Baking comfort food for cold days

February 2, 2011 By Sandy

February approaches and althought the days are getting longer, the temperature is not rising, the sun is not always shining.

Time for comfort food to lift the mood and aid the adoption of an optimistic outlook on the weather.

I have always wanted to make a “classic” sand cake. Heard about it, imagined what it was, never sure if I have ever tasted one. It is delicious – quite moreish, not too sweet, great with a good cup of coffee. It is a bit reminiscent of cake I have had in France with coffee at breakfast and in Italy.

Bake some cheese scones to accompany a bowl of soup for lunch. Soup can come in a carton, a tin, a packet or be home-made. If you are making your own soup, why not use the leftovers in the fridge. Last week I made a lovely parsnip and haggis soup; using some limp parsnips, an onion, a carrot, left over haggis and gravy. Boiled it all together with some chicken stock (water would be fine) and then whizzed it to a course puree.

For pudding one evening a chocolate bread and butter pudding covers all bases. I had a very stale panettone which I used, you can use stale croissants, brioche, fruit loaf or bread.

If you bake your own bread, or are having baked potatoes for dinner, bake your comfort foods before or after (or alongside), making best use of the oven while it is on.

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