What are the quintessential foods that you have to have to feel like grandma just gave you a hug, that you just snuggled under a blanket and cozied up to a fire, that pair of sweats you have so broken in that you will not part with them.... 

For me, I am definitely a mood eater and there are just times I want comfort. I have to say some of my favorites are....

Breaded and fried pork chops, with milk gravy, mashed potatoes, my mom's (or my as I learned her secret) homemade applesauce, and peas/corn/green beans

Pan Fried Chicken

Country Fried Steak (OK - so dredge a piece of meat in some seasoned flour, and fry it and I am at home 8) )

Chili

Lasagna

Jambalaya

Homemade Chicken noodle soup or chicken and noodles

Even better beef n noodles

Beef salad

Meatloaf

Spaghetti - my ultimate comfort food.  Whenever I'm stressed out or I've had a bad day I make a big pot.  Works EVERY time. 

Soup - especially my mom's brocolli soup.,

Mashed potatoes and gravy.

Cereal

Ice Cream

Spaghetti - my ultimate comfort food.  Whenever I'm stressed out or I've had a bad day I make a big pot.  Works EVERY time. 

Soup - especially my mom's brocolli soup.,

Mashed potatoes and gravy.

Cereal



mmm spaghetti is good, one of my favorites, but it is not a comfort food - I wonder why :-\\  Now I am contemplating what it takes to make a comfort food????

I agree Soup is a comfort food, seems like I am always making soup of some kind or another!

Yep - mashed potatoes and gravy are it!

Cereal, I have never gotten into eating (lactose intolerant all of my life, I remember eating a bowl of cereal for breakfast before school and having to lose it in the bushes before I ever got to school) :P  BUT Oatmeal, especially maple and brown sugar or my favorite Cinnamon Spice 8)

Ben & Jerry's....

Duuuude!

I know they sold out to Unilever but it's still great ice cream!

http://www.inthe00s.com/smile/12/icescream.gif

Turkey, mashed taters, gravy, stuffing, cranberries.

Vegetable-beef stoup.

Potato soup.

Garlic bread or Italian bread warmed in the oven with melted butter.

I like Munster on Stoned Wheat Thins (let's be mature). 
;)

I like a nice glass of of Merlot...

Yes, this is comfort foods.  What do you mean wine isn't food?
http://www.inthe00s.com/smile/13/icon_scratch.gif

Ramen noodles al dente.  A familiar treat from my dorm days.  Still nice sometimes...and there ain't nothin' cheaper!  It's still laughable how cheap that stuff is.  I guess there's not much to it.

I also like a cheese-boiga.

Since when do you like a cheese-boiga?

--Raging Bull

Ben & Jerry's....

Duuuude!

I know they sold out to Unilever but it's still great ice cream!

http://www.inthe00s.com/smile/12/icescream.gif
Haven't really enjoyed Ben & Jerry since they put "Wavy Gravy" in the graveyard :\'(

Turkey, mashed taters, gravy, stuffing, cranberries.

Vegetable-beef stoup.

Potato soup.

Garlic bread or Italian bread warmed in the oven with melted butter.
OY - thanksgiving dinner sounds sooo good right now.  I think I should head to the nearest old people buffet, I think they serve turkey and stuffing all the time. 

I love soups, vegetable-beef is one of our staples - yum  Al
My daughters love Potato soup, especially baked Potato soup!  It just does not like me.

I like Munster on Stoned Wheat Thins (let's be mature). 
;)

I like a nice glass of of Merlot...

Yes, this is comfort foods.  What do you mean wine isn't food?
http://www.inthe00s.com/smile/13/icon_scratch.gif

Ramen noodles al dente.  A familiar treat from my dorm days.  Still nice sometimes...and there ain't nothin' cheaper!  It's still laughable how cheap that stuff is.  I guess there's not much to it.

I also like a cheese-boiga.

Since when do you like a cheese-boiga?

--Raging Bull
Ramen is probably one of the best, cheap, easiest comfort foods....  We always make it when we are sick.

nice hot bowl of soup.

Fried chicken and beer makes Al happy.  ;)

Fried chicken and beer makes Al happy.  ;)
O0

Macaroni and cheese

Corn on the cob

Mashed potatos and butter

Biscuits

Soup

Mom's rice n broccoli n cheese casserole (hubby doesn't like it so I never make it)

Meatloaf

Hubby's recipe for beef bowl (rice, pinto beans and plain rice)

nice hot bowl of soup.


