Everyone has their own ideas about what makes a dish comforting. For some, it’s the melty and cheesy, while for others, it’s the mushy. Whatever the case may be, one thing we can all agree on is that comfort food should not be a hassle to make. That’s why we adore these simple recipes. They’re flavourful, filling and exactly what you want to eat when you’re craving some good, old-fashioned comfort food. They’re also entirely doable.
I love checking out comfort food recipes from cooking shows, simply because they are easy to create and make me drool. My absolute favourite cookery show is Nigella’s Bites. She’s like the goddess of the kitchen. For every dish she makes, she puts her heart and soul into it. The best part is, she doesn’t just highlight comfort food, but also comfort cooking. So whether you’re in bed or just lazing around, you could get a good dose of Nigella’s comfort food in your tummy. Here are 5 top picks of Nigella’s comfort food you can take to your kitchen today.
1. Brownies
This has got to be the best comfort food. They’re warm, sweet, chocolaty and they are the perfect comfort food for a blue day. With Nigella’s recipe, you’ll be sure to get gooey and decadent brownies in every bite. Brownies are easier and quicker to make than cake (don’t even bother decorating it!) and the ingredients are pretty basic.
For this recipe, you’ll need:
- 375g soft unsalted butter
- 375g best-quality dark chocolate
- 6 large eggs
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 500g caster sugar
- 225g plain flour
- salt
- 300g chopped walnuts
Start by pre-heating your oven to 180°C. In three separate bowls, mix melted butter and chocolate, then mix your eggs, sugar and vanilla and lastly, flour and salt. Once the butter-chocolate mixture cools off, incorporate all the ingredients together, giving it a good mix. Line your brownie pan and pour in the mixture. Bake for about 25 minutes. And out comes the perfect, gooey brownies to blow your blues away.
2. Mash
I love potatoes. They’re mushy and very filling. You could have potatoes at any time of the day. The best potato recipe would definitely be one that has tangy, cheesy and crunchy flavours. They are also super easy to make and you could have them warm or even cold. For this recipe, you’ll need:
- 2½ kg potatoes
- salt
- 175g soft unsalted butter
- 250ml sour cream
- nutmeg
- pepper
- 35g grated Parmesan
And for your toppings:
- 75g dried breadcrumbs
- 75g soft unsalted butter
- 50g grated Parmesan
Boil your potatoes till they’re soft and reserve 2 cups of the boiled potato water. In a pan, melt your butter and sour cream. Pour the mixture over your boiled potato and mash them gently while adding in the reserved potato water. Then, add some pepper, salt and nutmeg according to your taste. Once you’re satisfied with the texture, place your mashed potatoes in an ovenproof dish. When it’s time to serve, top your mash potatoes with lumpy breadcrumbs and butter mix and some grated parmesan. Pop it into the oven for 30 minutes and enjoy!
3. Mac and Cheese
Nothing says “comfort food” like melted cheese and pasta. Nigella’s macaroni and cheese recipe eliminates the need for a white sauce, which saves time while remaining delicious. You can use cheddar cheese or make your own variation. This recipe is a shortcut version and super easy to make. You’ll need:
- 250g macaroni
- 250g mature cheddar
- 250ml evaporated milk
- 2 large eggs
- nutmeg
- salt
- pepper
Cook the macaroni according to the packet’s instructions. In a mixer, put in your cheese, nutmeg and evaporated milk and blend them to blitz. No mixer? No problem, use your hands. Pour the mixture over your hot macaroni. Add salt and pepper and pop it into the oven for 10 to 15 minutes. Out comes your gorgeous and cheesy macaroni!
4. Sausages and Onion Roast
If you prefer something meaty but also easy to make, then grab some sausages. Sausages are filling, flavourful and, most importantly, versatile – you can have them for breakfast or as appetizers. A classic combo are sausages and vegetables. But looking for something a little heartier? Check out this easy recipe.
You’ll need:
- 5tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1¼ kg pork sausages (or any sausage of your choice)
- 6 red onions
- 6 leeks
- thyme
- salt
- black pepper
Heat some oil in a pan and toss your sausages. Place the onions, leeks, and thyme sprigs on the bottoms of your roasting pan. Once your sausages are done, arrange them nicely on top of the veggies. Sprinkle some salt. pepper and drizzle the leftover oil over the sausages. Pop the roasting pan into the oven for about an hour, stirring every 20 minutes to ensure your veggies are silky and soft. Once cooked, remove the thyme and serve while hot.
5. Meatballs
Meatballs are a popular comfort food all over the world because they are inexpensive, delicious and simple to prepare. When it comes to these delectable spheres, I’m sure we all think of the huge Italian variety, or saucy Italian-American-style meatballs – but their counterparts can be found anywhere. Meatballs are always a safe bet. These bite-sized morsels could be the ultimate comfort food. The trick to a perfect meatball is the high content of fat – and you can even use two different meats for a better tasting meatball.
For the meatball:
- 250g minced pork
- 250g minced beef
- 1 large egg
- 2 tbsp freshly grated Parmesan
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 3 tbsp semolina or breadcrumbs
- black pepper
- salt
For the sauce:
- 1 onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 700g tomato puree
- sugar
- salt
- pepper
- 100ml full fat milk
Mix your minced meats and roll them into a ball. Place them on a baking tray and let them set in the refrigerator. For your sauce, blend the onion, garlic and oregano into a paste. In a pan, heat some butter and oil, and pour in the blended mixture. Cook it for about 10 minutes till it softens. Slowly add in tomato puree, salt and sugar. Stir in the milk and drop in your meatballs gently. Don’t turn your meatballs till they turn brown, because they might break. Cook for about 20 minutes and give a quick taste to check your seasoning.
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