Sparkle Kitchen
Sparkle Kitchen: Comfort Food Round Up

Sparkle Kitchen: Comfort Food Round Up

Comfort food. Do you ever wonder why food can be so comforting when we are feeling homesick or nostalgic? Just think:

Thanksgiving turkey and stuffing. A chocolate birthday cake. A rich stew on a cold night in the middle of the winter. Barbequed ribs on the Fourth of July.

When we have a good experience with food and we enjoy that food, our brains release a wonderful mix of neurotransmittors that tell us that this food is good for us, making us feel happy and comforted. Certain foods can remind us of a favorite family member, a best friend, or a special vacation. These comfort food can make us feel better when we are sick, too.

To go along with this week's themes of compassion and understanding hurt, I've compiled nine Sparkle comfort food recipes.


mac and cheese 7 |www.sparklestories.com| lights of olympus

Mac and Cheese

At the top of the list is mac and cheese. It is the quintessential childhood comfort food: warm, cheesy, salty, and just plain delicious. Our Sparkle recipe is a nice upgrade from the boxed kind we all used to have as kids. Treat your family to this version and they are sure to love it too.

Find the recipe HERE.


gumbo 9 |www.sparklestories.com| fifty: the stars, the states, the stories

Gumbo

Gumbo is a spicy stew of sausage and seafood and okra. This southern dish is sure to have you coming back for more and will sustain you through whatever life brings you.

Find the recipe HERE


soul soothing noodles

Soul Soothing Noodles

When I think of being sick, I think of a bowl of noodle soup with a nourishing broth. When you are feeling down and need some extra care, these noodles will do the trick.

Find the recipe HERE.


turkey shepherd's pie 5 | www.sparklestories.com| martin & sylvia's audio advent calendar

Turkey Shepherd's Pie

Shepherd's pie is one of my most favorite comfort foods. The stew can be modified easily to suit your tastes and the mashed potato topping is always a sure-fire hit. It's one of my favorite uses for turkey leftovers from Thanksgiving.

Find the recipe HERE.


polenta 3 | www.sparklestories.com| m & s audio advent calendar day 17

Polenta

Polenta is a hearty, savory dish that can be topped with anything. Polenta reminds me of my family in Italy. During the winter, we would gather together and make a huge pot of polenta and invite the whole family and nearby friends. Everyone brought a sauce to top it with. It comforts me every time I think of it.

Find the recipe HERE.


french toast 3 |www.sparklestories.com| martin & sylvia's audio advent calendar

French Toast

French toast looks fancy but it's easy to make and can show the people you love just how much you care for them. Our version is total decadence made with brioche bread and topped with homemade berry compote.

Find the recipe HERE.


paella 1| www.sparklestories.com| so many fairies

Paella

Paella, like many comfort foods, is a throw-in-all-the-stuff kind of dish. It has something to please every taste. This dish is sure to warm the hearts and bellies of your whole family.

Find the reciepe HERE.


peanut butter ice cream sandwiches 2 |www.sparklestories.com| at home with martin & sylvia

Homemade Ice Cream Sandwiches

When you are feeling tired, there is nothing like an ice cream sandwich to bring you back up. I remember playing all day with my cousins in the summertime and inevitably feeling wilted by the afternoon heat. My grandmother would come outside with cookies and two kinds of ice cream — and we'd make our own ice cream sandwiches. I'll remember those times forever with such joy. This Sparkle version made with homemade peanut butter cookies will definitely become a family favorite!

Find the recipe HERE.


butternut squash chili

Butternut Squash Chili

I don't know a single person that doesn't have a good memory of a chunky chili. Be it meat and beans or all veggies, chili is the ultimate comfort food. The spices are warming and it fills you right up, keeping your body satisfied for long afterward. Plus, the flavors meld with time, actually improving the taste of the chili by the next day.

Find the recipe HERE.


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About the Author

KC Pagano

Contributor

KC is a full-time radical homemaker and mama to two spunky little girls. She writes about all kinds of radical goodness, from gardening and cooking with whole foods to crafting, sewing, homeschooling, and mama musings. Read more on her blog The Nettlesome Life.

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