I am among the scant few who actually like “falling back.” For me, the end of daylight-saving time ushers in the season of cozy comfort food: soups, stews, casseroles, hearty pasta dishes. Although such fare may not be considered sophisticated, I do not shy away from serving it to dinner guests. Nor, reader, should you. Here are ideas for casual fall gatherings that feature comfort food.
Casseroles Can Be Elegant. Ish.
You might think of casseroles as being lowbrow. Really though, darling, what’s not to like about the conglomeration of a protein, a carb, and a veggie bound with a thickener and baked into a crispy, cheesy, bubbling mass? Served with a fresh green salad at a prettily set table, paired with a good wine, the humblest of casseroles soars high above its station. Among my (too) many cookbooks is Park Avenue Potluck, published as a fundraiser for a tony NYC charity, which contains many exceptional casserole recipes, such as Palm Springs chile con queso and a stellar recipe for moussaka (the Greek version of lasagna, but you probably already know that). You can email me for these recipes and for my cooking buddy the Insufferable Food Snob Don Loncasty’s legendary tuna noodle casserole and Chicken Divan. I’ll include Ina Garten’s endive, pear and Roquefort salad, which would be perfect in the role of the aforementioned fresh green salad.
Everybody Loves Noodles
Pasta is a universally loved comfort food that pleases a wide range of palates. I have a magnificent recipe called rigatoni country style, made with sausage, beans, and broccoli, perfect for a casual fall dinner party. Ina Garten’s baked rigatoni with lamb ragu (Can you tell rigatoni is my favorite pasta?) is fabulous and you can make the whole thing a day or two ahead. If you’re feeding vegetarians, they will love cacio e pepe from the Farina cookbook, and other pasta recipes that make it easy to remove meat or seafood. I also have a recipe for one-pan linguine (see recipe below). It’s so easy you can prepare it on one burner while on another you’re making the meat-based pasta sauce you’re serving your carnivore guests.
Chieeeeefs, Baby!
Even if you serve only Fritos and beer, it’s fun to gather friends around your telly to watch our world-famous Chiefs go for a three-peat. When providing something more substantial than snacks, you want make-ahead things so you don’t miss a minute of the game. Chili with toppings is a can’t-miss option. Ina Garten’s sliders with gruyere are a bit fancier, as are pulled pork sliders with slaw. Email me, I have recipes! Or you could pick up the most excellent buffalo wings with blue cheese sauce from The Peanut. Then again, you could go all-out and get the whole thing catered from Q39. Don’t forget you need something sweet, like Ina Garten’s peanut butter globs recipe or mine for blondies. Both are yours for the asking.
Comforting
Trays are a must for dining in front of the tube, with or without guests. Sturdy, stackable bamboo wicker serving trays can be found on Amazon, six for about $70.
Barilla gluten-free pasta is closest to regular pasta when it comes to taste and texture. You can find it in larger grocery stores. Your GF guests will love you for it.
Farina by Michael David Smith, the chef/owner of the popular restaurant Farina, offers brilliant takes on classic pasta recipes. Buy a signed copy at Rainy Day Books, Pryde’s Kitchen and Necessities, or the restaurant.
Emile Henry baking dishes can go from freezer or fridge straight to the oven and clean up in a snap. Perfect for casseroles! You can find them at Pryde’s Kitchen and Necessities in Westport.
Sempre Beve Saluté scented candles, made in Kansas City, are my favorite candles to burn and give. Presented in reusable, sand-etched cocktail glasses, each candle comes with its own aperitif recipe. You can find them at Terrasi Living on the Plaza.
If you love the chewy crust on brownies, a brownie edge pan is for you. Each brownie in the batch will have its own delicious corner crust. Available at Williams Sonoma.
A Fabulous Recipe
If you cook, you need this classic recipe in your arsenal because it’s so easy and delicious. Make it once following the recipe, and then experiment with the ingredients. Adapted from a recipe by Martha Stewart
One-Pan Linguini: The Pasta that Makes Its Own Sauce
- 12 ounces linguine
- 12 ounces cherry or grape tomatoes, halved or quartered if large
- 1 onion, thinly sliced (about 2 cups)
- 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- ¼ teaspoon red-pepper flakes or to taste
- Large sprig basil, plus torn leaves for garnish
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for serving
- Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
- 4 1/2 cups water
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for serving
Combine pasta, tomatoes, onion, garlic, red-pepper flakes, basil, oil, 2 teaspoons salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and water in a large straight-sided skillet. (A 14-inch skillet is ideal.) Bring to a boil over high heat.
Boil mixture, stirring and turning pasta frequently with tongs, until pasta is al dente and water has nearly evaporated, about 12-15 minutes. (The original recipe says nine minutes, but that’s never been the case for me. Start checking at nine, just to be safe.)
Season to taste with salt and pepper, divide among four bowls, and garnish with basil. Serve with oil and Parmesan.
Ask Merrily
Find answers to all your entertaining questions.
Q: I’m not in a position to entertain at home. What are some ways I can reciprocate the hospitality of friends who invite me over?
A: Most frequent hosts understand that not everyone can entertain as easily as they do. Don’t assume your friends expect you to reciprocate with the same type of hospitality they offer. What matters is that you stay in touch. Treat your friends to dinner at a nice restaurant. If you don’t have a lot of money to spend, call or text your friends and ask them to meet you somewhere for pizza and beer. Or buy tickets to a play or fundraiser and ask them to join you. Just make the effort to maintain the friendship and to let your friends know how much you appreciate their invitations, and that you’d like to do something to reciprocate. And when you do have a party, put them at the top of your list.
Do you have a question about entertaining? Email it to mjackson@inkansascity.com