It should come as no surprise to anyone that I absolutely love comfort food. And, I couldn’t be more delighted about the wave of new restaurants specializing in comfort foods. Seriously. It’s all over the place. You can probably open up one of your fancy food magazines right now and find a hearty comfort food recipe for meatballs or macaroni and cheese. Does anyone tire of it? I don’t. This is the stuff on which I was raised. It is the food that makes you feel warm inside when it’s dead winter or you’re having a miserable day. Of course, comfort food is also the stuff primarily responsible for the large amount of meat on my bones throughout my childhood years. Yes. It’s a fabulous thing.
It’s become apparent to me recently, however, there is a glaring absence on many comfort food restaurant menus. While I wholeheartedly agree tuna melts and meatloaf sandwiches are wonderfully delicious, I’ll take a toasty chunk of noodle kugel over them any day of the week.
Have you had noodle kugel? If you’re Jewish, I’m willing to bet it’s a staple at your family gatherings. If you’re not Jewish, bear with me for a moment. Kugel sounds a bit strange and possibly off-putting if you are unfamiliar with it. While many of you might enjoy indulging in breakfast for dinner on occasion, it’s entirely another thing to mix elements of both in one meal. However, I assure you kugel is a miraculous food. The comforting egg pasta mixes perfectly with the sweet pineapple and the rich cheeses. It’s like macaroni and cheese and blintzes all mixed up together in one bite. In short, it’s heaven.
It’s also the perfect food to bring over to a sick friend or, in this case, to a family with a newborn baby. I know I was very thankful for all the lovely meals people made for us after Maeve was born. So, today, I carry on the tradition in true comfort food style. And, although I’m not Jewish, I do believe a Jewish grandmother inhabits my body from time to time. I welcome her with open arms just as I welcome another Baby M into this world. I’m quite certain Baby M will appreciate the warmth of a good noodle kugel. I can see it in her sparkly baby eyes.
I encourage you to try out this kugel recipe for your own purposes. It will surely bring you comfort no matter the situation. Of course, let me know what you think. I don’t need much encouragement. I plan to be the first to launch the campaign urging restaurant owners to include kugel on their daily menus.
Noodle Kugel
For noodles:
1 pound dried wide egg noodles
1/2 stick (1/4 cup) unsalted butter, cut into 1/4 inch cubes
1 cup lowfat milk
5 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 (1-pound) container sour cream
1 (1-pound) container small curd cottage cheese (4% fat)
1 (20-ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained
For topping:
2 cups cornflakes, coarsely crushed
2 heaping teaspoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 1/4 inch cubes
Put oven rack in middle position and preheat to 350°F. Butter a 13- by 9- by 2-inch glass or ceramic baking dish.
Cook noodles in a 6- to 8-quart pot of boiling salted water until al dente. Drain well in a colander, then return to warm pot and add butter, tossing until noodles are coated.
Whisk together milk, eggs, sugar, vanilla, and salt until combined, then whisk in sour cream. Stir in cottage cheese and pineapple and add to noodles, stirring to coat well, then spoon into baking dish.
Make topping and bake kugel:
Stir together cornflakes, sugar, and cinnamon and sprinkle evenly over noodles. Dot with butter and bake until kugel is set and edges are golden brown, about 1 hour. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
Adapted from Gourmet
I LOVE kugel! My favorite kugel recipe is a vegan one that uses tofu instead of dairy, and OJ instead of milk. Noodles are tossed with raisins and chopped apple – it is truly delish. It’s the “Fruity tofu lokshen kugel” in this book: http://www.amazon.com/Jewish-Holiday-Cookbook-Gloria-Kaufer/dp/0812912241
Laurel, That sounds fantastic. Thanks for sharing!
i don’t know about the pineapple. just read above comment and may consider apple. HOWEVER, i will have me some of the baby….so very very cute. cherish, for they grow up so fast.
I have to admit, when I first read “pineapple” I was a little wary…but after reading through the whole recipe it sounds like Kugel is a delightfully sweet and savory treat. I’ll think I’ll try it this weekend!
The kugel sounds good, but I had to comment on Maeve’s picture. She is so completely, blissfully beautiful!
Can’t take my eyes off of baby. She appears to be smiling slightly as she sleeps. Simply amazing…
I love kugels! This recipe is wonderful and I love the topping.
a cute picture of Maeve.
Cheers,
Rosa
I never had kugels but it sounds like a fabulous treat!!
