When the days are short and the temps are low, many of us turn to classic comfort foods prepared at home.
These traditional recipes from Jewish Baltimore foodie Ilene Spector will warm your heart and fill your belly.

Buffet Meat Surprise
Ingredients
- 4 to 5 pounds boneless chuck roast (fairly lean, if possible)
- 30 to 40 ounces canned sauerkraut, drained (I use 30 ounces)
- 1 pound box dark brown sugar (brown sugar Splenda can be substituted)
- 28 ounces canned diced tomatoes with liquid
- 1 large whole onion, chopped, not diced
- 2 large Granny Smith apples, cut up, peeled, and cored
Instructions
- Place meat in a very large roasting pan on top of stove or a big crock pot, 5-6 quarts).
- Dump the drained sauerkraut on top of the meat. On top of that, empty the box of sugar. Next the tomatoes and liquid. Place the onion and apple pieces around the meat. (I keep the meat on the bottom and kind of mix everything else around and on top of it, opening the pot after half the time to mix again and break the meat up into pieces).
- Cook in a crock pot on low for 4-5 hours or high for 3-4 hours. You can also cover and cook in the oven at 350 degrees or on stove on low-medium. The meat needs a few hours of cooking to shred and combine with other flavors, so check and stir occasionally whichever heat you choose. Cook until the meat falls apart into small pieces, and the sauerkraut just about disappears.
Notes
Stuffed vegetables invite creativity, but there are some "rules" when it comes to cooking. Vered Guttman shares six veggie-stuffing tips.
On this episode of "The Food Enthusiast," Dara Bunjon talks with Anne-Marie Bonneau, author of "The Zero-Waste Chef."
This roasted eggplant recipe from Elite Jakob is easy, quick and delicious, perfect as a side dish, for brunch or next to fish or chicken or meat dishes.
Dara Bunjon talks with wine aficionado Zena Polin, proprietor of Beauty Champagne and Sugar Boutique and co-host of the "When You Just Want a Glass of Wine" podcast.
