Comfort Food, but Smoke It

Chef John shares his favorite comfort food recipes for the chilliest time of year.

During the coldest part of the year, I always think back to meals gone by – those soul-touching, heartwarming, breaking-through-the-cold memorable mouthfuls of my childhood. You remember the ones I’m talking about - as soon as you walked in the house you could smell it cooking and immediately your mouth started to water. These are some of the foods that make my heart sing, and those are the meals that are even better smoked on a recteq.

Thai Coconut Soup

Speaking of cold weather cooks, one of the favorite soups at my house is Thai Coconut Soup. This Thai version of chicken soup totally hits the spot on a super cold day. When cooked in the Matador on the Bullseye, you get a kiss of smoke added to an already bold and tasty soup. This soup brings flavors of chicken, coconut milk, lime, and a kick of heat: it’s perfect for any soup lover.

Loaded Meatloaf

If you’ve written meatloaf off in the past, let me set you straight! Meatloaf is great anytime of the year but so much better tasting when it’s cold outside! Truly, there is no better meatloaf that recteq’s Loaded Meatloaf. The mushrooms and cheese filling mixed with the rich cuts of lamb, beef, and recteq’s signature seasonings make for an unforgettable meal hot off the recteq.

Skillet Chocolate Chip Cookies

One of our simplest and most tasty sweets coming off the recteq is our Skillet Chocolate Chip Cookies. A perfect cold weather treat and an easy way to satisfy your cookie cravings. Making cookies from scratch couldn’t be easier with this fool-proof recipe. Simply combine the 10 ingredients, form into a cookie shape, and place in a cast iron skillet. With crispy edges and a soft, gooey center, these Skillet Chocolate Chip Cookies baked on the recteq bring a delicious twist on a classic cookie.

When the temperature drops, there’s nothing better than firing up the recteq and letting comfort food do what it does best—bring people together. From smoky, soul-warming soups to hearty classics and a sweet finish, these recipes are made to chase away the cold. So grab your favorite hoodie, fill up the hopper, and let these cold-weather cooks turn into delicious, unforgettable meals.