From Ina Garten to Marcus Samuelsson, here's what real chefs cook to keep cozy.
Winter is the official comfort food season. And while you could probably live off of grilled cheese and chicken noodle soup, sometimes you crave something more original. So we asked pro chefs from across the country for their favorite winter meals. They explained how to make them at home and even provided the full recipes.
1. Ina Garten: Author & Host, Barefoot Contessa
Barefoot Contessa / Via barefootcontessa.com, Via barefootcontessa.com
Her go-to comfort food: Cauliflower toasts.
"These decadent cauliflower toasts from Cook Like a Pro are one of my all-time favorite lunches. I combine roasted cauliflower with nutty Gruyère cheese and crispy pancetta to make open-face sandwiches that are creamy, comforting, and totally over-the-top!!"
2. Marcus Samuelsson: Red Rooster (Harlem)
Marcus Sammuelson / Via marcussamuelsson.com, Getty Images
His go-to comfort food: A delicious stew, like lamb with glazed cabbage.
"My wife will go and get lamb or goat from a farm and then we'll take a Sunday to make a big stew with cabbage. We'll have that for the week and usually will eat it with rice or couscous."
3. David Nayfeld: Che Fico (San Francisco)
c/o Che Fico, Getty Images
His go-to comfort food: Pasta. In particular, rigatoni with sausage.
"Pasta is one of my go-to comfort foods, especially this recipe. It's very easy to make. Just sauté garlic and onions in olive oil until translucent, add sausage and cook until it is lightly browned. I like it spicy, so I add some kind of chili to the pan in addition to chopped tomatoes, vinegar, and basil. While the sauce simmers, cook your pasta, reserving some of the cooking water to loosen the sauce. Once you toss the pasta in the sauce and season, finish it with butter and garnish with some freshly grated pecorino."
4. Chef Nina Compton: Compère Lapin & Bywater American Bistro (New Orleans)
Her go-to comfort food: Caribbean seafood pepper pot.
"This delicious seafood soup is very popular throughout the Caribbean and I grew up eating it. It’s hearty, flavorful, and comforting. It’s about using the freshest fish you can find and Caribbean spices and herbs like lemongrass and ginger. We serve it at Compère Lapin and people just love how much the flavors pop."
5. George Mendes: Aldea (New York City)
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His go-to comfort food: Portuguese vegetable soup.
"My mom made this classic Portuguese vegetable soup when I was growing up, and it's still one of my favorite, all-time comfort foods that gets me through winter."
6. Chef Kevin Fink: Emmer & Rye (Austin)
Brianna Balducci, Getty Images
His go-to comfort food: Pasta with blistered brassicas, chili, and queso fresco.
"This pasta recipe is hearty but also light enough to not weigh me down, and it can be a delicious, chilled pasta salad the next day."
7. Marc Vidal: Boqueria (New York City and Washington D.C)
c/o Boqueria, Courtesy of Marc Vidal
His go-to comfort food: Wine-braised chicken with prunes and cinnamon.
"In the winter, I love to make wine-braised chicken with prunes and cinnamon. It's super simple and easy to make, with very few ingredients, and you only need one pan. The prunes and caramelized onions melt into the wine sauce. Be sure to have a ton of bread on hand to soak up the delicious sauce."
8. Clare de Boer & Jess Shadbolt: King (New York City)
Their go-to comfort food: Wholesome soups with winter greens, bread and finished with new Tuscan oil.
"Wholesome soups full of beans, winter greens, bread and finished with new Tuscan oil get us through the trying winter months at King. Not a day passes when there is not one evolving on the stove either for the menu that evening or for ourselves to enjoy. There is something extremely cathartic about the process, and the reward of seeing a few ingredients come together into something delicious."
9. Chef Sarah Grueneberg: Monteverde (Chicago)
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Her go-to comfort food: Venison sausage, white bean, and kale stew (or any one-pot stew with braised meat).
