Any healthy takes on comfort food?

this week, I'm looking for recipe entrees with mashed potato; so, as to cut down portion of potates, but still enjoy them. 'pinterest' online is free and has a ton of ideas. I'm trying pork/sauerkraut and Colcannon, a combination of mashed and cabbage, or otherwise combo. Check for low carb foods for suggestions on pinterest search engine and you save them for yourself in files their online site. for breakfast, steel ground oatmeal; make in bulk and freeze in small portions, in small cake pan, for a hearty breakfast, just take out and microwave with a little milk

Butternut squash purée (you can buy in a can), seasoned, with a bit of low fat milk or milk alternative makes a nice creamy type pasta sauce, try it on buckwheat noodles

https://www.brandnewvegan.com/recipes/best-damn-vegan-chili-ever

Someone posted this recipe on MFP and I made it tonight with boca crumbles. It was INCREDIBLE. I made a few tweaks, I used a tablespoon of oil to sauté the veggies, added like 2 teaspoons of sugar and a teaspoon of salt. I'm going to eat it all fall/winter.

I second skinnytaste.com. Not sure why someone woo'ed that post.

Honestly, I made a meatloaf using 85% ground beef after trying hers and I liked the low calorie one much better (I don't use 99% fat free turkey though... 93% is worth the extra calories). Same after ordering something from a restaurant... I liked hers better and it has half the calories.

The only thing is that a lot of my meals just don't turn out as pretty as hers, but really, it's typically just as satisfying as the real thing (her calorie count can be off though). Except dessert... people can lie to themselves as much as they want, substitutes will never replace the real stuff (but you can 'lighten up' some things with lower fat milk if you're not super picky).

The only 'light' dessert that I actually like is a substitute for apple pie - you still use the crust, but only one at the bottom, and put applesauce then apples on it - no extra sugar, no top crust.

And clafoutis is good too. The rest just doesn't measure up.

JeromeBarry1 wrote: »

If it's comfortable food, weigh your portions and account for the calories accurately.
If it's healthy food, weigh your portions and account for the calories accurately.

There's some doubt in my mind that comfort food is also your idea of healthy.

Yup, or learn to make more calorie/macro friendly versions. Work for some.

glenfinnancandles wrote: »

Homemade Jelly in wee tupperware pots. About 8 cals each and just nice when needing something sweet.

Jelly and Pots? from across the pond or down under I guess?

Here is a comfort dinner.
Roast Pork - even the kids will eat this

Boneless Pork Loin, trimmed
Oregano
Salt
Pepper
1 T Grapeseed oil or something for searing. Olive oil will work too. You can play with this to reduce the calories.
Garlic two or more cloves chopped (you could sub garlic powder)
1/2 pound or so of chopped tomatoes, cherry tomatoes or peppers or even string beans (which soak up the lemon flavor and will taste like a mild saurkraut)
1/2 cup or so of wine, any color works
Juice of one lemon or 2 Tablespoons of vinegar

Preheat oven at 400 degrees.
1.Coat the roast in the dry condiments (salt, pepper, oregano and if you use it, the garlic powder). Just shake them all around and rub them over the surface.
2. Heat the oil in a flameproof/oven safe casserole dish that has room for the roast and a little more for the vegetables you choose. Sear the seasoned meat on all sides.
3. Add the garlic and brown for about 30 seconds or so. You can turn off the heat at this point
4. Place vegetables (whatever you chose), lemon juice and wine around the meat.
5. Place dish in oven, uncovered. Add a little water to keep the vegetables from drying out and burning as needed. You can turn and baist the meat from time to time. It should be done in about an hour depending on the size of the roast. 140 to 160 degrees works well, depends on how well done you like it. I like the lower numbers because I like it to be moist. My husband likes it dried out a little to he prefers the higher number. Remember the roast will continue to cook a little after you take it out of the oven to rest 10 minutes.
6. Slice, put some of the vegetable mixture on top. Serve with vegetable, starch or whatever is appropriate for you. Sauteed apples or pears always goes with pork. You can cook some carrot spears under the pork which will absorb all the flavors and juice from the meat.

My comfort foods are typically soups and stews, etc...for the most part, they are pretty low calorie.

I was in Walmart today and saw there are all sorts of vegtable "pasta" and potato offerings in the frozen foods section. Green Giant and Byrd's eye have several items.