Well, in case you were worried about me…I made it through my hectic week and I can honestly say that dinner never caused me stress, because I had a realistic plan. Well, that…and the fact that I had other people making dinner a couple of the nights. Heh. Back to reality this week.
But despite a loud sleepover birthday party with eight 7th graders Saturday night, my Sunday was relaxing enough to figure out the week’s meals. Winning! For now…but I’m definitely in the mood for some easy, real comfort food this week!
What Is “Easy, Real Comfort Food”?
The holiday season is here (as indicated by the arrival of Starbucks’ holiday drinks on Nov. 2, and no I haven’t had one yet)! And so is some cooler weather (in Virginia anyway)–so, bring on the easy, real comfort foods!
You know “comfort foods,” but you may not know “easy, real comfort foods.” I’m talking about foods that are:
- easy enough to make during the week,
- made from real food, not processed foods,
- warm and hearty for the chilly weather,
- and particularly nourishing to your body and soul.
Maybe you’ve eaten particular comfort foods throughout your childhood. Perhaps you ate a particular comfort food only one time, yet associate it with the memory of something positively wonderful in your life. It could be that you associate particular comfort foods with a particularly challenging time in your life. Or it’s possible you associate particular comfort foods with the seasons.
Either way, I believe comfort food is an integral part of life’s ups and downs–events or temperatures! But when did “comfort food” become synonymous with “guilty pleasure”?
Here’s the thing:
You don’t have to overindulge in overly processed foods to thoroughly enjoy your food. Easy, real comfort foods are guilt free, wholesome and real-food based, but most importantly they are easily enjoyable.
So, my meals this week include some of my favorite easy, real comfort foods that I hope you will try!
Meal Planning This Week
Monday (a busy night): Instant Pot Beef Stew (leftover from Sunday)
Tuesday (no school, but a busy night): Instant Pot Tuscan Bean, Vegetable and Bread Soup (adapting this recipe to make a bread-free version)
Wednesday: “Brinner”–Mediterranean Caramelized Onion, Zucchini, Tomato and Feta Frittata
Thursday (a busy night): Leftovers (Tuscan soup)
Friday: Chicken Pot Pie (with a single top crust)
Buon Appetito!
