I'm not a fan of the winter. Moving to North Carolina from Rhode Island, I thought it would be warm enough for me to always be comfortable, but I quickly acclimated, and now I dread January and February. It's cold, often wet, and there's not enough natural light to keep my mood up. Until our society realizes how Christmas lights lift people's moods and should be kept up all throughout winter, I am forced to console myself with comfort foods.
Everyone's comfort foods are unique to them based on their upbringing and culture, but for me, it's always been carbs and cheese. Mashed potatoes or a gooey grilled cheese on fancy bread always lifts my mood. But my top comfort food is one that few seem to know: Welch Rarebit. Simply put, it's liquid cheese on toast. How can anything sound better than that?
Ingredients:
2 2/3 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 2/3 tablespoons all purpose flour
1 1/3 teaspoons dijon mustard
1 1/3 teaspoons worcestershire sauce (I use vegetarian)
2/3 teaspoon kosher salt
2/3 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
8 ounces cheddar cheese shredded
2 2/3 drops hot sauce
5 1/3 slices rye bread toasted
Directions:
To begin, start by toasting your bread. This makes a lot, so I toast in the oven.
I forgot to clean the oven!
In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt the butter. Next, whisk in the flour and cook, for 2 to 3 minutes, whisking constantly. Be careful not to brown the flour.
Whisk in mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper until smooth.
Not smooth yet but getting there!
Pour in cream and whisk until well combined and smooth.
Gradually add cheese, stirring constantly, until cheese melts and sauce is smooth; this will take 4 to 5 minutes.
Yummy cheese sauce!
Add hot sauce if you like some spice. Pour over toast and serve immediately.
Serves 5 with some left over!
If you're looking for other great ideas for comfort foods, you should browse the cookbooks at the library. While comfort food is different for everyone, you will definitely find one that you'll love. The Complete Cookbook for Teens is one I recommend. Some of its recipes include a French Toast Casserole, Scalloped Potatoes, French Bread Pizza, Potato Cheese Soup, and Fettuccini Alfredo. I also adore Weekday Vegetarians as I've found many new recipes that became new comfort food from this cookbook.
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