Quick and Easy Microwave Single-Serve Apple Crisp

You've had your meal, and you simply want a little something extra that doesn't require a lot of effort or blow your calorie count for the day.  Well, you've probably got it in your kitchen right now, just waiting for you to throw it together!

And, my dear sweet-craving friend, here it is...your very own scrumptious quick and easy apple crisp!

                                        Quick and Easy, Nice and Cozy...

                                           And Ever So Scrumptious!

A Collection of Ten of My Best Comfort Food Recipes To Warm and Relax You

It's that time of year...cold, wet weather demanding comfort food recipes to warm and relax you.

To satisfy your comfort food cravings, I've collected ten of my best soothing recipes that will wrap you with warm hugs and delicious nostalgia...


Tender, Fall-Apart Herbed Chicken and Long-Grain White Rice Casserole with A Homemade Mushroom Sauce

Delightfully Seasoned Beef Taco Pie with Pepper Jack Cheese ~ My Happy Pie!

Packed with flavor, this family-pleasing dish is easy to make; but definitely not mundane!  I love the delightful and surprising bite of cinnamon along with the beef.  The pepper jack cheese and the chili powder offer just the right amount of heat, and the cheese adds just enough salt...no need for additional salt and pepper.

Though the pepper jack cheese does not offer over-powering heat to this delicious taco pie, you can substitute Cheddar cheese for those with more sensitive palates.  For a little additional flavor, I chose to use canned diced tomatoes with basil, garlic and oregano.  This scrumptious casserole makes a wonderful weeknight meal or take-along dish, and it freezes well.

A fun and comforting pie, it makes me so happy...I just can't seem to get enough of it!

                                              Family Night Fun...

                                            With My Happy Pie!

Tender, Fall-Apart Herbed Chicken and Long-Grain White Rice Casserole With A Homemade Mushroom Sauce

Your family will beat a path home for this tender, fall-apart chicken casserole!  Inspired by one of my favorite retro cookbooks, it's one of those dishes my family always loved...I need to visit those cookbooks more often.

Not only is this satisfying casserole perfect for weeknight meals, the uncomplicated homemade sauce qualifies it as an excellent dish for impressive, cozy entertaining.  In addition, you'll find it makes a wonderful take-along dish that's sure to please all.

If you have a heavy schedule (as most of us do), this flavorful casserole is ideal for preparing ahead and freezing.

                                               Welcome Home...

                                            Mama Loves You!

Marvelous Bolognese Sauce Made Simply In The Slow Cooker

With this cold and wet winter weather, you want a simple, yet hearty, comforting dish that will satisfy the whole family; or maybe you need a laid-back entree for a group or party.  Relax...you'll have plenty of time to cozy up to that crackling fireplace or enjoy your party with this Marvelous Bolognese Sauce Made Simply In the Slow Cooker!

I prefer the crunch of coarsely chopped carrots and celery in this gratifying sauce; however, you can mince them along with mincing the onion and garlic, if you like.  Also, I chose to make it with ground beef chuck and ground Italian-seasoned turkey sausage, rather than bulk Italian sausage.

Not only will you love this flavorful sauce over your favorite pasta, you'll find it's terrific over meatballs too!  For those times when family members are on different schedules, or for a buffet party, you can just keep it warm in the slow cooker!

                                         Dinner's In The Slow Cooker...

                                               Just Grab a Plate!

Comforting, Delectable and Easy Sirloin Steak Pizzaiola!

You crave beef and want a delicious, yet uncomplicated weeknight meal.  Well, just whip out your skillet...you're gonna love this comforting, delectable and incredibly easy sirloin steak pizzaiola!

It seems our lives today never slow down; if anything, they just seem to be picking up pace.  I know that I find myself using more easy recipes these days; and I'm sure you want them too.

Time's wasting, let's get to dinner....

                                        So Delicious and Comforting...

                                          And, Easy, Easy, Easy!

Crunchy Retro Turkey Casserole with Wild Grain Rice

It's comfort food weather, and you crave an easy and unpretentious hot dish...like this gratifying retro turkey casserole.  This is an ideal recipe to use up that leftover holiday turkey hanging around in your freezer.  With the water chestnuts inside and the crushed cracker topping, you'll find this casserole satisfies the desire for a little crunch.  And, yes, it's possible to enjoy a good recipe that includes a can of soothing, creamy soup (you know you have)!

Make this as your next take-along dish, and they'll be sure to ask you to bring it to future potlucks!

                          Be Sure To Give Me Lots of Crunchy Topping!

Comforting Beef Casserole with Homestyle Egg Noodles and Colby-Jack Cheese

With the hustle and bustle of all the holidays, coupled with the cold weather, you want an easy, hearty warm dish to prepare for dinner.   You're kinda over the turkey (at least for the moment) and ready for a little beef...

Between all the holiday fare, you and your family will love this uncomplicated and comforting, cheesy beef casserole made with homestyle egg noodles! 

                                             Nice To Come Home To...

                       And So Easy...Give It To The Teenagers To Prepare!                                         

Hearty Beef Pot Roast with Vegetables In The Slow Cooker

Put this hearty pot roast on early in the morning and come home to a nice hot meal.  You can do the prep work the night before, including searing the roast, if you like!  It's all very easy, but so satisfying! Make enough to have leftovers for sandwiches!

                                 When It's Cold and Ugly Outside...

                         This Will Keep Them Warm and Cozy Inside!

