Let’s face it – we all have bad days. We all have really bad days. Some of us tend to have really really bad days.
What happens during our day can effect our moods no doubt about it. But there is a source of medicine that can lift the spirit and bring a smile to your face in no time. It is called good food, in my case, good Italian food.
Italian Comfort Food
Italian comfort food can come in many different forms. Pasta, dessert, coffee or even soup. What makes comfort food so comforting? Because we love it and it makes us feel better. I don’t know the scientific reasons for this, but then again I don’t have to. It just does.
Italian pasta is comfort food for me along with holding a cozy homemade latte in my hands. In regards to dessert, although not Italian, German Chocolate Cake is another big supporter in those times of need.
Here are 5 recipes I recommend for a good satisfying dish when feeling a little blue:
- Ravioli (or other basic pasta). How much simpler can you get? If you do not have any sauce, do not worry about it. Use olive oil and cheese as the topping. We often have ravioli without sauce and simply drizzle a little bit of extra virgin olive oil on top and sprinkle some Romano cheese.
- Chicken Cacciatore. This recipe will take a little longer to prepare and naturally you would have to have the chicken parts on hand. However, you can always stop by the store on the way home and get what you need. I love this recipe as a left over too. It almost tastes better the second day because the flavors have had more time to come alive while marinating.
- Chicken Soup. Chicken soup is not just for when feeling sick anymore. Add some extra noodles or pasta and the soup can be rather filling. If you have some stored in the freezer, now is the time to use it.
- Baked Pasta. If you don’t have the ricotta go out and get some and make this easy dish. I had a reader who made this for her son and added some meat to the recipe as I suggested, and it was a huge hit. Baked pasta is filling and satisfying. It is easy and quick to make in no time. Just prepare it and put it in the oven. Meanwhile get in some comfy clothes and pull out your favorite book or movie. Your troubles will soon disappear (at least for a little while!).
- Risotto with orzo. This is a good dish which also has some natural zing to it thanks to the fresh parsley. It can be made in a flash and eaten right away. If you typically like rice dishes as a comfort food, give this risotto recipe a try.
No matter which recipe you choose, good food has a way of making us feel better, lifting the weight of the world off our shoulders just long enough to take a deep breath, relax, and remember the simple enjoyments in life.
Share your favorite Italian comfort foods, we’d love to hear from you!
Liz
www.simpleitaliancooking.com
Good and Comforting Italian Dishes
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