30 Comfort Foods All East Coasters Know

Contest-Winning New England Clam Chowder

This is the best clam chowder recipe, ever! In the Pacific Northwest, we dig our own razor clams and I grind them for the chowder. Since these aren’t readily available, the canned clams are perfectly acceptable. —Sandy Larson, Port Angeles, Washington

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Lobster Rolls

To be truly authentic, melt a tablespoon of butter in a skillet and toast the outsides of the buns before filling with the cool lobster. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Cape Cod Blueberry Pie

We Northeasterners have been baking this pie since the 18th century. Settlers would’ve used little wild blueberries and topped it with cream. I do, too. —Nancy O'Connell, Biddeford, Maine

Coffee Milk

It's the official state drink of Rhode Island, and once you taste it, you'll understand why it has so many fans! —Karen Barros, Bristol, Rhode Island

Philly Cheesesteak

This ultimate Philly cheesesteak recipe is a best-seller at Pat's King of Steaks Restaurant. Patrons praise its thinly cut beef and crusty Italian rolls. —Frank Olivieri, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Seasoned Crab Cakes

At the National Hard Crab Derby in Crisfield, Maryland, these scrumptious crab cakes won me first place. I entered them on a whim after trying many crab cake recipes for my family. —Betsy Hedeman, Timonium, Maryland

Whoopie Pies

My kids start begging me for these cakelike sandwich cookies as soon as autumn arrives. I haven't met a person yet who doesn't like these fun treats. —Deb Stuber, Carlisle, Pennsylvania

Blue Plate Open-Faced Turkey Sandwich

Turkey with gravy makes divine comfort food that reminds me of old-time diners on the East Coast that serve open faced turkey sandwiches just like this one. Happily, my gravy is not from a can. —Chris Schwester, Divide, Colorado

Homemade Bagels

I always wanted to make my own bagels, so I searched to find a bagel recipe I could try. For variation and flavor, I sometimes add cinnamon and raisins or honey and sesame seeds to the dough.

Boston Cream Cupcakes

Boston cream cupcakes have been my favorite bakery treat since I was a child, so I put together this easy-to-make version. —Jeanne Holt, Mendota Heights, Minnesota

Oysters Rockefeller

My husband and I are oyster farmers, and this classic Oysters Rockefeller dish always delights our guests. It's deliciously simple! —Beth Walton, Eastham, Massachusetts

Rhode Island Hot Wieners

Many Rhode Islanders spell "wiener" with an ei and serve theirs all the way with meat sauce, mustard, onion and a sprinkle of celery salt. —Karen Barros, Bristol, Rhode Island

New England Bean & Bog Cassoulet

When I moved to New England, I embraced the local cuisine. My cassoulet with baked beans pays tribute to a French classic and to New England in one hearty, heartwarming dish. —Devon Delaney, Westport, Connecticut

Joe Froggers

Large, soft and chewy, these cookies are made to munch. This classic recipe has a warm blend of spices that seems stronger the second day. Your family will definitely ask you to make them again!, soft and chewy, these are a great snack. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Pastrami Grinder

My husband is a firefighter, so I make easy meals I can deliver to him. He likes pastrami, but ham or roast beef also work for hoagies. —Deanna Eads, Kingman, AZ

A Bit Nutty Boston Brown Bread

Hearty and dense, my homemade Boston Brown Bread features hazelnuts for a delightfully nutty taste. Thick slices pair well with just about anything, from soup and stews to pasta and meat entrees. —Lorraine Caland, Shuniah, Ontario

Pennsylvania Pot Roast

This heartwarming one-dish meal is adapted from a Pennsylvania Dutch recipe. I start the pot roast cooking before I leave for church, add vegetables when I get home, and then just sit back and relax until it's done. —Donna Wilkinson, Monrovia, Maryland

Crustless New York Cheesecake

This rich cheesecake is incredibly creamy. Even though the cake doesn't have a crust, I guarantee everyone will love it. —George Parsell, Flushing, New York

Cape Cod Corn Pudding

A family member passed along this recipe for corn baked with cheddar and ricotta. Don’t skip the fresh basil—it adds a hint of sweet flavor reminiscent of mint and anise. —Melinda Messer, Benson, North Carolina

East Coast Shrimp and Lentil Bowls

If you have frozen shrimp, a few seasoning ingredients, bagged spinach and lentils on hand, you can make this dish in no time. It's so delicious—nobody needs to know that it's healthy too! —Mary Kay LaBrie, Clermont, Florida

Pennsylvania Dutch Funny Cake

I can still remember my grandma serving this delicious cake on the big wooden table in her farm kitchen. Every time I bake this unusual cake, it takes me back to those special days at Grandma's. —Diane Ganssle, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Hearty Manhattan Clam Chowder

This veggie-packed clam chowder is savory and satisfying. Butter up some crusty bread and you'll have yourself a complete meal. —Carol Bullick, Royersford, Pennsylvania

New England Lamb Bake

This dish is hearty and perfect for warming up on a chilly winter evening. The aroma is almost as delightful as the dish itself. —Frank Grady, Fort Kent, Maine

Hero Sandwich

This is not your ordinary sandwich! Everyone loves the combination of chutney and chopped peanuts. I like to make this when I have company in the afternoon or at night after a game of cards. —Agnes Ward, Stratford, Ontario

New England Indian Pudding

This recipe was inspired by traditional New England Indian pudding. My version is made in the slow cooker instead of being baked for hours in the oven. If the molasses flavor is too strong, cut the amount to 1/3 cup. —Susan Bickta, Kutztown, Pennsylvania

Boston Baked Beans

These slow-cooked beans have a little more zip than usual Boston baked beans, and the rum helps lighten the flavor. —Anne Sheehy, Lawrence, Massachusetts

Flavorful Matzo Ball Soup

A variety of winter vegetables gives the broth for this classic Jewish soup a deep flavor. You can use a few green onions instead of the leek. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Pennsylvania Dutch Potato Doughnuts

My relatives have been making these tasty doughnuts for years. The potatoes keep them moist, and the glaze provides just the right amount of sweetness. —Marlene Reichart, Leesport, Pennsylvania

Pastrami on Rye

This peerless pastrami sandwich was adapted from a menu favorite at Primanti Bros. Restaurant in Pittsburgh. We took the basic ingredients—grilled cold cuts, cheese, fried potatoes and tomatoes—and created a tasty replica that includes our version of their secret coleslaw topping. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Grandma's Seafood Chowder

My grandmother makes this every year for Christmas morning—the only time we ever had it. Why wait, when you can enjoy this satisfying chowder anytime? It's also delicious topped with biscuits! —Melissa Obernesser, Utica, New York