We all have those days guys, the days where you feel like crap mentally or physically or both. The end of last week saw me in the ER all day just to leave with puncture wounds, bruises, and no answers. Needless to say it didn't leave me in the best of moods in addition to my physical ailment. Once I was home and settled, Mama Buttercup had to head out to pick up my prescriptions and asked if I wanted anything, to which I replied with grunts and incoherent babble...hospital meds will do that to you. When she returned she not only had my medication but a vast array of comfort food items. None of these are particularly healthy, just yummy. Here are some homemade recipes of my favorite feel better treats.
They're salty, crunchy and are as easy to make as they are to eat. I love a good fry, probably because Papa Buttercup has been making homemade fries since I can remember.
Ingredients
- Potatoes - 1 per person is more than enough!
- 1qt cooking oil - peanut oil is best
- Seasonings
- Knife for cutting
- Colander for rinsing
- Pot for frying
Cut potatoes into 1/4" fry shapes. Or fatter if you like "steak fries." I like em skinny and crisp!
Rinse cut potatoes in a large bowl with lots of cold running water and cover with water by and ice. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes.
In a large pan (or an electric deep fryer), heat oil over medium-low heat.
If you have a candy thermometer (recommended), heat until the thermometer registers 325oF (165 C).
Drain ice water from cut fries and wrap potatoes in a clean tea towel and thoroughly pat dry.
Increase the heat to medium-high and add fries, a handful at a time, to the hot oil.
Fry, stirring occasionally, until potatoes are soft and limp, about 10 minutes.
Using a slotted spoon or sieve, carefully remove fries from the oil and set aside to drain on paper towels.
Let rest for 10 - 20 minutes or so.
I love pizza in all forms! Pizza rolls are the one of the fastest snack foods there is and whenever I'm in a crummy mood these little pockets of pizza do wonders. I found this recipe on http://www.julieseatsandtreats.com/
that I can't wait to try!
http://www.julieseatsandtreats.com/2013/09/homemade-pepperoni-pizza-rolls
Mac and Cheese
For some mashed potatoes are their ultimate comfort food, but I'm not that pig of a fan. To me the holy grail of comfort is mac and cheese. I love pasta and cheese so it's always been my go to dish. I'm trying new recipes all the time and I recently came across this one that I love from my favorite Food Network stars, Alton Brown (with a couple of personal tweaks).
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound elbow macaroni
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 1 tablespoon powdered mustard
- 3 cups milk
- 1/2 cup yellow onion, finely diced
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika (I use red pepper flakes)
- 1 large egg
- 12 ounces sharp cheddar, shredded
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- Fresh black pepper
- I like to add a pinch of nutmeg
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
In a large pot of boiling, salted water cook the pasta to al dente.
While the pasta is cooking, in a separate pot, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour and mustard and keep it moving for about five minutes. Make sure it's free of lumps. Stir in the milk, onion, bay leaf, and paprika. Simmer for ten minutes and remove the bay leaf.
Temper in the egg. Stir in 3/4 of the cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Fold the macaroni into the mix and pour into a 2-quart casserole dish. Top with remaining cheese.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
In a large pot of boiling, salted water cook the pasta to al dente.
While the pasta is cooking, in a separate pot, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour and mustard and keep it moving for about five minutes. Make sure it's free of lumps. Stir in the milk, onion, bay leaf, and paprika. Simmer for ten minutes and remove the bay leaf.
Temper in the egg. Stir in 3/4 of the cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Fold the macaroni into the mix and pour into a 2-quart casserole dish. Top with remaining cheese.
Bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and rest for five minutes before serving.
What comfort food list is complete without ice cream. My favorite ice cream of all time is Ben & Jerry's Peppermint Crunch. It's been increasingly hard for me to find so I've been indulging in B&J's Chocolate Therapy. I still love this ice cream so I'll tell you guys how I improvise.
Ingredients
- Chocolate Ice Cream (brand non specific)
- Chocolate chips
- Peppermint candies
- Chocolate malted milk balls
Directions
Scoop your chocolate ice cream in a bowl
Crush up a couple of peppermint candies
Sprinkle the crushed peppermints, chocolate chips and malted milk balls onto your ice cream
It's a cheap imitation but it gets the job done! Now get busy making these recipes so that you can curl up in a blanket with a bowl in hand and Gossip Girl or Orange Is The New Black (That show is straight nuts) on screen. Bon Appetite!
-Buttercup
What are some of your favorite comfort food?