Dutch version of comfort food

We stayed in the city this weekend as Jos has a couple of kidney stones and we want to be home in case he has too many problems. It is cool and was pouring rain this afternoon here so comfort food is in order. In Holland, one of the winter favorites is "stamppot". This is made in various ways but I had promised Judy, a blogging friend, I would show how I make it with kale.

Peel potatoes and place in a large pan (I use a Dutch oven for those back in the US). Fill the pan half full with cut up potatoes (approximately 11 to 13 potatoes) and sprinkle with salt.

Top off the pan with chopped kale. Be sure you really fill the pan to overflowing as the kale is going to reduce as it steams. I always freeze my chopped kale which gives it a better taste and it can be placed direct from the freezer into the pan.

Place enough water in the pan to just cover the potatoes.

Cover and boil until the potatoes are soft. Your kale will steam on top of the potatoes.

In the meantime, I cooked a Dutch smoked sausage. This is in a vacuum package and is simply cooked in hot but not boiling water. You can use any sausage you like to go along with your "stamppot". Some people add chopped bacon to their "stamppot" too.

My own secret ingredient is adding herb cream cheese instead of butter as I mash the potatoes. Add a little milk as needed but the potatoes should be more sturdy than regular creamy mashed potatoes would be. This is done with an old fashioned hand masher. The dutch word for mashing potatoes in "stampen" which is where the word for this dish derives from.

I also made onion gravy but you can eat this without gravy also. Add salt and pepper to taste. This is a dish that warms you inside on a cold day.

I have a number of comfort foods that I enjoy making from time to time. This year, I am going to share some of my favorites throughout the winter season. Do you have a favorite comfort food?

Comfort? Did I say comfort? Jos loves goat's feet. No I do not mean literally a goat's foot but this cookie you see below. They are called "bokkenpootjes" which means goat's feet. I even found a recipe for these here online. My quilting friend Joke (pronounced Yo-ka) and her husband Gerard stopped by this week and brought giant "bokkenpootjes" for him as a surprise. I placed them beside a slice of bread to show you how large they were. They were absolutely delicious and we thank Joke and Gerard very much for their thoughtfulness!

Hope you are all having a great weekend!