Chefs' Favorite Hangover Cures

New Year's Eve is celebrated universally around the world each year, so it's no wonder that everyone has their own version of a next-day "cure" meant to alleviate the post-party doldrums.

But who knows best? Chefs, with their rock-star status and their reputation for a "work hard, play hard" approach to life, combined with their cooking expertise, would seem to have the answer. After all, if you don't want to sleep it off, then you'll need to soak all that alcohol up with some grub. And then perhaps soak up all that grub with more alcohol.

Jimmy Bradley, chef-owner of The Red Cat and The Harrison, located in New York City, says his personal remedy is "scotch and Marlboros with a cheeseburger in there somewhere," but if cigarettes aren't your thing, then his Baked Fontina with Garlic probably works pretty well, too. Meanwhile, Richard Garcia, executive chef at 606 Congress restaurant, located in the Renaissance Boston Waterfront Hotel, says, "Anything that has a full meal in a glass (pork, vegetable, and more booze) will get you ready for the rest of the day!" Such was the inspiration behind his kick-in-a-glass Bacon, Vodka, and Tomato (BVT) cocktail. Last, but not least, chef Scott Kroener of Del Frisco's Grille in the heart of Rockefeller Plaza, writes, "The day after New Year's Eve, I am drinking anything but champagne. Plus, having hair of the dog always helps to cure a hangover." His remedy? A classic sausage, egg, and cheese on a croissant, washed down with Bass ale.

 

Mirao 

Cesare Casella, chef and owner of Salumeria Rosi Parmacotto in New York City, reports his go-to hangover cure is his Tuscan twist on chicken soup, called Mirao...

 

 

 

 

Chicken Paprikash 

Here's a hearty and comforting Hungarian dish that's a great way to cure the winter blues (or a persistent hangover)...

 

 

 

 

 

Green Chilaquiles 

There's nothing quite like an impressive mound of freshly fried tortilla chips, carnitas, and scrambled eggs to beat even the toughest hangovers...

 

 

 

 

Goulash 

This is Austria's hangover cure for New Year's Day or any post-bacchanal day of recovery...

 

 

 

 

 

Bacon, Vodka, and Tomato Cocktail 

For a New Year's Eve hangover fix that drinks like a meal, chef Richard Garcia of Boston's 606 Congress recommends his BVT: Bacon, Vodka, and Tomato...

 

 

 

 

Baked Fontina with Garlic 

A wicked perfect hangover cure, especially with a bottle of wine...

 

 

 

 

 

Recovery Blues Cocktail ('The Cure') 

Gina Chersevani, mixologist at PS 7 Restaurant located in Washington, D.C.'s Penn Quarter, swears by the healing properties of Miller High Life in this cocktail...

 

 

 

 

'Saturday Night, Sunday Morning' Mac 'n' Cheese 

Chef Joel Christy of PL8 Kitchen & Side Bar in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., created this hearty mac 'n' cheese specifically for the morning-after brunch crowd...