Hits the spot on a really cold day. 
:)

Fried chicken and beer makes Al happy.  ;)


When you're an angel you'll get all the fried chicken and beer you want.  You can even drive loaded up there!
http://www.inthe00s.com/smile/15/thumbsup.gif

(Ahem, I mean, since it's DUI heaven in nobody gets arrested, hurt, or killed!  One,two, or possibly all three will happen to you here.)
http://www.inthe00s.com/smile/10/ticking.gif

http://img.walgreens.com/dbimagecache/03010055822_220x220_a.jpg

Forgive me father for I have sinned...

Toast.  Any kind.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wtfNE4z6a8

I once had a similar argument with a waiter about a milkshake.

BTW, I didn't get my milkshake.
:D

Hits the spot on a really cold day. 
:)



Chicken Noodle

Hot Chocolate and a Cookie.

OY - thanksgiving dinner sounds sooo good right now.  I think I should head to the nearest old people buffet, I think they serve turkey and stuffing all the time. 

I love soups, vegetable-beef is one of our staples - yum  Al
My daughters love Potato soup, especially baked Potato soup!  It just does not like me.


I usually cook a Thanksgiving type of dinner a few times during the year, mostly for the leftovers.  I really like turkey sandwiches.

Chicken Pot Pie, with crust on bottom and top.  Store bought isn't like that, it has to be made at home.

Ice Cream
Pizza
Tomato soup with alot of black pepper, alittle garlic, alittle honey, alot of ground cayenne pepper and hot sauce and mixed with a bunch of crumbled Triscuits(I usually make this once or twice a month at the most)

Chicken Pot Pie, with crust on bottom and top.  Store bought isn't like that, it has to be made at home.


I like Chicken Pot Pie.

-Pasta-any kind (spaghetti, macaroni, egg noodles, roman, etc.) I'm not too particular as to what to have on it-whether it be red sauce, Alfredo, mac & cheese (sorry Q), gravy, etc. Sometimes I have had spaghetti with melted butter & garlic powder. 
-Milk chocolate.
-Baked chicken and/or turkey (as in Thanksgiving).
-Stew. (I make a wicked stew-of of the very few things I actually cook.)


Cat

Mmmm - I am sooo loving this thread, it gives me a warm fuzzy every time I come to it

Franks 'n' beans.

;)

Franks 'n' beans.

;)



and some sauerkraut too.

Franks 'n' beans.

;)




and some sauerkraut too.


Sadly, that makes everyone around you decidedly uncomfortable.

Sadly, that makes everyone around you decidedly uncomfortable.


Beans, beans,
The musical fruit,
The more eat the more you toot,
The more you toot the better you feel
So lets have BEANS for another meal!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6dm9rN6oTs

Ben And Jerry's.

Pot roast with carrots and beef gravy.


Hummus

And since the holidays are fastly approaching, I'm looking forward to crudites veggie, cheese, antipasta trays with dip (I can't be bothered to cut up veggies any other time  :-[ ??? ) and various cheese logs and dips.  yum

MMMMM - I just had some fried chicken with mashed potatoes and pan gravy ::)  YUMMY

MMMMM - I just had some fried chicken with mashed potatoes and pan gravy ::)  YUMMY


That sounds mighty fine, ma'am.  Top it off with apple pie and ice cream and a cup of coffee...and it's perfect!
http://www.inthe00s.com/smile/06/kitty.gif

Goddamn that sounds good!

That sounds mighty fine, ma'am.  Top it off with apple pie and ice cream and a cup of coffee...and it's perfect!
http://www.inthe00s.com/smile/06/kitty.gif


sounds delish.

I am thinking of making... apple crisp, my mom left some apples at my house, and I think Apple crisp is sounding like some beautiful fall comfort food 8)

I am thinking of making... apple crisp, my mom left some apples at my house, and I think Apple crisp is sounding like some beautiful fall comfort food 8)



topped with some cinnamon?  :)

Coffee and a few cookies.

topped with some cinnamon?  :)
There is cinnamon in the apple crisp - but I have never topped it with cinnamon...

Breakfast Bowl.

