A couple of years back, I realized that so many of the more ethnic, unique, vegetarian-influenced dishes that I had been making just didn't appeal to my husband (lentil casseroles, cold rice and bean salads, various curries, squash soups, that sort of thing).
The leftovers would sit around, and only I would eat them. My husband isn't a particularly picky eater, but I came to the conclusion that it's comfort food that he loves. I've had to strive to learn to make those standard recipes in more nourishing ways, adding in plenty of vegetables, good fats (in place of bad ones), raw dairy, and finding plenty of ways to keep it frugal.
Blogger Kate Tietje (one of our amazing writers here at KOTH) also realized that comfort food was something that she and her family loved and even craved, and so she wrote the book Wholesome Comfort...
“I love comfort food. As soon as the weather turns cooler, or any time I’m feeling stressed or tired, I just want something warm, creamy, or carb-heavy. Foods like mashed potatoes, stuffing, roast turkey, cheesy or creamy casseroles, fudge…. These are the foods that make me feel better. And I know I’m not alone.
The thing is, many of our favorite comfort foods aren’t so good for us. A look at the ingredients panel on a bag of storebought stuffing mix reveals bleached flour, soybean oil, high fructose corn syrup, and yucky preservatives. Don’t even get me started on the canned cream soups and the casseroles they’re used for. I have given up eating my beloved green bean casserole at parties because of the awful canned soups.
I knew there was a need here. I didn’t want to give up my comfort foods just because I don’t want those processed versions anymore, and I know others don’t want to either. So I set out to re-make all my old favorites with real food. They were so delicious and wonderful that it naturally led to the book idea. Who doesn’t love comfort food, really? Real meatloaf, scalloped potatoes, chicken and dumplings, hot chocolate…it’s the stuff of winter. And to some, happiness. And no guilt, because this version is totally real food. I feel good serving it to my family, and I feel good after I eat it. Pure awesomeness.
Another new feature in this book that I want to mention is that we added an allergy-friendly code. All recipes are soy and seafood-free. There are little icons in the book (both in the table of contents and the recipe pages themselves) indicating if a recipe is grain, egg, dairy, or nut-free. This makes it really handy for those with restrictions.”
Image by Bordecia34
Scalloped Potatoes = Comfort Food
Kate has generously allowed me to share one of the recipes from the book, and I had to pick Scalloped Potatoes.
We love scalloped potatoes and have been making a vegan version that I started using back when we ate a little closer to vegetarian and dairy-free (which we don't anymore-- we've switched over to a traditional diet, which includes plenty of animal fats and raw dairy).
I kept up with the recipe because it's still very good, I can substitute my raw milk in place of the "milk" alternative, and I didn't feel like searching for another recipe. But I'm so excited to try this! My husband LOVES scalloped potatoes and so do I.
Scalloped Potatoes
Used with permission from the eBook Wholesome Comfort by Kate Tietje
Ingredients:
- 4 – 5 medium potatoes, thinly slice (about 1/8”)
- ¼ c. onion, minced
- ½ tsp. sea salt
- ¼ tsp. black pepper
- ¼ tsp. thyme
- 2 tbsp. butter
- 2 tbsp. arrowroot powder
- 2 c. milk
Directions:
Arrange the potato slices in a 9x13 baking dish. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Saute the onions until softened. Add the salt, pepper, thyme, and arrowroot powder and stir until smooth. Add the milk and stir until bubbling and slightly thickened. Pour the mixture over the potatoes. Bake at 350 for about an hour.
Makes 4 – 6 servings.
Serving Suggestion: Serve alongside Italian Chicken or Meatloaf.
Would you like to win a copy of Wholesome Comfort? I have 8 copies to give away!
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Top image by Pen Waggener
pizza!
My favorite comfort food is chicken pot pie and mashed potatoes.
Ice cream!
My top comfort food is any type of warm soup. Yum!
Shepherd's pie!
Thanks for this giveaway!
My favorite comfort food is scalloped potatoes. Unfortunately, DH is not as big a fan!
Shepherds Pie!
I have so many...tonight I'd have to say homemade spaghetti
My favorite comfort food is a ground beef/rice/bell pepper mix smothered in mozzerela cheese and oregano! Different - but it's what I grew up on!
I have lots of starchy comfort foods - pasta, toast, pancakes, or homemade bread with lots of butter!
apple crisp with vanilla ice cream, yum!
Chocolate!!!
mac & cheese is a great comfort food!
Macaroni & cheese. Yum!
Brownies!
Anything with cheese
Warm apple crisp with vanilla ice cream.
Pasta is definitely a comfort food for me! I love that someone put together a cookbook with healthier options for comfort foods!
There are so many! LOL My favorite is probably soup, especially baked potato soup!
I'm a sucker for home made mac and cheese. It's my ultimate comfort food! I'll have to experiment on how to make it healthier though. Those scalloped potatoes look delicious!!!
mashed potatoes
Potato dishes are a favorite!
I LOVE that you included the recipe for scalloped potatoes, because that has to be one of my all time favorites! Add some meatloaf, and YUMMY!
creamy wild rice soup or homemade alfredo pizza
I love mac & Cheese. There is just something about it!
My favorite comfort food....hmmm....unfortunately there's so many. LOL I guess what really brings up great, comforting memories would be a toasted tuna sandwich.
I love mashed potatoes and homemade rolls.
My mom/grandma's mac and cheese.
Mashed potatoes with lots of gravy.
Homemade chicken noodle soup, especially with my Grandma's homemade noodles.
Carmel rolls! Cheesy potatoes! Green bean casserole!
Green bean casserole for sure! Love those crunchy onions.
homemade macaroni and cheese ... or pumpkin bread ... i'm hanging on to these cold-weather foods as long as i can!
My favorite food is pizza.
My favorite comfort food...no contest...is broccoli casserole!
I love scrambled eggs with lots of fresh stir fried vegies.
Does anyone know if this book would be worth it if there is a dairy allergy in the family?
Hi Tara, the book has 15 recipes that are dairy-free as written, and several more where subbing coconut milk/oil for dairy works great. There's only three where that sub wouldn't work (cheese recipes), and even then, if you used Daiya cheese, you could probably make them. We've been dairy-free too at different points and often make these subs ourselves, depending on what we have on hand. :)
I love pot roast with carrots and potatoes
Tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches
Chicken and dumplings.
Poached chicken and rice with garlic and soya sauce
Hot soup and cheese muffins
love me some stroganoff!
Oh my, favorite? How about a cinnamon roll with lots of frosting, syrupy filling, and plump fat raisins with a nice hot cup of tea or cider. That sounds GREAT right now. :) Although, a simple slice of bread with butter would be fabulous. I am gluten and dairy free right now. :)
Favorite comfort food is meat loaf and scalloped potatoes.
dumpling soup
My favorite comfort food is chicken fried steak and mashed potatoes.
mashed potatoes
My favorite comfort food is homemade chocolate chip cookies...but any baked goods will work as a substitute!