Brrr! When the weather outside turns frightful, comfort foods taste delightful. Your soul craves satisfying, savory stews and gooey, cheesy casseroles. Who can resist a decadent dessert served warm directly from the oven? As you know, Illinois winters can linger for months and continuously feasting on calorie-laden comfort foods can pack on pounds. Problem solved. I lightened up four classic winter comfort foods without losing their traditional rich flavor. They’re my go-to recipes when my family wants a cozy meal with a healthy twist.
People with a sweet tooth will find it hard to resist my Cinnamon Apple-Raisin Bread Pudding. This wholesome dessert is easy enough to make during the week for your family, yet elegant enough to serve guests. The apple cider and dried, sliced apple rings contribute a farm-fresh flavor. Another trick: Day-old, whole-grain cinnamon-raisin bread helps soak up the pudding mixture. Serve this satisfying dessert warm with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream, gelato or frozen yogurt. And if you must, drizzle on some dark chocolate sauce.
Say goodbye to bone-chilling Illinois winters. When the temperature drops and the windchill soars, warm up your appetite with these family-pleasing, no-guilt comfort foods.