It's Thanksgiving weekend in Canada so I'll be enjoying roast turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes & gravy, broccoli with cheese sauce and a couple of glasses of wine. We are putting the turkey in the oven in the next couple of hours, should be eating about 6 pm! Very comforting and very thankful too!

PB And J sandwiches.

I stopped at Marie Callenders and picked up some potato cheese soup and corn bread for dinner, and chocolate silk pie for dessert.  I had a difficult day at work today, and that seemed like the perfect, comfy dinner.  It soooo hit the spot!

I stopped at Marie Callenders and picked up some potato cheese soup and corn bread for dinner, and chocolate silk pie for dessert.  I had a difficult day at work today, and that seemed like the perfect, comfy dinner.  It soooo hit the spot!


That sounds delicious,I love Marie Callenders.

That sounds mighty fine, ma'am.  Top it off with apple pie and ice cream and a cup of coffee...and it's perfect!
http://www.inthe00s.com/smile/06/kitty.gif


Apple pie a' la mode is my all time favorite dessert.

I stopped at Marie Callenders and picked up some potato cheese soup and corn bread for dinner, and chocolate silk pie for dessert.  I had a difficult day at work today, and that seemed like the perfect, comfy dinner.  It soooo hit the spot!
I only though Marie Callender's were frozen tv dinners - little did I know that it was a restaurant - sounds yummy 8)

I only though Marie Callender's were frozen tv dinners - little did I know that it was a restaurant - sounds yummy 8)


There's also a Bob Evans Restaurant and they make Breakfast Bowls.

Apple pie a' la mode is my all time favorite dessert.


yummy!

Pretzels and beer.

BEER IS GOOD FOOD!
http://www.inthe00s.com/smile/02/beerchug.gif

Pretzels and beer.

BEER IS GOOD FOOD!
http://www.inthe00s.com/smile/02/beerchug.gif


That's not a comfort food. ::)

That's not a comfort food. ::)


It's more comfortable after you take a leak.
;)

It's more comfortable after you take a leak.
;)


then it's best to drink water.

Bob Evans Breakfast Bowl with coffee.

Apple pie a' la mode is my all time favorite dessert.



I was just telling someone about an ice cream sundae we have around here.  Hot apple sundae.  Ice cream with an apple compote topping, whipped cream and a cherry on top.  If you like apple pie a la mode your knees would buckle for this. Oh, and the apple compote is made by the stand with locally grown apples.  Can't get much better than that.

I was just telling someone about an ice cream sundae we have around here.  Hot apple sundae.  Ice cream with an apple compote topping, whipped cream and a cherry on top.  If you like apple pie a la mode your knees would buckle for this. Oh, and the apple compote is made by the stand with locally grown apples.  Can't get much better than that.


:\'( :\'( :\'(

I was just telling someone about an ice cream sundae we have around here.  Hot apple sundae.  Ice cream with an apple compote topping, whipped cream and a cherry on top.  If you like apple pie a la mode your knees would buckle for this. Oh, and the apple compote is made by the stand with locally grown apples.  Can't get much better than that.


Yum,sounds delicious. :)

I was just telling someone about an ice cream sundae we have around here.  Hot apple sundae.  Ice cream with an apple compote topping, whipped cream and a cherry on top.  If you like apple pie a la mode your knees would buckle for this. Oh, and the apple compote is made by the stand with locally grown apples.  Can't get much better than that.
Jealous!

For me mashed potato, especially cheesy mash. Actually any potato is good in my book.

Custard. My Mum always used to make me custard when I was little and either unhappy or unwell.

Macaroni cheese.

Heinz tomato soup

Cake.

Ben And Jerry's.

Ben And Jerry's.


Are you getting paid for every time you drop their name? ;D ;)

My mother's roast and a bacon and egg roll with bbq sauce

(not together mind you  ;) )

Are you getting paid for every time you drop their name? ;D ;)


Well,it's a good ice cream.

Well,it's a good ice cream.
It is an expensive ice cream...  Really any ice cream with that high of a milk fat content is good... 

Are you getting paid for every time you drop their name? ;D ;)



Actually, I should since they are from Vermont.  ;) :D ;D ;D ;D



Cat

Actually, I should since they are from Vermont.  ;) :D ;D ;D ;D



Cat


Now they're from Unilever!

Now they're from Unilever!



Yeah. That's sucks.  >:(



Cat

Sandwich and a hot bowl of soup.

Pastrami on rye. 

