We’ve all been at the point where we absolutely don’t want to leave our comfortable sweats and the warmth of our laptop to venture out to satiate those period cravings. Because who wants to deal with getting dressed and driving and shopping and all of those nuisances? It’s especially annoying when people tell you to simply “eat a handful of almonds” or a “slice of cheese and a pear.” These are actual instructions on multiple health food sites. It’s hard to believe that any of these people have experienced cramps and cravings before, because never has a slice of cheese ever satisfied me in any situation.
Here are a few perfect comfort recipes ranging from savory to sweet to fresh, all of them requiring only a handful of ingredients and very little preparation time. These recipes have been tweaked to perfection through a lot of trial and error. Try them out for a very satisfying treat!
Acai Bowl (Time required: 10 minutes)
Image courtesy of The Chalkboard.
If you’re craving the cold and sweet comforts of ice cream but don’t feel like dealing with the guilt of it, an acai bowl is a great alternative. It’s incredibly light, fruity, and healthy! This works great as a morning food or even a late night snack when you’re craving something a little cold and refreshing.
Ingredients
- Blender
- Frozen acai package – can be purchased at most grocery stores
- Granola
- Nuts
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Raspberries
- Optional:Fruit juice
- Anything goes!
Instructions
- Heat the frozen package under warm water until slightly thawed
- Add appropriate amount of liquid as advised on package (water is fine, but fruit juice like orange or pineapple is even better)
- Blend until you get an ice cream like consistency
- Put all the toppings to your heart’s desire! A nice crunch with some fresh fruits is an ideal combination.
Avocado Toast (Time required: 5 minutes)
Image courtesy of Food52.
Avocados are super rich and satisfying; they contain very healthy fats and can freshen up your taste buds. You can make this as simple as avocado spread over toast or make a few variations for a fancier snack that’s still incredibly easy to make and eat. This one’s a great breakfast choice for those morning cramps.
Ingredients
- Bread – plain toast works, but any sourdough or focaccia is especially delightful
- Avocado – one avocado can be spread over two pieces of bread
- Salt and pepper
- Olive oil
- Lemon juice
- Optional: Red pepper flakes
- Optional: Egg
Instructions
- Toast two slices of bread
- Deseed the avocado and put into bowl
- Begin to lightly mash the avocado with a fork (don’t kill it, just make it spreadable!)
- Mix in lemon juice and olive oil
- Add salt and pepper to taste
- Spread the mixture evenly across the toasted bread
- Extras: Sprinkle some red pepper flakes over the top for a little kick or a fried egg to really make it a breakfast delight
Chocolate Panini (Time required: 10 minutes)
Image courtesy of In the Kitchen with Stefano Faita.
This is definitely a treat yo’ self recipe but it’s the ultimate comfort snack. It’ll satiate your chocolate cravings in the best way possible with a warm and gooey crunch.
Ingredients
- Chocolate – semi-sweet chocolate chips for convenience or your favorite bar of dark chocolate; dark chocolate works best taste-wise and it also has health benefits
- Two slices of bread – regular sliced bread or sourdough for a better taste
- Optional: Strawberries or bananas
Instructions
- Unless you have a Panini press (because really who does) treat this like you’re making a grilled cheese and heat up a pan with two slices facing down
- You can use butter for a better crunch, but it’s not necessary and not the most healthy idea
- Sprinkle the chocolate generously on one side and put the other slice on top
- Use a spatula to gently press down the sandwich
- Keep flipping it evenly
- Optional: Add strawberries or bananas to the middle for a little fruitiness
- Optional: Use an oven instead to get faster results
Pizza Toast (Time required: 20 minutes)
Image courtesy of Kitchen Food Garden.
This recipe is great because if you have any fixings for a sandwich and maybe a few veggies, you’ll be set. It’s basically a low commitment pizza with all the satisfaction of a real one!
Ingredients
- A slice of bread or baguette – substitute with whole wheat for healthy alternative
- Marinara sauce – you can just use pasta sauce from the jar
- Ham, turkey, chicken – any deli meats or leftovers work great
- Cheese of your choice – mozzarella works best!
- Any veggies – onions, spinach, basil, cherry tomatoes, peppers all work great
Instructions
- Spread a layer of sauce on slice of bread
- Affix any toppings of your choice with the protein on the bottom, veggies on top, and cheese sprinkled generously to cover all of it
- Put in toaster oven or regular oven until the cheese melts and turns golden brown
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