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Relaxing Recipes

March 12, 2013
Photo: Oxmoor House
Looking for just the thing to add to your prescription for a moment of calm? We suggest comfort foods that can lift your mood and decrease stress levels, and no, we're not talking about wine. Our cheesy, creamy, and bread-based foods will definitely help you unwind. When you opt for healthier versions of your favorite foods, you're choosing to feed both your body and soul with soothing recipes that can help you relax.
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Relax and Bliss Out

Photo: Con Poulos
View Recipe: French Onion Soup 

Simmer down and loosen up while creating these scrumptious good-mood recipes. With a list that includes everything from enchiladas to cocktails, there’s a recipe to help you relax and unwind on any given day.

First up is our French Onion Soup. French onion soup is such a simple dish that the ingredients and the way they’re cooked make all the difference. It’s worth the effort to make your own stock for this simple soup, but if you want to save time, you can use store-bought unsalted beef stock or lower-sodium broth.

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New York Cheesecake

Photo: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: New York Cheesecake

For a denser, creamier texture, cool the cake in the oven one hour with the oven door ajar instead of closed. Make a day ahead since the cooled cake needs to chill overnight. Serve cake with seasonal fruit: Berries, cherries, and sliced stone fruit are all good options.

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Caramelized Onion, Gruyere, and Bacon Spread

Photo: John Autry
View Recipe: Caramelized Onion, Gruyere, and Bacon Spread 

Serve this savory caramelized onion, Gruyère, and bacon spread with crackers or bread slices. If you can't find Gruyère, substitute raclette, fontina, or Swiss cheese.

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All-American Chili

Photo: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: All-American Chili

Chili is almost an American symbol of winter comfort—or a fun football night. Like most chilis, this one tastes even better the next day, once the flavors have had a chance to mingle and meld.

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Melty Monsieur

Photo: John Autry
View Recipe: Melty Monsieur

A lighter take on the classic croque monsieur—there’s no egg dip, and they’re served open-faced—these sandwiches are equally kid friendly and adult pleasing.

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Walnut-Breadcrumb Pasta with a Soft Egg

Photo: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Walnut-Breadcrumb Pasta with a Soft Egg

A soft-cooked egg coats the pasta and adds rich flavor to this rustic dish. The key to success with the eggs is to plunge them quickly into ice water to stop the cooking.

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Spring Risotto

Photo: John Autry
View Recipe: Spring Risotto

An Italian dish based on creamy rice, risotto is perfect when you want to curl up with a bowl of something warm and soothing.

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Beef and Black Bean Enchiladas

Photo: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Beef and Black Bean Enchiladas

To save time creating this delectable dish, you can make all of the components ahead and simply assemble the enchiladas just before baking.

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Eggs Blindfolded Over Garlic-Cheddar Grits

Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Eggs Blindfolded Over Garlic-Cheddar Grits

Many grits lovers say the most flavorful variety is stone-ground yellow grits, which will also take longer to cook (but can be worth the wait). Take your pick before preparing this recipe: Stone-ground grits are more coarse than regular grits; instant grits have been precooked and dehydrated.

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French Toast with Maple-Apple Compote

Photo: Gentyl & Hyers
View Recipe: French Toast with Maple-Apple Compote

Challah is a rich, traditional Jewish bread; substitute Hawaiian bread if challah isn’t available. Maple and apples make this a comforting, warming meal.

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Savory Bread Puddings with Ham and Cheddar

Photo: John Autry
View Recipe: Savory Bread Puddings with Ham and Cheddar

Bread pudding becomes a main dish inspired by the flavors of a loaded baked potato. Preparing the puddings in individual ramekins gives them a dressier feel and shortens cook time.

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Peach "Fried" Pies

Photo: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Peach “Fried” Pies

Dried peaches make this dessert a year-round option. Keeping dough ingredients chilled ensures a crisp, tender crust, which is baked rather than fried.

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Bourbon-Maple Sour

Photo: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Bourbon-Maple Sour

The perfect mix of sweet maple, tart lemon, and the warmth of bourbon makes this cocktail a keeper. For an extra hit of maple, dip wet glass rims in maple sugar.

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Cheesy Potato Soup

Photo: John Autry
View Recipe: Cheesy Potato Soup

Serve a rich and hearty cheesy soup as part of a comforting cool-weather meal. When making this soup, stir in the cheese and remove from heat as soon as it melts to prevent curdling.

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Tuna Salad Melt

Photo: Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Tuna Salad Melt

Update a childhood favorite by adding walnuts and chickpeas to tuna salad. Here, the cheese goes directly on the bread (instead of on top of the sandwich) to help keep the bread from getting soggy.

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