"I love to cook one-pot stews and braised meats during the winter time. In particular, I make a venison sausage white bean kale stew every year using venison that is made by my grandparents in Texas and sent up to Chicago."
10. Thomas Chen: Tuome (New York City)
Tuome / Via tuomenyc.com, Getty Images
His go-to comfort food: Braised short ribs with winter root vegetables
"This is hands-down my favorite winter meal. All you have to do is sear the short ribs and deglaze the pan with Shaoxing wine. Cover the seared short ribs with water and add root vegetables, soy sauce, and star anise. Then braise until tender."
11. David Bouhadana: Sushi by Bou (New York City)
His go-to comfort food: Shabu-Shabu (Japanese hot pot).
"One of my favorite comfort foods in the winter to prepare at home is Japanese Hot Pot, or Shabu Shabu. The cooking all happens at the pot and the food is then eaten right away. “Shabu Shabu” is loosely translated as “Swish Swish” which is the sound the pot makes when cooking the meat. At the end, the broth will be very flavorful and delicious since all the vegetables and meat have been simmering in it, so I will often add udon noodles to the broth to finish the meal."
12. Mike Lata: FIG & The Ordinary (Charleston)
Eat At Fig / Via eatatfig.com, Getty Images
His go-to comfort food: Beef stew.
"Beef Burgundy calls for beef marinated in red wine and rich spices. You can get creative about what you serve it with, but some favorites are fresh buttered noodles, potato or ricotta gnocchi, Carolina gold rice or rice grits, or even roasted sweet potatoes. It’s a hearty dish that warms your soul – and bones – on a cold day."
13. Lachlan Mackinnon Patterson: Frasca Food and Wine (Boulder) & Pizzeria Locale (Denver)
Frasca Food and Wine / Via frascafoodandwine.com, Getty Images
His go-to comfort food Simple focaccia made with pizza dough.
"This is my go-to comfort food in the winter. The dough will soufflé a bit when cooked, and you can butterfly it open and stuff with anything for a perfect panino."
14. Alex Hong: Sorrel (San Francisco)
Sorrel Restaurant / Via sorrelrestaurant.com, Getty Images
His go-to comfort food: Carrot soup with miso, ginger, coconut, and orange.
"This is my twist on a traditional carrot soup. Crystallised ginger gives it a sweet, spicy kick and texture. The best part is that all of this can be made with one pot and a blender."
15. Alex Seidel: Mercantile Dining & Provision (Denver)
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His go-to comfort food: Duck cassoulet.
"This one dish meal is warming, filling, and satisfying. Along with loaf of crusty bread....it's all you need on a snowy winter day. I've featured it on my menu on many occasions."
16. Reem Assil: Dyafa (Oakland)
Luke Beard, Getty Images
Her go-to comfort food: Sahlab.
"It's an Arabic/Turkish dessert drink, and it's my all-time favorite comfort food. It's served warm and we usually have it in a mug."
17. Dianna Daoheung: Black Seed Bagels (New York City)
c/o Black Seed Bagels, Getty Images
Her go-to comfort food recipe: Beef pho.
"You can make your own beef broth, but if you don’t have time, just grab pre-made beef broth and add spices like cinnamon, star anise, and allspice. Then, grab some rice noodles and the typical fixings: bean sprouts, Thai basil, limes and thinly sliced beef or tofu."
18. Jamie Malone: Grand Cafe & Eastside (Minneapolis)
c/o Grand Cafe, Getty Images
Her go-to comfort food: Chicken chili verde.
"I sear chicken thighs and braise them in blistered tomatillos and onions. Finish it off with crema, lime juice, and cilantro. This meal is super simple, pretty good for you, and incredibly comforting!"
For more inspiration from pro chefs, check out these posts:
Here's What Pro Chefs Cook When They're Feeling Lazy
9 Chefs Share Their Go-To Dinners They Cook For Their Kids
17 Pro Chefs Reveal Their Absolute Favorite Ingredient For Cooking At Home
