Missing my kitchen.

I "met" my (luckily, self-imposed) deadline on Wednesday, two days late, and stayed up (late) last night visiting with a beloved friend and woke up this morning (late) with a teensy bit of a headache that's sticking around, so I'm thinking I might take the day off and just putter in the kitchen. What should I make? What's your go-to menu when you're looking for a little kitchen therapy on a cold, cloudy day in January?

Can you include music to go with the cooking, too? I can't think today.

I just want to cook and listen.

Comments

[Amy Kelly]

Chicken and dumplings and this apple pie for dessert:

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Cinnamon-Crumble-Apple-Pie-108650

[Heather]

Just started reading your blog -- but love it! When I need a cooking fix in winter, I make a soup of some sort....and then a loaf of bread. And I put on Pandora, with a John Mayer/Dave Matthews/REM mix. It's my go-to station.

[Amy Kelly]

And you should listen to Julie Doiron's "Heart & Crime."

:)

[Gabriela]

I'm so sorry to hear you're still under the weather. I am too. For music and recipes, check out my blog at http://gabiwithaneye.blogspot.com

While I'm not the cook, my dear husband (DH) is quite the epicurean. I do hope you feel better soon.

[cindy k]

Some tea and homemade scones while listening to the band The Brilliant Mistakes might banish your headache.
http://www.myspace.com/brilliantmistakes

[jess]

Homemade Chicken soup is my go-to when I want to putter all day long.
I am listening to my music on shuffle and Under the Pink by Tori Amos from the late 90's just came on. Pretty good year indeed...

[laurie in victoria]

Music? Eva Cassidy
Cooking? fresh bread or buns and potato soup :)

[Stephanie]

I had a day like that yesterday. I think chicken strips work well on those kinda days! I have the recipe here - http://stephysrecipes.blogspot.com

[Gemma]

A full day of cooking? Normal some sort of soup and bread for lunch, lasagne for dinner and a cake! Lots of tea whilst making soup and baking and a large glass of wine whilst cooking the lasagne. Music... well I am a big musical fan so probably one of those, at the moment I seem to be swinging between Rent, Wicked and the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang soundtrack.

Whatever you choose have a lovely day off! Sometimes a mental health day is the most necessary thing in the whole world.

[Jessica]

So I'm listening to "The Tallest Man on Earth" at the moment, and about to go make some chocolate chipotle brownies from "Take this food and twist it" cookbook I just got.

So there's that...feel better!!
<3

[Cathy]

Nothing better than homemade soup and homemade bread on a clod winter's day. Music is a must...and warm slippers and a cozy sweater....stay warm!
Cathy

[Mindy]

I put some baked potato soup on with loads of bacon.

I then make bread and cinnamon rolls.

All the while listening to Oldies Rock and singing out loud.

My dog loves it. ~grins~

[Julie]

If it's about the eating - either butternut squash soup http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Butternut-Squash-Soup-II/Detail.aspx or my rip off of Zuppa Toscona and some crusty bread. If it's for the baking and the smell of it you have to try this banana bread! http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Janets-Rich-Banana-Bread/Detail.aspx For music, definitely Dave Matthews/John Mayer/Coldplay. Though lately I've been loving Black Rebel Motorcycle Club!

[Mindy]

Oh! and I forgot to mention that my dog is a CORGI named Gingerbean! You know how they love being in the kitchen!

[Amanda Elizabeth]

I love listening to WCPE online (theclassicalstation.org), its the most calming and amazing classical station. I've been making soups all week, half to eat now, half to freeze for later! I made split pea soup from the most recent Martha Stewart Living and it was *amazing*!

[Julie]

PS - please be sure to post the results tomorrow. You have me yearning to be home being domestic!

[Julie (Knitsational)]

For me it's meatloaf with lots of onions and green peppers. And Etta James to listen to.

Hope you feel better.

[Sue]

My cooking is minimal these days, but I would like to improve. Maybe you can help me do that. I would cook, but I don't have much of a pantry stockpile. What kind of staples do you keep on hand so that you can cook up a storm on these kind of days? Some friends of mine who cook well have multiple kinds of flour on hand. I have one kind -- the one with bugs in it!! Maybe this would be a good topic for a blog post.

TIA

[Bee]

Cold, cloudy day in January, eh? I usually crave comfort food -- pot roast and veggies, or some sort of cheesy pasta dish (maybe lasagna even!) or experimenting with braised meat.

If I'm lacking culinary inspiration, I'll head to thekitchn.com (such a favorite site of mine) and browse around for a while.

Musically, for cooking, I'd recommend The Avett Brothers, although I know from your blog that you're already a fan. How about Blind Pilot, if you haven't checked them out? They're your Portland neighbors, I think. '3 Rounds and a Sound' is amazing.

[Lisa A]

I like to cook to Spanish guitar music. It gets the feet moving and the blood circulating.

[Anne]

My Ideas: Granola... split pea soup... chocolate chip & nut cookies... all to Neko Case.

[Bonney]

I just wanted to tell you that the cup of coffee you have pictured is really a cup full of candy dots. Maybe that's the problem? (Just kidding!!) I hope you make something yummy!

[hayley]

I vote for soup or stew, bread, something with billowy frosting and the stealing beauty soundtrack.

[Liz]

Mexican food and Rosemary Clooney. Those are my go-to fixes on a cold, gloomy day.

[Eva]

A pan of warm gingerbread; Chopin's Nocturnes; a handmade blanket; and a soft sofa with a dog -- or two -- at your feet, alongside a window to stare out of.