Hot pastrami on fresh rye.
http://www.inthe00s.com/smile/07/pinklove2.gif

You can add horseradish to spice it up.  No lettuce and tomatoes.  Most of the time they're off anyway and they interrupt the texture of sandwich!

with

Egg cream.  It doesn't matter what order you do the milk, seltzer, and the syrup, but it has to be U-Bet Syrup.
I learned this in New York.  They didn't do egg creams in Boston.

Pastrami on rye. 

Hot pastrami on fresh rye.
http://www.inthe00s.com/smile/07/pinklove2.gif

You can add horseradish to spice it up.  No lettuce and tomatoes.  Most of the time they're off anyway and they interrupt the texture of sandwich!

with

Egg cream.  It doesn't matter what order you do the milk, seltzer, and the syrup, but it has to be U-Bet Syrup.
I learned this in New York.  They didn't do egg creams in Boston.


How about mustard on the sandwich?

How about mustard on the sandwich?


I get mine with mayo, mustard, and Swiss. 
:)

Caramel Latte and a Donut.

Caramel Latte and a Donut.


That's tasty at 8:30, but not so nice churning in your guts at 10:00!
http://www.inthe00s.com/smile/14/sad3.gif

That's tasty at 8:30, but not so nice churning in your guts at 10:00!
http://www.inthe00s.com/smile/14/sad3.gif


Well I have it after a big dinner sort of keeps me awake for a few hours.

Haven't made it in years, but just got the incgredients for it!  Tuna noodle casserole!  Nothing says home and homemade like that!  You don't find it at a restaurant.

Also creamed peas and salmon patties!

A nice hot bowl of soup with a sandwich.

Haven't made it in years, but just got the incgredients for it!  Tuna noodle casserole!  Nothing says home and homemade like that!  You don't find it at a restaurant.



I love tuna noodle casserole but hubby is very adament about his dislike for it (his mother used to make a funky version.)  So I never make it or au gratin potatoes.  Oddly enough that is what I would really like to make, but seems a waste to make it just for myself.  I might just have to do just that soon though. 

I love tuna noodle casserole but hubby is very adament about his dislike for it (his mother used to make a funky version.)  So I never make it or au gratin potatoes.  Oddly enough that is what I would really like to make, but seems a waste to make it just for myself.  I might just have to do just that soon though. 


Tuna Noodle casserole is my favorite,though I like it cold.

Tuna Noodle casserole is my favorite,though I like it cold.


;D

My nana would have loved you!  She used to try and dish that stuff up to me straight outta the icebox!  You and my gramps would have shoveled down cold tuna noodle casserole together while I sat it out with a Fluffernutter!

That's right.  I used to look forward to Fluffernutters at nana's.  My mom said it was okay there.  She wouldn't make them at our house on account of Marshmallow Fluff being mostly sugar and egg whites.

http://www.grubgrade.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/Fluffernutter.jpg

http://www.inthe00s.com/smile/13/icon_bounce.gif

Marshmallow fluff originated in Massachusetts and so did my mom's family!

;D

My nana would have loved you!  She used to try and dish that stuff up to me straight outta the icebox!  You and my gramps would have shoveled down cold tuna noodle casserole together while I sat it out with a Fluffernutter!

That's right.  I used to look forward to Fluffernutters at nana's.  My mom said it was okay there.  She wouldn't make them at our house on account of Marshmallow Fluff being mostly sugar and egg whites.

http://www.grubgrade.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/Fluffernutter.jpg

http://www.inthe00s.com/smile/13/icon_bounce.gif

Marshmallow fluff originated in Massachusetts and so did my mom's family!


Fluffernutters are quite tasty. :)

http://i497.photobucket.com/albums/rr334/seamermar/At%20home/Paellavalencianaorwellseasonedrice0.jpg

To me nothing tastes better than a good hand-made paella.

A ring of rice which people circles around to enjoy food and folks.
We have a very real ritual as we eat such a typical dish.
The traditional way to deal with paella is without plates.
Everybody holds his own spoon.
And as they shovel their path through the frying pan,
the good mood haunts and dwells on every guest.
Yes to me paella is a very comfort food
to please guts and souls, indeed the best.  ;)

http://i497.photobucket.com/albums/rr334/seamermar/At%20home/Paellavalencianaorwellseasonedrice0.jpg

To me nothing tastes better than a good hand-made paella.

