Always during the holidays, there are those nights when a casual drink turns into an all-nighter with alcohol flowing freely (social message: don't drive when you've been drinking). The next day's wake-up is always accompanied by painkillers for the headache, vitamins, electrolytes, and statements like "I'm never drinking again," with shuffling from the couch to the armchair and back to bed. What you really need is comfort food that will help you recover, giving you love, warmth, carbohydrates, and fats. The following can also be served at the holiday table. You just need to find someone willing to cook!

Velouté Pumpkin Soup

Soups are the number one remedy for a hangover, and pumpkin soup is no exception. Here is an easy yet delicious recipe, for which you will need a pot and a hand blender.

Ingredients: 

• 1 kg pumpkin
• 1 potato
• 1 onion
• 1 leek
• 1 liter water
• 1 vegetable or meat cube
• 1 teaspoon curry
• A little grated ginger
• Bacon 
• Cream cheese
• Croutons
• Olive oil
• Salt & pepper

Instructions:

• Cut all the vegetables into pieces and sauté them with olive oil in the pot until they start to soften
• Add water and then our spices and the cube of our choice
• Let them boil until they are completely softened
• Remove the pot from the heat and puree the vegetables with an immersion blender in the pot (if we don't have one, put them little by little in a blender)
• Serve on plates, placing a spoonful of cream cheese in the middle, pieces of crispy bacon, and croutons (or accompany with toasted bread - and a little butter)

Potato Gratin

Potatoes and cream, bacon, and cheeses compose the ultimate comfort food that will chase away headaches, weakness, sorrows, and whatever else is happening to you, and will cover you with warm layers of happiness.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 kg potatoes
• 300ml heavy cream
• 300ml milk
• 3 large onions
• 250g bacon
• Salt & pepper (optional paprika)
• 200g grated gruyere (or any cheese you prefer)
• Butter for the baking dish

Instructions:

• Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius
• Cut the potatoes and onions into very thin uniform slices (as thin as your hangover allows)
• Butter a large baking dish well
• Layer the sliced potatoes in a circular pattern, overlapping each other, and place onions in between
• Season each layer with salt and pepper
• In a bowl, mix the heavy cream, milk, and salt and pepper
• Pour the mixture over the potatoes in the dish and sprinkle with grated cheese and bacon
• Bake for 1 hour and 45 minutes, until the potatoes are tender and the top is golden brown

Shepherd's Pie

Although a shepherd is certainly the last person you want to see when you have a hangover, this particular pie is worth trying when the excesses of the previous night are tormenting you. It is not difficult to make and can serve as an appetizer at the Christmas and New Year's table.

Ingredients:

• 1kg ground beef
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 2 finely chopped onions
• 3 finely chopped celery stalks
• 3 finely chopped carrots
• 1 cup fresh milk
• 1 cup white wine
• 400g tomatoes
• A little sugar
• Salt & pepper
• 3 tablespoons breadcrumbs
• 200g grated parmesan
• One package of ready-made mashed potatoes (prepared according to the instructions)

Instructions:

• In a large pot, heat the olive oil and sauté the onion, carrot, and celery for 6-7 minutes until softened
• Add the ground beef and continue sautéing for the same amount of time until it changes color
• Deglaze with the wine, allowing the alcohol to evaporate for 1-2 minutes, then add the tomatoes with a little sugar to remove the acidity
• Mix well and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes so the ingredients can combine
• Finally, add the milk to give it a creamy texture and extra flavor
• Cover and simmer on medium heat for 35-40 minutes
• Grease a baking dish or tart pan and sprinkle with breadcrumbs
• Pour in the ground beef mixture and spread the prepared mashed potatoes on top
• Bake at 200°C with top and bottom heat for 15 minutes
• Lower the temperature to 180°C and continue baking for 40 minutes until the surface is lightly browned
• Enjoy with toasted bread