I would have to say the most comforting food for me would be fresh homemade bread right out the oven. Can't you just smell it. Umm Umm good!
That along with homemade chicken noodle soup.
It just doesn't get any better.


This is a cheesy Italian Bread.

1 pkg of yeast
1 1/4 cup lukewarm water
2 tbsp sugar
dash of salt
garlic salt ( a good sprinkle, i am not much for measuring>
1/2 cup of romano cheese. ( i will also use grated hard cheese of any kind if that's all i have in the fridge.)
3 cups of flour
cornmeal.

in a large mixing bowl, dissolve the yeast in water, add the sugar, salt, garlic salt, cheese and 2 cups of flour. beat until smooth, stir in remaining flour to form a soft dough.
I use my my stand mixer and let it do all the kneading. adding flour if it sticks to the bowl. ( 6-8 mins)
place in a greased bowl, let rise in warm place until doubled. covered with saran or tea towel. About 1 hr.
punch down. On a floured board, divide in half, shape into roughly 14" loaves
Place on baking sheet that has been sprinkled with the cornmeal,( i like using the parchment paper)
I will sprinkle the top of the loaves with cornmeal as well.
let rise. ( I find the best place to let things rise, is in the oven. Turn on the oven for a bit just to warm, shut off, and leave the oven light on. This provides a nice environment for the bread to rise without change in temperature.
I return the loaves to the oven to rise, until double. With the loaves i don't bother covering,

Brush the loaves with water, make slashes (3) about 1/2 deep with a very sharp knife.

bake 400'F 20-25 mins
Add a pan of water while baking. This added moisture helps to form a thin golden crust.
Remove to wire rack.


Enjoy With or without butter

To me a house filled with the smell of baking bread is like love filling every space in the house.