Comfort Food
Braising meat for a cozy dinner: a guide for beginners
Braising turns tough, collagen-rich cuts into tender meat and a rich sauce. Learn how to choose a cut, brown it well, set the liquid and judge when it is done.
The collection
Comfort Food
Warm, familiar dishes such as soups, casseroles, mashed potatoes and braises, with the techniques that make them reliable and ideas for reheating and adapting them.
Comfort Food
How to make a hearty soup the whole family will enjoy
Build a filling soup in stages with a flavorful base, beans or grains for body, layered seasoning and toppings so every family member can adjust a bowl.
Comfort Food
How to reheat comfort food so it tastes freshly made
Gentle heat, a little added moisture and a center that reaches 165°F make leftovers taste close to freshly made. Compare oven, stovetop and microwave reheating methods.
Comfort Food
Scaling a favorite comfort recipe up or down for your table
Scaling a comfort recipe works best with one multiplier, a pan that fits the new batch and careful changes to seasoning and liquid. Steps for cutting or doubling it.
Comfort Food
What makes mashed potatoes creamy and how to get it right
Learn how potato choice, cooking method, fat, warm liquid and gentle mashing create smooth mashed potatoes, plus practical fixes for mash that turns out thin, stiff or gluey.
Comfort Food
Why a casserole turns out dry and how to prevent it
Dry casseroles usually come from too little sauce or from baking too long or uncovered. Learn how to balance moisture, cover the dish and time the bake right.