Comfort foods

[charliechaplinfan]

Food continues to rise in price, every time we go for a grocery shop it seems that something else has gone through the roof, we don't buy expensive food, we don't even buy much meat anymore. I've cut down on mince and eat Quorn instead, it goes further, soaks up a flavour better and is healthier and half the price. Fish can be extortionate, to say we are an island nation some fish is so expensive, Libby and I love fish, Libby's favorite is smoked mackerel which thankfully is one of the cheaper fish, sardines are a good option too. I make my own pizzas, pitta breads, cakes, sometimes yoghurt, now I've turned to making my own pasta. Does anyone have any good recipes for home made pasta dishes?

[JackFavell]

Everything here has risen in price as well, even the things that used to be inexpensive.

What is Quorn?

My favorite pasta dish is very simple - I use whatever pasta I have around, cooking it separately. Start with some oil and garlic in a pan, saute it for a minute, then add some uncooked asparagus or broccoli if you can find it on sale. Any green will do. When it barely turns bright green, then add some spinach or chard, again, any green leaf plant is fine (except for the tough ones that need a long cook) - wilt the greens and add some chopped tomatoes at the end. You just want to barely soften the tomatoes, and wilt the leaves, then mix it all with the pasta of your choice. You can add anchovies or a little anchovy paste to boost the flavor if you like.

[charliechaplinfan]

I love anchiovies, they're one of my favorite ingredients, I love them on homemade pizzas. Unfortunately Chris isn't keen although he can stomach a couple in a pasta sauce. You pasta recipe sounds delicious. I love spinach too.

Quorn is vegetarian meat substitute, does that make sense? I love the burgers and the Quorn mince, especially the mince, it's soya and never contains gristle unlike most mince these days, it takes the flavour of sauces or chillis so well and is so much cheaper.

[JackFavell]

No one in my house knows I use the anchovy paste. Though it turns out Alice loves fish, so it probably wouldn't matter if I did tell.

[charliechaplinfan]

It's perhaps the best way to approach it. I bought some spinach and asparagus today, I'll do a nice pasta dish tomorrow.

[moirafinnie]

Does anyone have a quasi-healthy chili recipe? I am using ground turkey this year, but would like any opinions, please. Thank you.

[JackFavell]

I made some last year with ground turkey, and I can't tell you what I did that made it turn out so well except that I spiced it heavily, but not hotly. I used more of the spices than I usually do to make regular chili - cumin, oregano, paprika, chili powder, cayenne and I think I added a half a bay leaf for only a short time. Sometimes I add some hot peppers for heat if there are those who like it that way. I do season the meat before adding the tomato and the rest of the seasonings or else it comes out flavorless.

I also cooked the chicken chili for a really long time. The long cooking also seems to mask the difference in flavor and texture of the meat.

[knitwit45]

I tried a white chili recipe from http://www.allrecipes.com that is really good. And the recipe for Chef John's Macaroni and Cheese....ZOWIE!
Just did a beef stew in the crock pot with homemade (well, me and the breadmaker) bread....heaven.

[ChiO]

Does anyone have a quasi-healthy chili recipe? (emphasis added)

Yes. I keep it with my heart-healthy bacon recipes and list of comedy noirs.

It's a small file.

[JackFavell]

Ha!

[RedRiver]

Needless to say, I haven't read this entire thread. But I love bite size Peanut Butter Cups! So much, that I can't even keep them in the house regularly. Only if I plan on eating 20 in one sitting! I like pizza too. Can't get enough of it. I almost envy the young people who work at those establishments. The job sucks. It doesn't pay well. But FREE PIZZA!

To me, eggs are a comfort food. Fried, scrambled, poached or burned. I like eggs. But it doesn't count if I make them myself. I go to a restaurant, read, have coffee, and wait for my eggs!

[charliechaplinfan]

Food never tastes as good to me if I've made it, if someone else has it seems to give it that extra kick.

[Sue Sue Applegate]

Chocolate, of course... and fresh bread rolls and butter....

One of my favorite comfort foods from college is my Roy Roger's bowl filled with barbecue beans and topped with fresh Lay's potato chips crunched up all over it.

And then about twelve boxes of Chocolate Mint Girl Scout Cookies......February is one of my favorite months.....GIRL SCOUT COOKIE MONTH!

[moirafinnie]

Thanks for all the great ideas for chili. I will definitely be trying them, especially the white chili. In the end I made a fairly traditional red chili with kidney beans, tomatoes, onions, celery, carrots, mushrooms, garlic and some fiery seasoning for the annual virgin sacrifice and gathering of the tribes ritual that we call the Super Bowl here in the States. I added no oil or butter to the mix, after browning the ground turkey in a non-stick pan, substituted some chicken broth (homemade), added the vegetables, seasonings, etc., and then put the whole magilla into a slow cooker for 5 hours on low heat.

Btw, ChiO, do "comedy noirs" include anything with Timothy Carey?

[CineMaven]

...And you cook too. Geez!

Okay, I'll give you my address and I'd like you to ship a bowl of chili to me.

My Superbowl meal will consist of UTZ Popcorn, UTZ Cheese Popcorn, UTZ Barbecue Potato Chips, Cheetos Puffs and I'll top it off with Roasted Seaweed strips and some Grey Goose and Cranberry juice to wash it all down. (Uhmmmm...I like the saltier UTZ brand rather than LAYS or WISE).

GO BLUE!!!