In-Season Recipes

Cold weather? Bring on the comfort food! When the temperature drops and the wind howls outside, there's nothing quite like cozying up at home and treating yourself to something warm and satisfying. Whether you're curled up on the couch with a good book or having a lazy weekend morning, these are the times that call for recipes that are both simple and indulgent. Here are some delicious things to eat in your pajamas, perfect for those days when comfort is the only thing on the menu. Vegetable Paella We made this for the last catered wedding of the season and cannot stop eating and sharing it. I use Matiz paella rice, but it works fine with regular long-grain rice. The idea is that, with a shallow enough pan and the right amount of liquid, the finished rice comes out slightly al dente. But if you go too far and end up with a super crusty bottom, that's great too. Yield: 8 servings FOR RICE: 1/4 cup olive oil 1 cup finely chopped onion 1/2 cup finely chopped green pepper 1 heaping tablespoon minced garlic 2 teaspoons tomato paste 2-1/2 cups paella rice (or long grain white rice) 1 heaping teaspoon salt Large bunch of saffron threads 1/2 cup frozen peas (cooked) In a large, straight-sided skillet over medium-high heat, combine olive oil, onion, and pepper, and cook until slightly softened. Add garlic and tomato paste, stirring for 1 to 2 minutes. Add rice and stir until rice is well coated with oil. Add 7 cups water, the salt and saffron and stir well. When water begins to simmer, reduce the heat to low and cook, uncovered and without stirring, for 20 minutes. Rice should be more than slightly al dente. Cover pan and turn off heat and let stand for 10 minutes. Add salt if needed. Toss peas on top. VEGETABLE TOPPING: Six cups of any combination of fall vegetables that are good for roasting (all cut into 3/4 inch pieces): peeled butternut squash cubes, brussels sprouts, red peppers, shiitake mushrooms, carrots, cauliflower 3 tablespoons olive oil 1 teaspoon salt Good grinding of black pepper Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Place vegetables on a rimmed baking sheet and toss with oil, salt and pepper. Roast until crisp-tender and slightly browned. Scatter on top of the paella and serve from the pan. Local ingredients: onions, garlic, frozen peas, winter storage vegetables Chicken Marbella Nothing says comfort like an oldie but goodie. How has Chicken Marbella stayed so beloved for almost fifty years? I do think the original Silver Palate recipe needs a massive sugar reduction (although perhaps the sugar salt combo is what has made it so beloved). I use a mere dash of maple syrup in my rendition. Yield: 6 servings 1/2 cup olive oil 1/2 cup red wine vinegar 1 head of garlic, peeled 2 teaspoons of salt 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper 1 cup pitted prunes 1/2 cup pitted Spanish green olives 1/2 cup capers, with a bit of juice 6 bay leaves 1/4 cup dried oregano 7-8 pounds of bone-in chicken 1 cup dry white wine 1/3 cup maple syrup 2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley Combine olive oil, vinegar, garlic, salt and pepper and puree with an immersion blender. Pour over chicken and mix in prunes, olives, capers, bay leaves and oregano. Marinate for 24 hours. The next day, lay the chicken out in a single layer on a baking sheet, pour on the wine, and drizzle with maple syrup. Bake at 350 degrees F. until golden, and each piece is 165 degrees. Garnish with parsley and serve. Local ingredients: garlic, chicken, maple syrup Malted Bedtime Drink And for the ultimate in comfort, skip dessert and serve a round of these warm, frothy malted drinks before everyone (or just yourself) retires. Yield: 1 serving 1 cup whole milk 1/3 cup whole milk (optional, for foaming) 2 tablespoons malt powder 1 teaspoon maple syrup 1/4 teaspoon vanilla Grating of nutmeg Over low heat and whisking often, heat 1 cup of milk with malt powder, maple syrup, and vanilla until just below boiling. Using a milk foamer (if you have one), foam the remaining milk. Or just heat all the milk with the other ingredients. Pour into a large mug and top with foam (if using) and a sprinkle of nutmeg. Local ingredients: milk, maple syrup