A Week of Comfort

Here in the States it's going to be a busy week what with all of the shopping, prepping and cooking in anticipation of the traditional annual American feast known as Thanksgiving. It's a great celebration of bounty and blessing. So, as we, too, will be busy preparing and traveling over the river and through the woods (literally) I thought we'd run a bunch of photos taken over the past month or so featuring our favorite comfort foods.



A few weeks back we got into a discussion with friends of our childhood comfort foods and we all had to mention those Saturday night frank and beans dinners from our grade school days. So, we prepared this meal the same way Ma used to make, complete with the toasted brown molasses bread slathered with butter. It may not be stylish or hip at the moment but ... ah the memories.



Grilled Alaskan salmon is one of my all time favorites and a regular staple on my table. We marinade it, poach it in the microwave then grill it to form that caramelized crust on the outside. Served here over a bed of field greens dressed with a champagne vinaigrette and sprinkled with dry roasted almond slivers.



We made this delicious lasagna with Barilla no cook flat sheets. We make a home made bolognese sauce with ground veal and sirloin and use that for the thick first layer. The second thick layer is ricotta with egg and bread crumbs and everything smothered in more sauce then grated mozzarella.



What is better on a cold day than a warm bowl of tomato soup with a grilled cheese sandwich? Our tomato soup is dusted with basil and the panini sandwich is grilled with white truffle oil.



This version of grilled salmon is served with a filling, creamy macaroni and cheese and steamed broccoli.



The leftover bolognese was put to good use here with rigatoni reali and finely grated pecorino romano.



We can't forget breakfast and what is more comforting than the perfectly boiled egg. Rip that buttered toast up and dip it in!



Filling, comforting, warm and delicious chicken and dumplings. Home-made dumplings are surprisingly easy to make and the chicken can be simmered over the stove on low for hours. The minute they walk in they will be hungry.



Pizza is an easy way out for a quick weeknight dinner. If you can't make or buy your own dough grab a crusty loaf of bread on your way home from work. We make ours a white pizza, drizzled with olive oil we cover the bread (or dough) with steamed spinach leaves, crumbled feta cheese and then mozzarella.



Grilled sausage with onions is another fave. We dressed this with an Asian plum sauce to add just the right balance of sweet flavor and served with steamed asparagus and panetini toasts.



And last but not least the one thing we all know we'll be having shortly: the turkey sandwich, served here with fresh sliced tomato, bacon and loads of mayo.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!