are tender
Add flakes and parsley. Serve hot

Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Tomato Soup

This hearty meal is another favorite childhood specialty. Every home has its own variation of this recipe but equally worth indulging.

Ingredients:

TOMATO SOUP

3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 large yellow onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
15 oz crushed tomato (395 g), 1 can
2 cups chicken broth (480 mL)
¼ cup heavy cream (60 mL)
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon pepper

For the grilled cheese sandwich

2 slices bread per person
Grated mozzarella and mature cheddar: 2 cups each
butter

Cooking Method:

Melt butter in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion and stir for 6-8 minutes, until the onions just start to brown
Add the garlic and stir for another minute. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, chicken broth, heavy cream, salt, and pepper
Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes
Remove the soup from heat and transfer to a blender. Blend for 2 minutes, until the soup is smooth and thick. Alternatively, leave the soup in the pot and use an immersion blender
For a thicker soup, you can add 2 tbsp of cornflour in the soup
For the sandwich, mix the cheeses.
Sprinkle the cheese on the slice of bread and place the other bread on top
Cook in a non-stick grill pan, over medium heat until the cheese is melted and the sandwiches are golden brown on both sides.
Dunk the sandwich in the soup and enjoy