Whatcha Cooking? - Comfort Food Edition

I haven’t found a prepared ranch I like. Hidden valley has a weird taste to me and I can taste when a restaurant uses premade ranch. When my kids still lived at home we made the Hidden Valley packet that called for buttermilk. Haven’t tried it lately so not sure if it’s still good. Some restaurants will sell you a bottle of their homemade.

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I have the packet stuff - still not hitting it for me! Oddly, the place that I’ve found has delicious Ranch is Wing Stop - a chain wing place. Might have to stop and see if I can buy in bulk!

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We think wings are just a delivery method for blue cheese dressing :).

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There’s a buffet style restaurant on Williams Street in Lower Manhattan where I always buy some take-out spaghetti and meat balls and i could never quite figure out what it was that made it so yummy. Well, today I really paid attention to how the counterman prepared it and it turns out he heats up the spaghetti and sauce together stir-fry style in a wok! Who knew!

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I don’t disagree with this! I actually DID make homemade blue cheese recently which was quite good. (But I also love wings)

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Do you have a Trader Joe’s near you? I just bought their buttermilk ranch dressing, in the produce section, and it’s really good! First 2 ingredients are sour cream and buttermilk. I usually make my own and I’m impressed with this, tastes very fresh and no added sugar!

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The closest one is about an hour away :pensive_face: but I do go a couple times a year or visit the one near my girls which is 2+ hours away- now I gotta remember!

I second this! Bought it for the first time last week and really liked it.

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Anyone have experience with substitutions for eggs in cookies. I have a recipe for a ginger cookie that calls for one egg. I’ll substitute the butter with vegan butter but I’ve got a few different ideas for the egg. I’m considering pumpkin, Just Egg, bobs red mill egg substitute.

I’ve now made a few cakes and I’ve tried cashew yogurt in one and the Bobs Red Mill product in the other. I thought the yogurt worked but not sure if it’s the right sub for cookies.

I LOVE stews—to me, a hearty stew is comfort food. I tried thawing a 3# boneless chuck roast overnight but it was still rock hard in the fridge the next day. Made it via instant pot — seasoned & cooked 90 minutes with seasoning & 2 cans of diced tomatoes plus 1/2 a can of water. I let it naturally release. Removed the roast and dumped in quartered potatoes, some turnips (I love them), a few carrots & some celery. Cooked for 15 minutes & let naturally release for about 10-15 minutes. Cut roast into chunks & had stew for several days (which fortunately we both enjoy).

I wish there were more recipes without cheese and dairy, as H has a hard time with dairy. I can eat smaller amounts of it but he’s better off if he minimizes his dairy intake. Lots of the yummy recipes here have heavy cream and/or cheese.

One of our favorite winter comfort foods is short ribs, which I usually braise with red wine and aromatics. Last night I tried this recipe and everyone loved it. It was very flavorful and a nice change from the norm. Personally I didn’t think the leeks added much to it (and I love leeks). I served with egg noodles but could do rice or potatoes, as they suggest

I love, love a good braised short ribs or other slow cooking meat. I actually bought a few short ribs yesterday - but they are SO expensive! $12.99/lb at our meat store. I might combine with a cut chuck roast to make a full meal.

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I am going to send you a PM.

I could really get used to having D20 living back at home. She made this for us last night…so delicious and warm and comforting:

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that looks delicious!

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One good thing about TikTok- the plethora of cooking ideas!!

Wasn’t sure where to put this but decided while I think it’s a “healthy” meal/snack diet-hards won’t agree . :laughing:

This def a comfort food to me that both feel fresh and yummy but also has some nutrient value.

I ate it for breakfast but it could be any meal/snack. Filling, and both hard/soft, sweet/salty.

Homemade sourdough (white/wheat mix)

Good French butter

Shredded or shaved sharp cheese

Everything bagel seasoning

Generous sprinkle of pomegranate seeds

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That sounds wonderful. You put together some great combos!

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I made the coconut curry dal @DeeCee36 posted above with sourdough naan for dinner tonight.


DH has now forgiven me for forwarding the She Divorced Me Because I Left Dishes in the Sink article being discussed on another thread. Marriage saved.

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Look so good! That naan….:face_savoring_food:

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