Three easy to make winter comfort foods
Peppermint Hot Chocolate*
Hot chocolate is very hard to mess up and the result is a delicious warm drink that just takes 10 minutes to whip up at any time of day. This recipe creates a perfect creamy hot chocolate.
1 cup heavy whipping cream (you can always just use milk it will just be less creamy)
2 cups whole milk
¼ cup sugar
Pinch of salt
4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped (you can also just use chocolate chips)
1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
In a saucepan, combine the cream, milk, sugar, and salt and heat over medium-low heat. Make sure to continue stirring (I usually use a wooden spoon or spatula) to avoid burning the cream and milk.
When the cream mixture just begins to steam, add the chopped chocolate and stir until melted. Stir in the peppermint oil. Divide the hot chocolate among mugs and top with whipped cream (and maybe a candy cane if you are feeling fancy).
Mac n’ Cheese**
What is not to like about cheese and carbs? This recipe is perfect for a rainy night dinner. This creamy, cheesy, mac and cheese only has seven simple ingredients (if you include salt and pepper) and only takes about 20 minutes total to make.
1 lb elbow macaroni
3 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup flour
1 teaspoon salt
pinch of pepper
1½-2 cups milk
2 cups cheddar, shredded
In a large pot, cook pasta according to directions (and make sure to salt the water you are cooking your pasta in. To not be afraid to put a decent amount in). Drain and leave sitting in a colander. Then, in the empty pot, melt the butter over medium-high heat (about one minute). When butter is almost all melted, add in flour, salt, and pepper and then whisk until it is a paste-like consistency. Slowly pour in the milk, still whisking and let it come to a slow boil (about four-five minutes, and make sure to continue stirring).
As soon as the milk starts to boil, add in the cheese and stir a few times. If it is too thick then add in another 1/4-1/2 cup of milk, then add the pasta back into the pot and coat with the cheese sauce. Let cool for a few minutes, then serve and enjoy!
Cinnamon Rolls***
Perfect for a weekend morning, these cinnamon rolls are better than any canned version. Though the thought of yeast can be daunting, it makes the perfect cinnamon roll and is well worth the work. This recipe takes 25 minutes of prep time and takes a total of an hour to rest and cook.
Dough Ingredients
1 cup lukewarm milk
⅓ cup lukewarm water
1 package (2¼ teaspoons) instant yeast
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
3½ cups (15.75 ounces) all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon fine salt
Filling Ingredients
¾ cup packed light brown sugar
3 tablespoons ground cinnamon
⅛ teaspoon fine salt
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
Frosting Ingredients
3 tablespoons heavy cream
1 cup powdered sugar
(You can always double these ingredients to make extra frosting because that never hurt anybody)
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, combine all the dough ingredients and stir until combined. Turn the mixer on medium speed and knead for five minutes, or until smooth. Remove the dough to a floured work surface, cover, and let rest for 10 minutes.
In a small bowl combine the brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
After the dough has rested, use a floured rolling pin to roll it out into about a 9 by 15-inch rectangle. Brush all over with melted butter. Sprinkle evenly with the cinnamon sugar mixture, leaving a 1/2-inch border at the far edge. Roll the dough up, pinching with your fingers to keep it tightly rolled. Press the seam to seal before positioning the log seam side down.
Use a very sharp knife to cut off the ends then cut the dough into 11 to 12 equal pieces. Place in a greased pie pan or 9 by 13-inch baking pan. (At this point you could cover and refrigerate the rolls overnight then let them come back to room temperature for 1 hour before baking.) Bake for about 20 to 25 minutes, or until lightly golden brown. Let cool on a wire rack for at least 5 minutes.
While the rolls cool, whisk together the icing ingredients until smooth. Drizzle all over the warm rolls and serve.
