Comfort food might mean different dishes to different people and so this month, we have put together a list of such foods that are bound to make you happy. Had a bad day at work? Kill the bad mood with these uber delicious feel-food dishes.
Blueberry Pancakes
Light, fluffy and fruity, these super soft treats make the perfect breakfast
Ingredients
1 cup all-purpose flour
¾ cup fresh blueberries
1 cup milk
1 tbsp sugar
½ tsp salt
1 tbsp butter
1 tbsp baking powder
Butter and honey, for topping
Method
Place the dry ingredients in a bowl. Mix well with a whisk.
Add the wet ingredients – melted butter, milk and mix until it is smooth without lumps.
Add blueberries and mix gently. Keep aside for 10 minutes.
Heat an iron skillet, grease with butter and pour one big ladle full of batter carefully. Do not spread.
Wait until bubbles pop over the pancakes and the colour changes and then flip carefully. Cook the other side for a minute and transfer to serving plate.
Top it with honey or butter, depending on your taste.
Eggless French toast
French toasts are a classic replacement for the same oldbread, butter and jam. If you think you need eggs to make them, think again!
Ingredients
6 bread slices
2 tbsp vanilla custard powder (can be replaced with corn starch and ½ tsp vanilla essence)
2 tbsp sugar
½ cup milk
Butter, as required
Nutmeg or ground cinnamon, a pinch
Method
Boil milk and mix it well with custard powder and sugar in a wide bowl.
Heat a non-stick pan and grease with butter. Dip the bread slice very quickly on both sides and toast on low flame until it gets cooked and becomes golden in colour.
Stack up a couple and sprinkle nutmeg or cinnamon powder, according to your choice.
Desi Bruschetta
Crispy, full of flavour and easy to eat, Bruschetta is the perfect starter to any meal. This one has an Indian touch.
Ingredients
1 loaf baguette
15 cubes paneer
1 onion
1 tomato
1 tbsp garlic, chopped
2 tbsp coriander leaves, chopped
1 tsp dried oregano
As needed, salt
1 ½ tsp olive oil
1 tsp black pepper powder or chilli flakes
2 tbsp Mozzarella, shredded
Method
Pre-heat oven to 180 degree C. Meanwhile, soak the paneer in hot water to make it soft.
Cut the paneer in small cubes or shred it, deseed the tomatoes and cut it into cubes, finely chop onion, coriander leaves and garlic.
Drizzle olive oil on the chopped vegetables and mix well.
Slice the baguette and make sure it is at least ½ inch thick to hold the topping. You can either cut it in simple circles or fancy ovals.
Arrange the cut slices in a greased baking tray and spoon the paneer and chopped vegetables. Finish with a little shredded cheese on top.
Drizzle a little olive oil again and bake for up to 5 – 8 minutes, or until the tomatoes shrink and a nice aroma wafts.
Sprinkle coriander leaves and chilli flakes on top before serving for extra flavour.
Red Bean Quesadilla
Quesadillas are Mexican style toasties, perfect for an evening snack or as accompaniments for cocktails.
Ingredients
1 can red kidney bean
1 yellow onion
1 tomato
2 tbsp chopped coriander leaves
1 tsp lemon juice
½ tsp pepper powder
1 green chilli
¼ cup Mozzarella, grated
As needed, salt
6 tortillas
2 tbsp butter
Method
Drain the bean from the can and wash it. Mash it coarsely. Add salt and pepper and mix well.
Chop onion, tomato (deseeded) and chilli finely. Pour lemon juice into this and mix well.
Take a tortilla and spread 3 to 4 tablespoons of mashed beans andthe onionand tomato mixture. Top it with the grated Mozzarella cheese. Spread on only one half of the tortilla.
Fold the other half in a way that it covers the spread completely.
Heat a pan and grease with butter and keep the tortilla carefully.
Cook both sides on low flame until it looks golden brown and crispy.
Top with extra cheese if needed and serve hot with a cheesy dip or tomato salsa.
Butter Corn pasta
The word Pasta screams comfort. Add some butter and corn and you have got the perfect companion for those dull days.
Ingredients
100 gm Spaghetti
1 tbsp butter
½ cup cheese, of your choice
½ cup corn
¼ cup milk
As needed, Italian seasoning
¼ tsp black pepper, powdered
As needed, salt
Coriander, for seasoning
Method
Boil water, add the pasta, some salt and cook until tender.
Drain it and wash it with cold water and transfer to dry bowl. Drizzle some olive oil over it to prevent drying.
Cook the corn and keep it aside. Fresh corn is best but frozen corn can be microwaved and used.
Alternatively, melt the cheese in a pan and keep aside.
Heat butter in a pan, add the cooked corn and give it a mix. Add the cooked pasta, cheese and continue mixing over medium heat.
Add milk, mix well, check for salt and add black pepper and the Italian seasoning.
Transfer to serving bowl and top it with fresh coriander and serve with a slice of toasted bread.
