The Country’s Best Comfort Foods

It may get colder in the winter, but at the first hint of chilly autumn weather comfort foods start tasting really good. After months of grilling and eating on the patio, suddenly snuggling up to a steaming bowl seems just about right. Of course, comfort foods come in all several different styles and servings. Expand your horizons by exploring beyond your own comfort zone and tasting the cozy cuisines of the whole country. Here are a few of our favs.

Savor Santa-Fe Style: Green and red chilies may be spicy, but mellowed with slow cooked meats, creamy cheese and sweet veggies they can be the beginning of a culinary addiction. From Swestern-style Pot Pie to Spicy Chicken Olive Pozole, these’ll be perfect back at the ol’ ranch.

Head for the Heartland: There’s a reason that Midwesterners can make it through long cold winters better than the rest of us. Cozying up to rich stews, plenty of dumplings and warm thick broth next to a crackling fire is nothing to sneeze about. Here’s a Heartland Pot Roast that’s certain to ward off any draft in the air.

Cross the Border: Even through warm weather, our friends to the south revel in the deliciousness of comfort. Corn tortillas, fresh cheeses and bold flavors bring the sum into your kitchen and warm even the coldest of days. Try Ancho Olive Chilaquiles or Chicken and Rice Soup for a savory evening

Loaf Around: Easy to prepare and even simpler to serve, meatloaf even sounds like it should be eaten while wearing PJs. And who says it’s reserved for beef alone? Sample with recipes using pork, poultry, lamb or a combo of a few. Simply seasoned with salt, pepper and garlic or more elaborately with herbs, spices and California Ripe Olives like our California Sage Olive Meatloaf and it’s a perfect start for family movie night.

Make it Mac: Classic dishes like macaroni and cheese are fantastic on their own. Spiced up with additions like California Ripe Olives, smoked cheeses and green chilies and you’ve got a signature dish worth a few dining guests. Invite a few friends and dive into this Smoked Cheddar and Olive Mac n Cheese coupled with a game of Parcheesi. Courier and Ives could hardly do better!