When it’s cold and blustery out of doors, it’s the perfect time to get busy in the kitchen.
Your kids and grandkids will appreciate your time there when the dinner table presents some of these steaming-hot comfort food favorites.
Slow Cooker Roast Chicken: Instead of the usual pot roast, why not slow-cook a roaster chicken. Just pop it in the slow-cooker with some onion, celery and lemons and set the dial on low. When the family gets home for supper the chicken will be fall-off-the-bone ready to serve.
Old Fashioned Potato Soup: This thick, creamy soup is the epitome of comfort foods. The simple ingredients include dillweed and parsley for flavor and ¼ cup potato flakes for texture. Garnish each bowl with some grated cheese for color.
The Belly Buster: This traditional recipe went from Grandma to Mother to Daughter and is still making kids happy. Begin with lean hamburger and elbow macaroni. Add onion and whole canned tomatoes. If you prefer a vegetarian recipe; substitute veggies for the meat. Top with cheese and bake. It’s a crowd-pleaser and so easy.
Chicken or Turkey Pot Pies: This savory dish includes either chicken or turkey plus onions, carrots, potatoes, celery and frozen peas. The recipe is made with generous proportions to allow you to bake two of them and freeze one for later. Fresh parsley adds flavor and the top and bottom pastry crusts add richness.
Sweet Potato and Apple Soup with Walnuts and Cheese: This wintery favorite is both healthy and colorful. Serve the soup with crunchy walnuts, blue cheese and crackers and slices of apple.
Ham and Cheese Biscuits: This recipe includes finely chopped country ham and swiss cheese. Then add sour cream and either milk or buttermilk for tender flaky biscuits to go along with a winter evening supper.
Bart’s Black Bean Chili: Cold winter days make us long for a steaming bowl of something hot. This one will warm you up. Made with black beans, salsa, whole kernel corn and lime juice, this tasty chili hits the spot. Garnish with lime wedges and grated cheese or sour cream.
Chipped Chocolate and Hazelnut Cheesecake: Chocoholics, take note. This one is rich and satisfying. Made with semi-sweet chocolate chips, toasted hazelnuts, vanilla wafer crumbs and hazelnut liqueur, just a small slice will do.
Fried Apple Pies: A straightforward recipe featuring pastry and apple mixture. Cook the apple mixture on the stovetop and roll out rounds of dough. Fry pies in a small amount of oil and drain. Good served with caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream.
