Our Camelia bush is already in bloom. It seems really early this year, but I saw daffodils blooming this morning and there are buds all over our bushes. The greening of England is about to begin and Spring really is just around the corner. I look forward to Spring every year, but it also heralds the end of Comfort Food Season which I mourn just a tiny bit . . . okay, MORE than a tiny bit. I am a comfort food lover at heart. I thought that it would be fun today to share ten of my favourite Home Style Comfort Dishes. Oh, to be sure we will have a lot more blustery days before Spring finally lands, but its definitely time to get in your last tastes of your comfort foods before its too late. Every single dish I am sharing here today is one that we love.
Stewed Brisket & Potatoes. Crusty, buttery little drop biscuits . . . tender in the middle and going oh-so-well with that beautiful rich gravy, potatoes and those tender chunks of meat!
Macaroni Shepherd's Pie. Shepherd's pie with the delicious twist of a layer of macaroni and cheese on top instead of the usual potatoes! Scrumdiddlyumptious!
Beef Casserole with Horseradish Dumplings. Hearty and delicious! My own oven stew recipe with a lovely dumpling recipe borrowed from Mary Berry, and adapted to my own needs.
French Onion Chicken. All the flavours of your favourite soup baked into a deliciously saucy chicken casserole beneath golden cheesy croutons. What's not to like!
Irish Stew. Tender lamb and vegetables beneath a thatch of potato cobbles, in a flavour filled broth. Simplicity at its best.
Chicken Savoyarde. Tender pieces of cooked chicken beneath a rich and creamy taragon sauce, topped with crisp bread crumbs. Delicious!
Beef, Ale & Parsnip Pudding. Kind of like a steamed meat pie, filled with lovely flavours. Beef, parsnips in a lush ale gravy, served with cabbage and boiled potatoes.
Chicken Rarebits with Melted Leeks. A deliciously rich and indulgent chicken dish, which is simple to make and uses simple ingredients.
Stuffed Cabbage Trou Style. Layers of cabbage and the sausage meat create a magical taste combination that is unbeatable . . . the long slow cooking breaks the cabbage down until it is almost buttery . . . the juices of the cabbage and sausage melding together into a melting deliciousness that is just the best flavour in the world.
Cottage Pie with Potato Cobbles. This may be the most delicious Cottage Pie you've ever eaten and I don't make that claim lightly! A really tasty meaty base topped with sliced rounds of potato and a layer of cheese baked until the potato cobbles are golden brown and everything is bubbling up nicely.
Oh, I could have easily done 20 or more of my favourites. This really is just the tip of the iceberg!