With all of the bad weather we’ve been experiencing, and more to come in the next month, it’s a good time for us to consider some great American comfort foods we can enjoy while we’re snowed in. Food is something everyone enjoys, and is actually a great tool for bonding as well. So sit down around the table with your homestay student and enjoy one of these classic winter comfort foods!
Cooking is a universal activity, that anyone can enjoy. Having your student join you in the kitchen is an excellent way to get to know each other, and they can learn a new cooking skill. It’s also a great idea to let your student take the reins every once in a while; maybe they can teach you a thing or two, and you can enjoy a dish you’ve never tried before!
As for American dishes that are fun to make, and delicious to eat, Chicken Parmesan is at the top of the list. It is one of the classics that you can find in any Italian restaurant. Here in Boston’s North End, you can find a wide variation of this dish. However, you can also make it at home with this simple recipe. Chicken Parmesan sure sounds Italian thanks to its traditionally Italian ingredients, but would you believe its true origin is of chefs and home cooks from the United States? It really is the perfect dish to serve and share on a cold winter’s night.
Next on our list is a dish that is sure to warm you up on those long snow days: Chicken Noodle Soup. There’s really nothing more delicious than a warm bowl of soup on a cold day. This recipe is a classic, full of vegetables, chicken, and a homemade broth that is sure to please anyone. Chicken noodle soup has long been considered to have medicinal properties, and it is true that it may have anti-inflammatory effect on the body, making it the perfect dish for when you get that inevitable winter cold.
Lastly, we need to have dessert! And I have a special treat for all of you. My favorite comfort food is my mother’s famous (among friends and family) bread and butter pudding. Made with old bread and served with a healthy portion of cream, it is extremely simple, but incredibly rich and delicious!
Bread and Butter Pudding by Patricia Drake
Ingredients
- soft butter
- bread of any kind
- 4 cups of milk
- 3 eggs beaten
- 1/2 cup of sugar
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1/2 cup of raisins
- 1 tsp. of vanilla
- 1/2 tsp. of cinnamon
- heavy cream for serving
- Preheat oven to 325 Fahrenheit
- Butter a 2 quart baking dish
- Spread generous amount of butter on one side of the bread and begin to layer, butter side down. Between layers, place raisins
- Once the layers have been placed, mix together the rest of the ingredients and pour over the bread. Press down on the bread so it is all submerged. Let stand 10 minutes, or refrigerate until ready to bake, up to 24 hours.
- Bake covered for 30 minutes, then uncover and bake for 30 minutes more
- Serve warm with heavy cream poured on top.