A ring of rice which people circles around to enjoy food and folks.
We have a very real ritual as we eat such a typical dish.
The traditional way to deal with paella is without plates.
Everybody holds his own spoon.
And as they shovel their path through the frying pan,
the good mood haunts and dwells on every guest.
Yes to me paella is a very comfort food
to please guts and souls, indeed the best.  ;)





That looks delicious.

To me nothing tastes better than a good hand-made paella.


OK, just how do you know when the stuff at the bottom is nice-and-crusty, but not burnt-to-a-crisp.  Sound?  Smell?  What's the deal here?  (Or is it my fault for using a regular non-stick frying pan, which is deeper than the pan you depicted?  Short of putting the pan onto a large gas/charcoal grill, I don't have a stovetop burner that would spread the heat evenly across a pan as large as the one depicted.)

I've tried making this dish a few times, and while it's always been good ("OK" - no crust.  "good" - crust across about half the bottom of the pan but not much around the edges), I've never gotten it right (perfectly even crust over the bottom of the entire pan).

OK, just how do you know when the stuff at the bottom is nice-and-crusty, but not burnt-to-a-crisp.  Sound?  Smell?  What's the deal here?  (Or is it my fault for using a regular non-stick frying pan, which is deeper than the pan you depicted?  Short of putting the pan onto a large gas/charcoal grill, I don't have a stovetop burner that would spread the heat evenly across a pan as large as the one depicted.)

I've tried making this dish a few times, and while it's always been good ("OK" - no crust.  "good" - crust across about half the bottom of the pan but not much around the edges), I've never gotten it right (perfectly even crust over the bottom of the entire pan).



If you fail with the paella, fix yourself a Fluffernutter and start again!

http://www.madeinmelskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/058.jpg?w=300

My favorite for degenerate Chinese take-out.  Unfortunately, they don't deliver Mai Tai's to your house.  I always end up chowing down all the Sweet & Sour Chicken because I don't like it as leftovers. 

Therefore, I keep more of these on hand:

http://uslifestyle.info/products/Tums%20Ultra.jpg

If you fail with the paella, fix yourself a Fluffernutter and start again!

http://www.madeinmelskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/058.jpg?w=300

My favorite for degenerate Chinese take-out.  Unfortunately, they don't deliver Mai Tai's to your house.  I always end up chowing down all the Sweet & Sour Chicken because I don't like it as leftovers. 

Therefore, I keep more of these on hand:

http://uslifestyle.info/products/Tums%20Ultra.jpg


I love Sweet And Sour Chicken Or Pork.

OK, just how do you know when the stuff at the bottom is nice-and-crusty, but not burnt-to-a-crisp.  Sound?  Smell?  What's the deal here?  (Or is it my fault for using a regular non-stick frying pan, which is deeper than the pan you depicted?  Short of putting the pan onto a large gas/charcoal grill, I don't have a stovetop burner that would spread the heat evenly across a pan as large as the one depicted.)

I've tried making this dish a few times, and while it's always been good ("OK" - no crust.  "good" - crust across about half the bottom of the pan but not much around the edges), I've never gotten it right (perfectly even crust over the bottom of the entire pan).



A hard question to cast, I guess dear Foo Bar  ::)

The first thing is the perfect pan, if not you have little or none chances to get the rice in good  cooking and taste. ( sorry once more for my short English).
The one depicted, of course. Taking into account that the layer of rice has to be very thin, better one inch than two. The cooking time is  twenty minutes about.
The better source of fire is wood but not any wood is good , it must be from orange tree, holm oak or similar.
Though it's hard to control the heat of flames, we usually get it from gas, just a special tool that spreads fire properly.
I first start fire only in the middle of the pan frying chicken and rabbit, then green beams and red pepper and other legumes. You must fry them well, and then to add a good stock to finally cook all in the pan before pooring the rice.
But take good care in measuring well rice and water...it's a matter of practicing on and on. a guide of it is to make a little ridge of rice in the middle of the pan as a diameter, which crops out of stock.
You must carefully spread the rice aroung the pan and then DON'T TOUCH IT anynore.

Well Foo Bar I did my best in telling you, now it's your turn to dare and try.

