Here in Wisconsin, we've had a terrible winter with tons of snow and temperatures in the teens. Like many people, DW and I find some solace in favorite comfort foods like homemade soups or stews, baked chicken, meat loaf or country-style ribs with sauerkraut.
Nothing warms body and soul like fat, fork-tender pork ribs smothered in sauerkraut with onions, apples, capers and caraway. (A big blob of horseradish mustard on the side also adds warmth!)
Speaking of warmth, DW and I always take a moment to warm the plates, coffee cups and even the flatware before mealtime. The kitchen cupboards where they're kept is on an outside wall, and even though our home is well-insulated, the plates and flatware come out of the cupboard cold.
After simmering those ribs and sauerkraut all afternoon, it seems a shame to serve them on cold plates. So we pop the plates in the oven on the "warm" setting first. (If dinner was prepared in the oven, the plates go in for a minute after dinner comes out.)
Comfort foods are even more comforting served on warm plates. (The food stays hot longer, too.) DW and I enjoy that as we gaze out the dining room window at all the snow.