Massachusetts: Best Winter Recipe Is The Ultimate Comfort Food
The transition to winter on the East Coast can be a huge change. From warmer clothes, to earlier sundowns, you often seek comfort in the winter months. Taste of Home recognized this at the end of last year, publishing the best winter recipe in each state. In Massachusetts, our favorite winter recipe is definitely a comfort food.
Scrolling through the winter dish of choice in all 50 states, the one common theme is that each item selected is a warm food. In fact, many of them are unique twists on stove-top favorites or classics that are baked in a pan. Whether you are in the warmer climate or up north in the frigid cold, the winter season is synonymous with the holiday season. That means more home cooking.
In addition, the Super Bowl is always in the winter, as is New Year’s Eve. These are two of the most anticipated get-together days of the year. It is hard not to find a table full of hot food at either occasion.
Considering where you are in the country and what your local cuisine seems to favor, it is interesting to see how the recipes of choice differ depending upon which region you live in. For Massachusetts, the best winter recipe is one that can be made in your kitchen or served fresh in a hot skillet at your local pub.
Mac and Cheese
Specifically, Taste of Home calls out bringing a crockpot of mac and cheese to your winter potluck. Sure, your kids may always prefer the box of mac that uses the purified granular cheese mix. However, if you find the right homemade recipe using elbow macaroni and shredded cheddar, they may change their minds. The key is mixing the proper levels of each ingredient and constantly stirring it over the open flame. From there, you can add your buffalo chicken or seasoned breadcrumbs to bake on top.
If you are more in the mood to try someone else’s winter recipe for mac and cheese, there are several restaurants in Massachusetts dedicated to this meal. Mac-N-Choose (multiple locations) is where you will find “mozzarella stick mac and cheese” or a “mac and cheese sandwich.” The Mac Bar in Boston has some fancy takes. For example, the mac and cheese topped with hoisin glazed grilled chicken, scallions, and a sunny-side-up egg.
These Massachusetts Chains Actually Have Great Bagels
#4 Gunther Tooties
There are five Gunther Tooties locations from Foxborough down to the South Shore. The owner of this chain worked in a New York bagel shop before taking over the first location in Pembroke. Moreover, a few of their spots offer drive-through. The “French Toast” bagel listed under the New York Style portion of the menu is always hard to resist.
#3 The Bagel Dudes
Sometimes known as “The Bagel Shop” (like their Chatham location), this is a family operated chain business that has a significant presence in eastern Massachusetts and in Florida. Everything is baked fresh onsite. If you’ve ever wondered what Chocolate Chip Cookie flavored Iced Coffee takes like, they have 22 different variations here. And it tastes as good as it sounds.
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#2 Cafe Fresh Bagel
There are five Cafe Fresh Bagel restaurants all within about 30 minutes of each other. This is my bagel breakfast sandwich spot. I keep it simple when I go there, with a classic: bacon, egg, and cheese on an everything bagel.
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