As the air gets colder, it seems the kitchen starts to feel warmer, and the meals weigh you down into a sleepier state. In my opinion, the colder months are perfect for southern comfort food, and that is what I grew up eating as a kid. Pork chops, mashed potatoes, fried okra, green beans so seasoned they aren’t considered healthy anymore, rolls, the list goes on.

Even though I am vegan and have been for the past six years now, I have learned how to make substitutions and work my way around eating my favorite foods from my childhood. Here are some of the foods I am so excited to eat as the leaves start falling outside my window.

Chicken and Dumplings

This is my all time favorite food to eat in the fall and winter months, and my mom makes the best chicken and dumplings that I have ever eaten.

if the dumplings aren’t huge, I don’t want it. To me, that is the best part! I just substitute some chicken alternative and broth and it is delicious. I am a big pepper fan, so my bowl would look a bit darker than the image I found here.

Shepherd’s Pie

Shepherd’s pie is everything you could want in a meal in one dish. it has meat and veggies at the bottom, topped with mashed potatoes, and cheese if you’d like. For the people who don’t like their food categories touching, this may be a nightmare for you, but this is probably the best dinner invention ever.

It’s an all-in-one and surprisingly I have only had the vegan version of this dish, it is not one that I grew up eating. Shepherd’s pie has become something I look forward to eating every year, I am surprised that I don’t eat it more often

Chili

If you know me, you know that I love spicy food, and chili is the best way to turn up the heat when it is cold outside. Homemade chili is unmatched, but if I want something fast and easy I always go for the Amy’s brand medium or hot canned chili. I always end up adding some extra spice, and it is coupled with a sleeve of Ritz crackers.

Cornbread

These last foods are going to be sides because honestly I am a big fan of the “girl dinner”, just snacks that equate to a full meal at times haha. sometimes you just want a little something and not have to sit for hours preparing and cooking food just for yourself.

One of the things I like eating in the fall with or without soup or chili or a main dish, is cornbread. It is lightly sweet, the texture is great, and I always load it up with butter. I could eat many slices or muffins of it in one sitting, sometimes I can’t even wait until they’ve cooled out of the oven.

Mac n’ Cheese

Ever since Kraft came out with their plant based version of their classic Mac n cheese I have never been happier. Mac and cheese, a roll, chicken, and maybe some green beans sounds so good right now. I also just eat the Mac and cheese on its own if I don’t feel like cooking an entire meal, I always add plenty of butter, salt, and pepper to mine. Do you add pepper? It is a new love of mine.

One thing I also want to try and make this fall is a vegan version of baked Mac and cheese. I have heard that it is amazing but I’m not sure of the last time I tried it or if I was a fan or not. It has been a really long time since I have had any meal with dairy products, especially cheese.

Conclusion

What are your favorite comfort meals or foods? Do you agree with my lists of favorites? I have been eating a lot of quick and easy meals, but I’d like to start cooking some of these things now that it is colder outside here. Maybe I’ll even eat a meal or two outside with the puppies soon.

See you all tomorrow!