New England Recipes: Comfort Food for the Fall

Fall is officially here, which means it's time for sweater weather, pumpkin spice, and comfort foods. Whether they're tossing ingredients in the slow cooker before heading out for a busy day of helping people find their dream homes or spending their days off making something more complex, our real estate agents love cooking this time of year. 

If you're looking for some inspiration, you're in the right place! Here are a few of our favorite recipes for New England comfort foods. 

New England Comfort Foods

• New England Clam Chowder
  Nothing says "comfort" quite like a steaming hot bowl of New England Clam Chowder. This recipe uses thick-cut bacon, potatoes, fresh chopped clams, and just a hint of thyme. The secret ingredient in this recipe is the white pepper, which keeps it "old school" and amazingly delicious. 

• Firehouse Chili
  There's no shortage of chili recipes out there, but this award-winning recipe for Firehouse Chili has the perfect balance of seasoning and plenty of large chunks of meat. If you're looking for a tried and true crowd-pleaser, this is it. While we think this chili is perfect just the way it is, if you want it more or less spicy, you can easily adjust the amount of jalapeno, cayenne pepper, and chili powder to your tastes. 

• Old Fashioned Chicken and Dumplings
  This recipe for Old Fashioned Chicken and Dumplings has been passed down through multiple generations. It's one of the most comforting cold-weather foods, and when you make it, you'll feel just like you've taken a step back to Grandma's kitchen. The secret lies in putting an entire chicken in the pot to make the broth, then adding the chicken back to the soup along with the homemade dumplings at the end of the recipe. 

• Mom's Meatloaf
  Mom's meatloaf is a denser version of the classic recipe. It gets a boost of flavor from chorizo sausage, bacon, and the perfect blend of spices. It's delicious when served with ketchup and sauteed onions. Add a side of mac and cheese or mashed potatoes for the perfect comfort food meal. 

• Lobster Mac & Cheese
  Nothing says comfort food can't also be classy! This recipe for Lobster Mac & Cheese has won multiple awards, and it's easy to see why. With three different types of cheese, plenty of butter and cream, and three pounds of fresh lobster, you'll find this meal perfectly decadent and delicious! 

• Yankee Pot Roast
  Pot Roast is a New England classic. It combines a large chuck roast with beef broth, red wine, carrots, celery, and pearl onions. Serve it over egg noodles or rice for an amazingly satisfying meal. One great thing about this recipe is that there are so many things you can do with leftovers. Our favorite is a thick and cheezy pot roast grilled cheese sandwich. 

• New England Lamb Bake
  This hearty New England Lamb Bake tastes amazing, and it will also fill your home with an incredible aroma. It features a leg of lamb, carrots, leeks, spices, and a topping of sliced potatoes. If you prefer, you can make this with ground lamb or with a chuck roast instead. 

• Crumb-Topped Clams
  Crumb-topped clams combine tasty littleneck clams with a perfectly seasoned topping of breadcrumbs. They're a Christmas Eve favorite in many New England homes but are also an incredible comfort food to enjoy any day of the year. Give them an extra bit of decadence by adding a crispy piece of bacon on top of each clam.  

• New England Bean & Bog Cassoulet
  Another classic local cuisine, New England Bean & Bog Cassoulet is made with baked beans, Italian sausage, chicken, croissants, cranberries, and more. It's a warm, hearty, and heartwarming dish that's perfect for a chilly night. The flavors are a complex mix of sweet and savory, and this dish is surprisingly easy to prepare.   

• Yorkshire Pudding
  This decadent recipe for Yorkshire pudding will take your dinner to the next level. While the word "pudding" may make you think of dessert, this is a puffed pastry baked in meat drippings. It's perfect for absorbing gravy and goes well with roast beef or a roasted chicken. 

• Apple Cider Donuts
  There are few things tastier than a fresh, hot apple cider donut. The combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and cardamom is exactly what the fall season is all about. This recipe makes 12 donuts plus donut holes, so plan to make them when you have company or share them with friends. 

• Cape Cod Blueberry Pie
  This Cape Cod Blueberry Pie has been a Northeastern staple since the 18th century. To make it a true comfort food, use fresh-picked blueberries and top it with fresh cream. If you're serving it in the summertime, you can top it with vanilla ice cream instead.  

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