Serves 6

Ingredients

• 1 approx. 3 lb. boneless beef shoulder (pot) roast--allow about 1/2 lb. per person
• 2 TB all-purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp. seasoned salt
• 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
• 1/8 tsp. garlic powder
• 2 TB vegetable oil
• 4 cleaned stalks of celery, cut into about 3" pieces
• 4 cleaned and peeled carrots, halved or quartered to achieve about 1/2" thickness ea. piece
• 1 large yellow onion, peeled & sliced into about 1/2 slices*
• 3 approx. 1/2 lb./ea. Idaho baking potatoes, scrubbed and cut, unpeeled, into halves
• (table salt and freshly ground black pepper for sprinkling on the vegetables)

Directions

1. Preheat the slow cooker on low.  
2. Pat the roast dry with a paper towel on all sides.  Mix the flour, seasoned salt, pepper and garlic powder together with a fork or small whisk.  Sprinkle the mixture all over the roast and rub it in with the back of a spoon.  Heat the oil in a large skillet on medium-high heat.  Sear all sides of the roast about one minute each side, or until well browned.  
3. Place the potatoes on the bottom of the slow cooker and sprinkle lightly with the table salt and pepper.  Scatter about half of the other vegetables on top of the potatoes and lightly sprinkle with more table salt and the pepper.  Place the roast on top of these vegetables, pouring any drippings scraped from the skillet on top of the roast.  Put the remainder of the vegetables on top of the roast and sprinkle lightly with additional table salt and the pepper.  
4. For a tender roast, cook on low for 10 hours.  The internal temperature of the roast should register at least 160º for medium. (Optional:  If you're at home while the roast is cooking, flip it over after about four or five hours.)  

*Tip:   To avoid odor on your hands, rub them with lemon juice before peeling an onion.  To avoid or keep tears to a minimum, peel and slice an onion under cool, running water.

The vegetables and roast will create a flavorful gravy in the cooker.  Serve the roast and vegetables with the gravy and nice soft rolls or bread.  Chow down and enjoy!

                                        Find A Little Comfort...                     

                                            All In One Pot!
                               
Printable Recipe

So Simple, So Perfect, Crispy Roast Chicken

 (I've had this sitting in draft for a few days.  However, I had a slight interruption...my precious, new baby granddaughter was welcomed into the world on August 2nd!)

Craving some protein?  Make it on Sunday and have it for leftovers during the week...a salad, a sandwich or just more delicious roast chicken.  That wing or leg will haunt you for a late night snack!

Roast chicken just doesn't get any better or any easier than this!  After much experimenting over the years, I came to this simple method for a classic and delicious roast chicken.  No need to stuff or truss!  Roasters are not as dry as baking chickens; all they need is a little seasoning...not even any butter or oil!  Follow this recipe and I guarantee you a succulent roast chicken with a crispy exterior!
                               

The aroma of a chicken roasting in the oven just seems to say:

                              

                                              "Welcome Home!"

                                    Salivating?  Let's Cut Into It...

Serves 4 or more

Ingredients

• 1 plump roasting chicken (about 4 to 5 lbs.)
• garlic powder
• kosher salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• dried thyme leaves
• dried rosemary leaves

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375º.
2. Place a rack in a shallow roasting (or baking) pan which you've lined w/foil.*
3. Wash the chicken and remove any fat,* neck or giblets from the inside.
4. Pat the chicken dry and place it breast up on the rack in the pan.
5. Sprinkle the inside of the chicken with salt and pepper.
6. Sprinkle all the seasonings on the top of the chicken.
7. Place in the oven and roast uncovered about 30 minutes per lb. or until a drumstick moves easily at the joint and the juices run clear, or the chicken registers at least 180º when a thermometer is inserted.  (Check after about 1 to 1 1/2 hours and if already golden brown, loosely cover with a tent of foil to keep from over browning.)

*Tips 

• You can save any fat for schmaltz, see:  "The Schmaltz" under "Bon Bon's Chicken Soup with Matzo Balls".  
• Over the years, I've used so many different configurations of a roasting pan for this chicken.  Generally I use whatever is handy.  I've even used a toaster-oven rack in a baking pan.  You really don't need anything fancy...just a rack and a pan! (This note is especially for those who don't own a lot of equipment or are just starting out in the kitchen).  However, if you happen to have an impressive roasting pan and rack, enjoy it!
• My Not Just White Chicken Chili would be great for using leftover chicken breast from this roast!

Let the chicken rest a few minutes before slicing. (I prefer an electric knife to achieve attractive slices.) You'll feel like Mama just wrapped her arms around you while you enjoy this with your favorite sides!*

*Suggested Sides:

My Simple Side Salad with Avocado and Satisfying Spatzle Casserole with Swiss Cheese; Sweet Potato Casserole with Crunchy Nut Topping or Yellow Summer Squash Casserole.

Printable Recipe

A Tribute to Monet and Bonnie's Spaghetti Sauce Revisited

A very dear and sweet blogger friend who has been an inspiration to us all, Monet from Anecdotes and Apple Cores, recently suffered a loss of some very close family members to a tragic accident and she has understandably had a very difficult time.  I contributed my recipe for spaghetti sauce to a binder of comfort food recipes compiled by her blogger friends to help ease her pain.  You may remember Bonnie's Spaghetti Sauce which I originally published last November.  If you missed it, I feel you'll really enjoy this sauce which is one of my most often-requested recipes.

I encourage you to visit Monet at Anecdotes and Apple Cores where you'll discover recipes for wonderful, classic breads and pastries which have an occasional surprising and interesting twist.  You'll also find her incredibly beautiful writing very captivating and moving.

For a truly easy and delicious recipe, see Bonnie's Spaghetti Sauce.  You can omit the meat if you prefer; just saute the onion in a little oil until translucent.

                                            Find a Little Comfort

    
                                                  And Enjoy!