It’s been pretty gloomy this past week in my neck of the woods. One day it’s warm and the next cold but, consistently rainy and dreary. When the weather is like this there is only one thing I want – comfort food. With so many types of comfort food recipes, there’s always something that’ll turn my mood around.
Perfectly thick and creamy with a touch of heat, Michelle Pitts’ (Bakersfield, CA) Texmex Chicken and Corn Chowder is a hearty and comforting meal. It cooks for less than 30 minutes and is perfect if you’re looking to get a filling dinner on the table quickly that your family will love.
Since Georgia Gall (Marietta, GA) only cooks for her and her husband she cut Michelle’s recipe in half but learned quickly that was a mistake. “This soup was awesome,” shared Georgia. “My husband ate the whole batch, he loved it. Needless to say, I had to make the other half the next night.” I think your family will love this too.
Want to watch your diners leave their plates clean, then serve Rebecca Hallstrom’s (Oklahoma City, OK) 8-Cheese Baked Macaroni. It’s seriously delicious.
“When we were growing up, mama used to make the best homemade mac and cheese I ever ate,” reminisces Rebecca. “I don’t have her recipe so I made up my own. I take it to all the family dinners and receive rave reviews, but that’s just because they never ate mama’s!”
Maybe this isn’t mama’s, but Rebecca has created one yummy recipe. Velveeta and cream cheese are combined to create a super creamy mixture that sets this apart from other recipes. Layering with cheddar and other cheeses makes this cheesy perfection. There are layers of goodness in every bite.
Nothing says comfort food more than a grilled cheese. As a child, my mom would serve me one with tomato soup after an afternoon of sledding. To this day, the memory still puts a smile on my face. When I tried KatheyJo Hickey-Van Otten’s (Salt Lake City, UT) Grilled Cheese Supreme I got that familiar big smile. It’s a great twist on the classic sandwich.
“Just a little upgraded grilled cheese sandwich which I really enjoy,” says KatheyJo of her recipe. She uses Jewish rye bread (rather than traditional white bread) which amps up the flavor. Pepper jack and banana peppers add a little bite. The crunch of the bacon sends this sandwich over the top!
“Cowboy casseroles have a long history and many varieties,” explains Lisa Foote (Castle Pines, CO). “I added a little spice to ours since we like our food with a little kick.” Lisa’s Colorado Cowboy Casserole is a great family meal with just enough flavor to not be a boring tater tot casserole.
The meat layer is creamy and the Southwestern flavor isn’t too strong – just perfect. The cheese and the tater tots tie it all together nicely. It’s quick, easy and really good for a family watching a budget. Even a picky eater will love this.
Meatloaf is a favorite in my family. Served with some mashed potatoes it’s a delicious dinner and the leftovers make an amazing sandwich. A fabulous meatloaf recipe is Phyllis Brescia’s (The Villages, FL) Meatloaf with a Tomato Beef Sauce. Honorary Kitchen Crew member Jackie Mento (The Villages, FL) tried this and thought it was fantastic.
“This recipe makes a large meatloaf that is so tender, juicy and moist with a deep, hearty flavor,” says Jackie. “You might think of it as just meatloaf, but this one has a great intense beefiness with that special sauce that will separate it from the pack. [It’s] Perfect for a family get together or for those chilly nights when you need that perfect comfort food dish to satisfy your cravings!”
I’d say the true definition of comfort food is anything that puts a smile on your face and just thinking of these recipes definitely puts a smile on mine. What’s your favorite comfort food recipe? Make sure to share it… Happy Pinching!