2020, the year of mask wearing and social distancing, also the year that brought comfort food back into the homes of millions of Americans. No matter the gender, age, race, or location, comfort foods have perhaps just made the biggest comeback of all time. In fact, a new national survey of 2,000 Americans found that since the beginning of the pandemic, 2 in 3 are eating more comfort foods as a source of relief, contentment, and reassurance.

  • 69% say they’ll continue to enjoy the same amount of comfort food that they are now, post-pandemic.
  • 41% reach for comfort food to bring happiness.
  • 85% have gained a few pounds staying at home: an extra six pounds on average.
  • 90% say their online and social searches for food inspiration have increased during the pandemic.

In times of uncertainty and nervous tension, it’s not a big surprise that people are seeking solace in food. Spending more time in the kitchen experimenting with recipes and reviving old family favorites brings a feeling a normalcy and joy back to the table. So it wasn’t a shock to us when reviewing your favorite recipes of 2020, equally ranging from scrumptious breakfast treats, to hometown classic suppers and delectable desserts. And no need to worry about adding any more of those extra pounds in 2021, as all North Coast recipes are made healthier with apple sauce, apple juice, or apple cider vinegar! Are you ready? Here we go!

Corned Beef Hash

No, it doesn’t need to be St. Patty’s Day or breakfast to enjoy our North Coast corned beef hash (start with our recipe for slow cooker corned beef here). Immersed with deep flavor and browned to perfection, this dish has comfort written all over it!

Macaroni & Cheese

The term “comfort food” came about for a reason, and mac and cheese recipes remain at the top for all-time American classics. Add sweet North Coast apple cider and fresh apple to the mix and you’ve created the perfect sweet and savory dish to bring the comfort home!

Apple Sauce Scones

Flaky scones are usually all about butter, but not these. Adding North Coast apple sauce not only cuts down on the fat, but also adds a pure and delicious apple flavor. And don’t be intimidated, fresh homemade scones are so easy to make any day of the week! It’s no wonder these have been on the favorite list for so many consecutive years!

Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Made extra special with our North Coast apple cider reduction, these cookies are so full of flavor and will melt in your mouth with bursting chunks of decadent dark chocolate. Enough said.

Cincinnati Chili

Get ready for some good old-fashioned comfort food with this spin on the American favorite, Cincinnati Chili. You can play around with the ingredients to make it suit your fancy, especially with the toppings. Some popular accompaniments in Ohio include onions, tomatoes, pinto beans, grated cheese, and oyster crackers. In California, we like avocado, grated extra sharp white cheddar, and cilantro.

Apple Cinnamon Bagels

2020 brought millions of sourdough starters and bagel recipes to kitchens nationwide. And for good reason. Most people don’t know this, but making homemade bagels is one of the easiest things to do in the kitchen. It may take a few hours from start to finish but most of this time is just allowing the dough to rest and rise. So, while this is being done, feel free to go and do the same. Warm and chewy yumminess awaits.

Potato Latkes

Just like pork chops, every latke needs a good side of apple sauce to bring it up to par. The sweet, fresh and pure taste of North Coast apple sauce with the savory crisp potato goodness of the latkes, well, let’s just call it a win-win.

Caramel Apple Popcorn

Popcorn is not only for the movies. This delicious Caramel Apple Popcorn can be enjoyed at any time of the day, and made with raw honey and North Coast apple juice instead of corn syrup so you won’t have to worry about the added sugars and calories!

Cheers to all the comfort foods in the world and a much better year to come! Stay healthy friends.

Where to purchase North Coast Organic apple products

If you’d like to find out where to purchase North Coast Organic products, we invite you to check out where they are sold at markets and grocery stores near you.

North Coast Organic apple products are made in Sebastopol, CA from U.S. grown certified organic apples. They contain no added sugars, preservatives, colorings or flavorings. If you have anymore questions, please Contact Us.