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***vegan recipe included for each dish!
We’ve all got our favorite comfort foods. Perhaps it’s something you grew up eating and makes you feel all warm and happy on the inside or a dish you discovered and fell in love with later in life that also makes you feel all warm and happy on the inside.
Comfort food varies from country to country and also person to person, so everyone has different tastes and favorite meal of course. Maybe yours is a big bowl of spaghetti or a big bowl of flavorful rice. Tomato or curry, soup or stew, and so on!
These meals cheer us up when we’re down and what better time to feel joy than by recreating one of your favorite comfort foods for yourself and/or your self isolating household! It’s proven that a delicious smell can evoke a positive memory, something personal that travels from plate to a fond memory. Sometimes that’s all we need to feel better!
We’ve rounded up the ultimate list of comfort food recipes that are easy to learn and make yourself. Although the first half of this list we’ve rounded up are popular dishes from around the region, the rest of the list includes a few comfort foods from around the world. The best part is that they’re not difficult to make so we hope you get to enjoy the process of preparing a meal! Check out the list of 20 comfort foods from various places.
1. Shakshuka
Most likely originated from Libya or Tunisia: poached eggs on top of a rich and herby tomato filling often eaten with a side of bread.
Get the recipe here.
Get the vegan recipe here.
2. Kushari
From Egypt: widely popular and considered a national dish, also very popular in Bahrain. Made out of pantry staples like chickpeas, pasta, lentils, rice, caramelized onions, and a vinegary tomato sauce.
Get the recipe here.
3. Fatayer with spinach and labneh fillings
From Levantine culture; widely popular all over the Middle East, eaten a lot in Bahrain. Warm pastries filled with cheese, labneh, often spices, zaa’tar and other toppings included.
Get the recipe here.
Get the vegan recipe here.
4. Chicken Musakhan Rolls
From Palestine: Musakhan is easy to make and so flavourful. Ingredients are simple using olive oil, sumac, pine nuts.
Get the recipe here.
Get the vegan recipe here.
5. Moghrabieh
From Levantine culture, most likely originated in Morocco and Tunisia and made it across to Syria, Lebanon, Palestine. A simple dish made out of couscous pearls chickpeas, onions, chicken all nestled in a broth.
Get the recipe here.
6. Meatballs with rice
Meatballs are known all over the world and every household and country have their own recipes. It is a versatile dish and can be eaten on any type of carb. However it is so satisfying to have that combination of meatball, sauce, and rice.
Get the recipe here.
Get the vegan recipe here.
7. Kabsa
Place of origin is Saudi Arabia and it is their national dish although super popular and a national dish across the GCC. A aromatic spiced rice and vegetable dish topped with a protein like chicken, fish, or meat.
Get the recipe here.
Get the vegan recipe here.
8. Machboos
Originates from Bahrain, similar to Kabsa with ingredients but contains Bahraini spices.
Get the recipe here.
Get the vegan recipe here.
9. Biryani
From India, super popular in Bahrain and all over the world. The combination of rice, spices, flavorful curry is super comforting.
Get the recipe here.
Get the vegan recipe here.
10. Kababs
Originates from the Middle East and is a super popular dish. The recipes vary but they are great with bread and hummus although side dish options are endless. Learn to make them at home!
Get the recipe here.
Get the vegan recipe here.
11. Shepherd’s Pie
Originates from Ireland and UK but popular in North America. Consists of a saucy, meaty, veggie filling topped with a mashed potato layer.
Get the recipe here.
Get the vegan recipe here.
12. Burrito Bowl
Burritos originated from Mexico. Love Chipotle (or FireGrill)? You can make this Burrito bowl at home for the same satisfying healthy fix. Simple ingredients yet super flavorful together.
Get the recipe here.
(Can add Steak or Chicken otherwise this is a meat-free recipe)
13. Mac and Cheese
Originates from Italy but became a national dish in North America. It’s super simple with basically just cheese, butter, pasta, but so comforting and can be remixed to include other ingredients.
Get the recipe here.
Get the vegan recipe here.
14. Mozzarella Stuffed Meatball Pasta
Known to have originated in the USA although has Italian routes. Spaghetti and meatballs is enjoyed worldwide though and is one of the ultimate comfort food dishes out there. Up the game with these mozzarella stuffed meatballs,
Get the recipe here.
Get the vegan recipe here.
15. French Onion Soup
From France: a combination of buttery croutons with melted cheese on top of a rich and flavorful onion-filled broth.
Get the recipe here.
Get the vegan recipe here.
16. Grilled Cheese
Murky history timeline since cheese and bread were eaten together since Ancient Roman times, and the French invented the Croque Monsieur in 1900, but the grilled cheese that we know and love today comes from the USA.
Get the recipe here.
Get the vegan recipe here.
17. Pad Thai
Invented in Thailand and loved all over the world, this is the ultimate bowl of umami flavors and once you grab all your ingredients, it’s super easy to assemble. The sauce is made of fish sauce, vinegar, sugar and tamarind paste and topped with cilantro and peanuts.
Get the recipe here.
Get the vegan recipe here.
18. Sausage and Tortellini Soup
Not sure where this originates from either Italy or the USA, but is a super comforting dish and one of the easiest recipes on this list. It is a tomato based soup with cheese tortellini pasta and Italian sausage
Get the recipe here.
Get the vegan recipe here.
19. Cacio a Pepe
Italy origin, so basic and easy to make yet so comforting. One of the easiest recipes on the list. Includes pasta, parmesan, salt, and pepper, that’s it!
Get the recipe here.
Get the vegan recipe here.
20. Ramen
It originates from China although popular in Korea and Japan, and many parts of the world. Every child growing up in the Middle East knows of the ramen noodle packets and college kids worldwide. But to have an authentic ramen dish you’ll need to follow this recipe to take it to the ultimate comfort food level.
Get the recipe here.
Get the vegan recipe here.
