Comfort Food…Yummmm…On a Cold Day, I can see…No let’s not go there.

My wife is the best, she can throw things together with her eyes closed and it turns out fantastic. We usually call it comfort food. This is the food that we all grew up with and can't seem to get out of our systems. It is a mood, a thought, it is something we can't describe, but it gnaws at us, calling to our stomachs, come out, come out wherever you are. It is all of the best and the worst of our childhood memories when Mom was our comforter, who we could turn to her and she would always put a warm something in front of you and you would eat and eat and eat. Does that ring a bell? Now I know why I look the way I do. Food has always been my comfort, why is that, I guess it's because it make me feel good until the next morning when I step on that darn scale. I picture myself sitting in front of the fireplace with a hot cup/usually bowl of something that make me feel like life is worth living. I am with my Honey and we are together. I would like to take a poll and see what makes you think of when I say comfort food. I know that we all have one or two or thousand and two. Something that reminds us of our youth, what puts a smile on our faces? Something we long for and shouldn't have. Well, I think I have said enough, now it is your time. Well, if there are no takers. I have several which are anything, in the creamy soup family, and anything in the Pasta family. We used to gorge on Hamburger helper stroganoff about 4 boxes at a time…OMG, did I just say that. Meats are usually from the hoof, I am so sick of the stuff that comes back to haunt you like Chicken, which is a necessary evil these days. Fish has to be Halibut and vegetables, well that is my wife's realm She could be very happy, just opening a can of vegetables and munch away as I gag away. As you can tell I am not much of a vegetable eater. Do you blame me? Desserts are everything and more. I am a baker at heart. I love to bake, I don't know, it is just satisfying. My newest success is Biscotti, have you made any yet. It is very easy and it stores well and everyone loves it. I am going to do that for Christmas gifts this year. I can't afford anything else if you know what I mean. Last night my wife made this fantastic Chicken (well) even though it is Chicken it can be good. Well, anyway, we have it with of all things Potato Salad, my wife makes the best, it is my Mom's recipe and we have given it out to our kids, and they will pass it down. There is a secret ingredient that no one can guess, but it is what makes it. We had it with one of my youths favorite Van Camp Beans now before you gag it is "My Favorite" so I have a license here.. We did throw in Ruffles with Ridges. Are you full yet? Well, here is the Chicken Recipe:

Ana's Baked/Fried Chicken

It sounds a little different, but your taste buds will pop and you will end up wanting more and more… Trust me.

1 Tbls Butter or Margarine
2/3 Cup Original Bisquick ® mix
1 ½ tsp Paprika
1 ¼ tsp Salt
¼ tsp Pepper
1 Cut-up whole Chicken (3 to 3 ½ lbs.)

Heat the oven to 425 F. Melt butter in rectangular baking dish, 13/9/2 inches, in oven. Stir together Bisquick, paprika, salt and pepper; coat chicken place skin sides down in dish (dish and butter should be hot). Bake 35 minutes; turn chicken. Bake about 15 minutes longer or until juice is not longer pink when centers of thickest pieces are cut.

My mouths is already starting to water already. See how easy it is.

Quick Macaroni and Cheese

2 quarts water
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni (can use regular or rice pasta)
2 Tbsp unsalted butter
1/2 lb cheddar cheese, grated (about 2 cups, packed)
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup ham, chopped into 1/4 inch cubes
Freshly grated black pepper

1 Bring 2 quarts of water with the teaspoon of salt to a boil in thick-bottomed saucepan. Add the elbow macaroni and follow the cooking time instructions on the package, minus about 2 minutes. (If your macaroni doesn't come with instructions, start checking at 7 minutes). Cook until al dente – cooked through, but still slightly firm. Drain the water from the cooking pan (if you use a colander, return the macaroni to the pan). Lower the heat to low/warm. 2 Add the butter. Stir in to coat the macaroni. When the butter is about half melted, you can stir in the cheese. Add the milk. Stir in until all the butter and cheese is melted and blended well with the milk. Add the chopped ham and a few twists of freshly grated black pepper.

Serve immediately. Serves 3-4 adults or 4-6 kids.

1950's-style Meatloaf Recipe




This meatloaf version became a family favorite in many households in the 1950's. The key is in the onion soup mix and the mixture of ground beef with pork sausage for added flavor and moisture.


1-1/2 pounds ground beef (chuck is best)
1/2 pound ground pork sausage (seasoned or not)
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup fine bread crumbs
1 large clove of garlic, pressed
1/2 cup minced sweet onion
1/4 cup minced green bell pepper
1 tsp dried oregano, crushed
1 teaspoon kosher salt
Freshly ground pepper to taste
1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 package dry Lipton's Onion Soup mix
1/2 cup milk
1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste, divided use
2 to 4 strips bacon, cut in half (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Combine ground beef, pork sausage, eggs, bread crumbs, garlic, sweet onion, bell pepper, oregano, kosher salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce, onion soup mix, milk, and half of the tomato paste. Gently mix only until combined. Do not overwork the meat or it will become tough. Form into a loaf. Cover with the remaining half can of tomato paste. Weave the bacon strips over the top.

Bake 1 hour. Let meatloaf rest 15 minutes before cutting to serve.

Yield: 6 servings

My Favorite, All-Time, "Mystery" Tomato Soup

Let's see, This is a no brainer, I love tomato soup. I looked up a number of recipes and they were fantastic, but nothing that I would call comfort food, not the way I like it. Well here is my own recipe of tomato soup. Are you ready?

1 Can Campbell's tomato soup and equal amount of milk, put both into a pot, heat until very hot. Pour into a bowl, large cup or whatever floats your boat, then take a handful of regular crackers and crunch them up into the palm of your hand and throw, ever so gently, into the soup, take your soup, large spoon, your "blankie" and wearing your PJ's, and sit down on the couch, with a ton of soft pillows, in front of your favorite tear jerker movie, or the fire place and enjoy. Well, that about does it for me. What do you think? I feel comfortable already. Well, I hope you enjoyed this little bit of heaven when it comes to comfort food. I enjoy sharing this with you. I know that we all have comfort food that we like and swear by. I just think it is fun sharing with you! See you next time with my Halloween/Fall favorites ooooohhhh, awwwwwwwe, ecccccck, about.