It's gonna be yummy anyway  ;)

If you fail with the paella, fix yourself a Fluffernutter and start again!

http://www.madeinmelskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/058.jpg?w=300

My favorite for degenerate Chinese take-out.  Unfortunately, they don't deliver Mai Tai's to your house.  I always end up chowing down all the Sweet & Sour Chicken because I don't like it as leftovers.  

Therefore, I keep more of these on hand:

http://uslifestyle.info/products/Tums%20Ultra.jpg


I think I'm gonna try to make this dish as well MaxwellSmart
it seems a meal that smells very well and smart ;)

I think I'm gonna try to make this dish as well MaxwellSmart
it seems a meal that smells very well and smart ;)


I also had that for dinner tonight.

Hey Howard, maybe you cooked it for yourself ?

There's plenty of ways of cooking chicken and rice, and I wanna know the more the better.
So start to learn to Seamermar  8) ;)


Et bon apetite

Paco

Hey Howard, maybe you cooked it for yourself ?

There's plenty of ways of cooking chicken and rice, and I wanna know the more the better.
So start to learn to Seamermar  8) ;)


Et bon apetite

Paco


No I had it take out.

Then  do you never cook Howard ?

Sometimes when I'm short of time I get some take away, but I usually become cook at home for kids and wife and myself.

It's nice making meals when you got the time  ;)

Then  do you never cook Howard ?

Sometimes when I'm short of time I get some take away, but I usually become cook at home for kids and wife and myself.

It's nice making meals when you got the time  ;)


I cook microwaveable food.

The microwave is the bachelor's best friend, besides the computer!

Because it's fun to talk to people...on great message boards -- such as this one.
:-\\

Hot Caramel Latte.

^YUM!  Yeah, caramel anything. 

^YUM!   Yeah, caramel anything.   


goes good with a donut.

^YUM!   Yeah, caramel anything.   


I love Milk Duds.  They're cheap and nasty junk food, but always satisfying.  Always brush your teeth after, and don't eat Milk Duds too cold if you have dental work you're trying to protect!
:)

I generally don't get caramel in caffeinated beverages, just cream or milk and sugar.  I do love caramel on an ice cream sundae though!

I love Milk Duds.  They're cheap and nasty junk food, but always satisfying.  Always brush your teeth after, and don't eat Milk Duds too cold if you have dental work you're trying to protect!
:)

I generally don't get caramel in caffeinated beverages, just cream or milk and sugar.  I do love caramel on an ice cream sundae though!



I love Milk Duds.

The microwave is the bachelor's best friend, besides the computer!

Because it's fun to talk to people...on great message boards -- such as this one.
:-\\


Not to go off topic but I can always tell a single guy when in the supermarket checkout lane. He usually has beer, frozen dinners, frozen pizza and something from the deli.  ;D

Zucchini and squash also gross me out.  :P :P :P

Zucchini and squash also gross me out.  :P :P :P


What's gross about it?

Not to go off topic but I can always tell a single guy when in the supermarket checkout lane. He usually has beer, frozen dinners, frozen pizza and something from the deli.  ;D


What are you stalking me?  You probably saved the ticket number from that pastrami sandwich today!
http://www.inthe00s.com/smile/13/laughing6.gif

BTW, I usually go for take-out pizza, rather than frozen.  One half hot tonight, the other half cold tomorrow. 
:)

What are you stalking me?  You probably saved the ticket number from that pastrami sandwich today!
http://www.inthe00s.com/smile/13/laughing6.gif

BTW, I usually go for take-out pizza, rather than frozen.  One half hot tonight, the other half cold tomorrow. 
:)


I like mine pepperoni or mushroom.

( Extended paella discussion omitted )

Well Foo Bar I did my best in telling you, now it's your turn to dare and try.

It's gonna be yummy anyway  ;)


This is true.  Every week this month I've made one, because it's good for at least two or three days' worth of food depending on what's available at work.  I got pretty close this afternoon, but didn't quite hit what I'd call a professional-grade paella.  That tip about not messing with it is important.  Mess with it all you want up to a certain point, but after that last stir through the pan, set a stopwatch.  Poke at a quarter of it, then another quarter of it, then a third quarter of it, and over the course of two or three paellas, you'll figure out that (a) for a given thickness or quantity of original ingredients, for (b) your pan, and (c) wherever the burner is set for your stove/rangetop, you'll get an idea for (d) how long it has to sit there undisturbed.

