Back to Articles

Tuck into the Comfort of a Bread Bed

Published October 2, 2023

Comment

Embrace the new season with something soft and luxe spooned over a thick slice of crunchy toast

I bristle at the idea that comfort food must be soft. Two textures are more calming than one. First you gnash in to meet the resistance and gravity of everyday life teeth-on with a crunch — desperate to find the balm you know must be there — then mid-bite a soothing ooze takes over and all is right with the world. Now that’s the kind of hug we all need to be eating right now as the days grow darker. 

So when summer suddenly ends but you’re not quite ready for the straight-up heartiness of Mushroom-Barley Soup, try making bread beds. Start with plant-driven quick braises and saucy stir-fries — maybe soupy beans or mashed vegetables and a fried egg. Then meld the casual vibe of warm-weather cooking with the first nip of fall by eating a generous spoonful of whatever you’ve got over thickly sliced toast. You know, like a firm mattress topped with a cozy comforter.

Log in, or become a member today.

Join in: enjoy 7 days free, plus 40% off your first year with access to 1,000+ highly vetted recipes from the How To Cook Everything series and beyond, essays from Mark, and original pieces from our contributors.

Join annually and save 40%
Log in to your account

GetBetterFasterHealthierSmarterTastier

in the Kitchen

Through our (more than a thousand, and growing) highly vetted recipes from the How to Cook Everything series, original food essays and reporting, thoughtful podcast conversations and introductions to new and responsible food products, we aim to showcase what’s possible, from farm to fork, and power a growing movement that encourages people to think about food not as a commodity, but as central to our health and happiness.

Start your free trial

We hope you join us on this journey. We’d love to have you as a part of the Bittman community. As a member, you'll have access to:

  • New recipes every week
  • 1000s of recipes from How to Cook Everything and beyond
  • First access to in-person events with Mark and Kate
  • Exclusive discounts from our favorite brands
  • Q&As with Mark and the team

 

Subscribe to our free newsletter

Join over 105,000 passionate individuals who receive our weekly emails. It’s 100% free and you can unsubscribe anytime. Plus, we’ll email you a sampling of what premium members receive on a weekly basis.