Comfort Food Ideas To Get Through Election Week
There's going to be a lot of noise this week; I'm going to eat through it.
It’s election week in the United States, and everyone seems to be a bit on edge. At the very least, I’m on edge. Things will end with either a celebration or a commiseration, and in both cases, we’ll probably need some comfort food.
So here we go - some thought starters, joy-bringers, and - let’s face it - waist expanders.
Evergreen Comfort
Chicken Stew with Biscuits - This is my favorite entry in the pot-pie genre, even if it technically isn’t a pot pie. The stew from Queen Ina Garten is thick and chunky, and if you add corn and red pepper, you’re in for a great time. To make life easier, use some Pillsbury Grands and watch them rise, hopefully like your spirits.
The #1 Chicken - Known formally as Sticky Chili Chicken with Hot & Sour Pineapple, I’ve evoked this Alison Roman banger time and time again. It is truly THE top chicken in my quiver, and perfect to alleviate some midweek anxiety.
Pan Sushi Dynamite - The joy of sushi, the rush of a sweet sauce, the hug of a mayo-forward casserole: pan sushi dynamite has it all. Don’t be modest. Eat the whole thing yourself.
Sweet Potato Casserole - Why do we have to wait three weeks to enjoy sweet potato casserole on Thanksgiving? Let’s fast track it. Toni Tipton-Martin has my current go-to recipe for this dish. It’s great.
Gratin Of Brussels Sprouts, Gruyere, And Prosciutto - Stressful times call for cheese - lots of it and melted. Joshua McFadden of Six Seasons delivers a soul-satisfying gratin that generates more flavor than its simple ingredients suggest.
Grilled Cheese - I mean…
Creamy Sesame Turmeric Dip - Maybe all we need are some chips and a creamy dip. I will never turn down a tub of guacamole, but my choice for Election week is this Alison Roman dip that stars cream cheese and sesame seeds, two of my favorite ingredients. We’re basically 66% of the way to a bagel moment.
Dwaeji Bulgogi (Spicy Pork Bulgogi) - A pile of sweet, fatty, spicy, and garlicky Korean pork may be exactly what you need this week. The recipe I use is from some Youtube video I found in 2010. I don’t remember the link at this point; so apologies to the original author. Here’s a PDF:
Ribs - Of course, if we’re talking about pork, we can never overlook ribs. I’ve been a ardent fan of Tyler Florence’s Ultimate Barbecued Ribs, which make your kitchen smell amazing and can be cooked entirely in an oven. Just know the recipe takes much longer than described.
Pasta
This may be the ultimate pasta moment. Here are some of my favorite comforting classics.
The Bolognese - Tomato, meat sauce, pasta. Done.
Brown buttered squash bake - It’s like pumpkin ravioli in brown butter sauce, but in pasta bake form. Love this dish by Colu Henry. Sadly, I have no link for it. But if you have Back Pocket Pasta, please turn to page 151.
Ultra-Gooey Stovetop Mac and Cheese Recipe - Comfort food sometimes comes down to one thing and one thing only: mac ‘n’ cheese. I love this recipe by Kenji López-Alt. It reminds me of the frozen Stouffers Mac and Cheese that I grew up on, which is maybe the highest compliment I can give?
Rigatoni with Confit Tomatoes and Burrata - I only recently discovered this pasta from The Dinner Party Project, and yeah, this is a comfort bomb.
Fried garlic noodles - Sheldon Simeon’s garlic bomb will keep vampires away, and maybe also gloomy thoughts.
World’s Best Lasagna - There are a lot of excellent lasagnas out there - Ina Garten and Alison Roman have two killer recipes - but this week calls for bringing out the big guns. We’re talking about the famous Allrecipes World’s Best Lasagna, which sits at just under 21k 5-star reviews. This recipe is so notorious that its late creator, John Chandler, became a minor celebrity. I made it once, and it did in fact live up to the hype. This recipe does take some time, but that’s time you can shut out the world and just focus on stirring some sauce.
Soup
Soup may be the answer. The only answer.
Corn Chowder - I believe corn chowder should be enjoyed all year round, not just the summer. This might be the week to test this theory out.
Cauliflower and Celery Root Soup - Warm, cozy, reassuring. Ina Garten does it again.
Matzoh Ball Soup - Don’t overthink this one. Use the recipe on the back of the matzoh meal box, but be sure to add extra garlic and parsley to the matzoh balls because why not. Oh, and if you’re using carrots and celery in your broth, puree some of it up to add some wonderful richness to the soup.
Chocolate
When all else fails, chocolate.
Chocolate Cheesecake - I’ve been making this chocolate cheesecake since I was a kid, and it has always been there for me when I’ve needed it most (and honestly, when I haven’t needed it most too).
Vegan Chocolate Pudding with Cinnamon and Chile - Mark Bittman found a way to create near-instant pudding with this recipe (I leave out the cinnamon and chile, but I occasionally add Grand Marnier because I’m fancy). Alternatively, you can just buy some pudding.
Cocoa Brownies with Browned Butter and Walnuts - I’m going on 15 years of this being my go-to brownie recipe. Yes, it outpaces Ina Garten’s Outrageous Brownies. It’s that good.
Fudgy Devil’s Food Sheet Cake - Over the summer I fell in love with this chocolate sheet cake from Polina Chesnakova, and honestly it may be the exact thing I need to get through this election.
Ice cream. Lots of ice cream - Let’s just leave it there.
What are your favorite comfort foods? I know I have barely scratched the surface on this category.
I am eternally indebted to you for getting sushi pan dynamite on the regular dinner rotation Ben!! Sometimes all I need for comfort is a big fat piece of sourdough toast drowning in really good butter (as Ina would say)
"Alternatively, you can just buy some pudding." - November 5, in a nutshell