Practice makes perfect.  But yeah, what you said: even moderate failure is pretty tasty.  If it's undercooked (by which I mean the meat's fully-cooked, but none of the rice has gotten brown or crispy), just eat it.  If the rice is burnt to a crisp, just stir it into the rest and eat it.  If it's somewhere in between, you're getting pretty close.  The window between "burnt" and "rice" is pretty wide; at least 2-3 minutes (on my stove, using my pan, for the quantities I'm using), but you can reset the clock to zero by stirring everything together.

Butter flavored Grits and Biscuits with White Gravy

Baked mac-n-cheese readily comes to mind.

To me nothing tastes better than a good hand-made paella.


I went through a paella phase, and made some tasty stuff using the basic technique, but I've always failed at getting a good crusty socarrat at the bottom of the pan.  I came close (golden brown and tasty) a couple of times, but it's not quite right (almost black, crunchy, and I can't even consistently hit golden brown). 

Possible problems:
- Electric heat (I might be OK here, I can consistently get a good sear on a steak and still have it come out medium rare, but maybe it's not hot enough at the start, or I'm being too conservative at the end?)
- Pan (currently using a 15" non-stick pan, large, but it's not a true cast iron paella pan, which I could get hotter.)
- Rice (after finding out the hard way why standard white rice doesn't work, I've substituted arborio, but have yet to try the correct bomba)
- Fear (at the end, I find myself poking at the edge of the dish to see how it's developing, and maybe that the resulting moisture infiltration is spreading across the bottom of the pan and preventing the crust from developing?  Just how long do I have to let it sit there without touching it? :)

And now that I'm googling around does this article look about right, and/or which parts of it can I cheat on?

By the way, paella is one of those recipes that can scale really nicely.

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2423/5741790027_679365b5ff_z.jpg

If your pan is big enough, you can feed thousands.

Baked mac-n-cheese readily comes to mind.


I love mac and cheese.

bacon cheeseburger with fries and pickle.

Haluski
Chicken & Dumplings
Pizza
Broccoli Soup
Baked apple crisp

Haluski
Chicken & Dumplings
Pizza
Broccoli Soup
Baked apple crisp


Love Haluski, but good haluski is hard to find, even if there are alot of Polish people around here.  I'm addicted though.

I'd love someday to go to Ireland to try Colcannon which is similar (but also has mashed potatoes in it.  yum.)

Love Haluski, but good haluski is hard to find, even if there are alot of Polish people around here.  I'm addicted though.

I'd love someday to go to Ireland to try Colcannon which is similar (but also has mashed potatoes in it.  yum.)


I agree! I love the Haluski that is made with the little dough balls, rather than the regular noodles. We found a firehall around here, during Lent, and the fish fry. They had the BEST Haluski! I would go and just get an order of that! :)

Anything resembling something from Chef-Boyardee.  I also like pot roast.

Peanut butter toast with a banana and a cup of hot ovaltine!
:)

I was craving Hot Chocolate (drink) with whipped cream on top last night.  I guess it's a winter-y comfort food/drink for me.

peanut butter and jelly sandwich with a cup of coffee.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_K9T3tfL58qU/TOAFKKbVJFI/AAAAAAAAIJ0/cLMJyboE2es/s1600/hickorysticks.jpg

I love mac and cheese.

And ten years later, I still do. O0

I have so many but my mom’s no bake cookies and goulash are my go tos.

On our visit to a Chinese restaurant yesterday, it reminded me on how Chinese food is comfort food for me.

Another for me is my moms chocolate chip cookies and her chicken & noodles.

I agree Soup is a comfort food, seems like I am always making soup of some kind or another!


Hits the spot on a really cold day. 
:)

Absolutely! I can name several soups that comfort me on a cold day.

Last weekend I had a cup of clam chowder at a seafood eatery. It was definitely comforting. O0

Today I bought myself a Lindt Excellence 70% cacao dark chocolate bar for Valentine's day and I had some of it.  But I'm trying not to eat it all so I put an elastic band around the box and I put it in the butter compartment of the fridge so I wouldn't eat it all.  I love Lindt Excellence 70% cacao chocolate bar because it has some sugar in it but not so much sugar in it that it jacks me up.

egg-shaped recces bars for easter, penaunt butter and apple when I can't sleep and sometimes bubblegum flavoured ice cream mmmm😋