Maeve is so cute the way she’s sleeping!!
It´s the first time I heard about kugels, the recipe sounds interesting and obviously conforting and ready to feed a crowd.
Your baby is lovely!, oh god, they grown up so fast!!!.
Big hug from Spain
oh what a precious picture – and I think you should start that comfort trend…I’d definitely go to your restaurant!
So, I thought you were joking when you mentioned pineapple, but sure enough! I’ll have to try it, hope it turns out as beautiful as yours!
P.S. Most adorable picture there at the end!
I’ve never had a Kugel before…but it looks very very good! Might just be the perfect week to try it out. The picture of K & M is beautiful…she is getting so big
xo e
I have to admit, despite being Jewish, I have never had Noodle Kugel! Crazy, I know! It was never a staple in our house, but I feel like I have been seeing it everywhere. You make it sound so delicious. I love how you say a Jewish grandmother inhabits your body from time to time
Aww, that last photo is just precious.
Ah, the precious baby picture! I’ve never had Noodle Kugel, but I don’t see anything it that I don’t like. It reminds me of the PBS Create channel’s advertisement where a lady says, “Don’t be messing with my Noodle Kugel.” I always wonder, who is messing with her Noodle Kugel? It must be good if she’s so passionate about it!
Such a sweet photo of the little one!
Our family recipe (that, yes, is at most gatherings) uses pineapple too but I have never seen another recipe that does! Wow!
Maeve is soooo cute. You are making me want a(nother) newborn so badly….
That is such a sweet shot of Maeve and her Dad (I presume). And I love breakfast for dinner! We make a fritata or omelette for dinner at least once a week. The kugel sounds delicous!
So THAT’S what noodle kugel is. Is it traditionally served as an entree or dessert? Either way, I like the sound of those flavors. That last photo makes you melt!
Cheers,
*Heather*
Heather,
It’s an entree. I know it’s strange, but it works!
xo
Oh I can’t stand it! Look at that cute face of hers!
Oh yeah, good job on the kugel recipe too. ha
I have never tried kugel, but understand it to be an old time honored entree or dessert. It will be fun to give it a try, thanks for sharing the recipe. I do have to say however, Miss Meave is almost smiling in her Dad’s arms, so sweet. It is always a pleasure to see a happy baby.
Delicious. The baby, I mean.
I’ve never had Kugel, but I’m sure it’s lovely, also.
Is there any complimentary vegetable to serve along side the kugel?
Great question! I usually serve kugel alongside a green salad, but maybe roasted beets or asparagus? Let me know how it turns out!
Aw I adore beautiful sleeping Maeve in Daddy’s arms XD. I’ve never tried kugel but am definitely open to loving it. From your description, I’ve definitely been missing out for 25 years. I need to make up for lost time!
just a quick note to say how sweet is Maeve! can babies at this age be more precious?!
Ooo, this is wonderful. I grew up with kugel too but we usually only had it as a side dish (maybe because i’m only half jewish
I was just going to ask you what to serve with it or if it could be the main dish. Looks like you’ve answered that a couple comments up.
Thx for posting this!
oooh. this rivals my other fave comfort foods like mac + cheese, a peanut butter sandwich, stews + soup. cannot wait to try it. i’ve often considered the idea i have a little jewish inside of me [says the catholic raised filipino girl] so it’s a must do in this rainy wet weather. thx for sharing, robin. m is just beautiful. those red locks are to die for.
I grew up on noodle kugel- noodle pudding we called it. But we never had it with pineapple. I love making it with raisins. They plump up and give a wonderful spicy flavor to a bite.
Oh my Gosh, Robin! M is so cute-she looks like she’s dreaming in that photo. Dreaming of something lovely at that (smile)!
By the way, my Cauldron Boy is Jewish. I’m totally making this. I just went to the store for this week, but I’m putting the ingredients on my list for next week. Thanks, Lady:-)
I think this is the first time that I am learning about kugel. The list of ingredients scream comfort to me. I like the contrast of textures.
featuring this wonderful recipe on Wednesday’s wanderings, thanks.
I made this for a potluck last night. Beautiful! I was skeptical about the pineapple as well, but once I tasted it I loved it. I think I’ll put more pineapple in next time!
Whitney,
Thanks for writing. I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
xo
Robin
I’m all about comfort food! Especially Kugel! Great recipe. Pineapples might be a bit too much though…. You got me hungry now
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