8 Cozy 'Comfort Foods' that Come From My Kitchen

As the calendar spins faster around each year, we feel more and more like sitting inside and enjoying a little more of what we REALLY want. My family LOVES comfort food, and maybe a little too much. But when it's good, it's good-we can't take that away! Some 'comfort foods' aren't smothered in unflattering calories, though, and can be quite a bit of a treat to the pallet. Soup, stew and casseroles can be an easy way to get what you are looking for without packing on twice the calories. But don't forget to spoil yourself ONCE in a while, too! Cookies, "milk", sandwiches and soup.. take a look below for some of our favorite comfort foods to come from my kitchen!

Bacon Scalloped Potatoes      ♥♥♥♥.5

8 Large Potatoes, Peeled and Sliced Thin
2 Tablespoons Butter
2 Tablespoons Flour
2 Cups Milk
1 1/2 Cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese
1 Teaspoon Salt
1 Teaspoon Black Pepper
1/2 Teaspoon Garlic Powder

Chopped Ham
Chopped Crispy Bacon
1 1/2 Cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese


Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a medium-sized pot, add butter and heat to medium-high heat. When butter has melted add flour and whisk until thick and bubbly. Slowly begin to add milk, 1/2 cup at a time, whisking vigorously until ingredients have thickened, slightly. (Consistency should be a thick milk, not yet a gravy texture). Reduce to low heat. Add cheddar cheese and stir until melted. Season sauce with salt, pepper, garlic powder and remove from heat. In a 9 x 13 glass baking dish, grease and add sliced potatoes. Spread evenly across bottom of dish and pour a plentiful amount of cheese sauce over top. Add Chopped ham, crispy bacon bits and pour remaining cheese sauce, or mix slightly. Top with shredded cheddar cheese. Place in preheated oven for 45 minutes or until potatoes have become soft and cheese is golden brown. Remove from heat and let cool for 5-10 minutes. Serve warm with any additional salt or pepper to taste.

(About 8 Servings)


Being that I do come from a background of sauerkraut and corned beef, I may have a bit of bias over the deliciousness of this meal, but this really is a household classic that wins every time. It is a simple solution to any late night craving or dinner exhaustion. Perfect with a pint, ice cold glass of tea, or even a juice box. Buying fresh ingredients can make the difference of quality, so try this recipe at home and see what your family’s true colors are.


Robust Reuben Sandwich  ♥♥♥♥

1 ½ Tablespoons Real Mayonnaise
2 Slices Fresh Cut Marble Rye Bread
1 Cup Sliced Juicy Corn Beef
1 Slice Thick Cut Baby Swiss Cheese
¼ Cup Fresh Chilled German Sauerkraut
1 Tablespoon Rich Thousand Island Dressing


In a medium skillet, gently grease, and heat to medium heat. On each slice of bread, spread mayonnaise over each side and place into warm pan. Heat bread just until mayonnaise has lightly browned and flip each slice of bread to opposite side. Place layers of thick cut corn beef over one golden slice, and Swiss cheese over the other. Let cook until cheese has melted and both sides are golden. Add sauerkraut over meat, and top with an even spread of thousand island dressing. Top with remaining slice of bread and reduce heat to low. Cover sandwich and let grill until warm. Serve warm.


(About 1 Serving - Makes about 1 Reuben Sandwich)

Steak & Cabbage Stew ♥♥♥♥.5

1 Pound Thin Churrasco Steak, Cubed

1 White Onion, Diced

1/4 Cup Fresh Parsley

4 Garlic Cloves, Minced

2 Large Carrots, Peeled and Sliced

1/2 Cup Tomato & Garlic Salsa

1 Cup Beer

1 Teaspoon Salt

1 Teaspoon All-Purpose Season

1 Teaspoon Black Pepper

1/2 Teaspoon Garlic Powder

1/2 Teaspoon Caraway

6 Cups Water

4 Large Potatoes, Cubed

1 (14.5 ounce) Can Sweet Corn

4 Cups Cubed Green Cabbage

In a large pot or crock pot, add cubed churrasco steak, diced onion, parsley, garlic cloves, carrots and salsa. Heat pot to medium-high heat and let meat brown. Add beer and season with salt, all-purpose season, black pepper, garlic powder and caraway. Cover and let brown, stirring occasionally. When meat has cooked and vegetables softened, add water. Reduce to medium heat and add cubed potatoes. Cover and let bubble until softened. Drain corn and add to stew. Stir. Reduce to low heat for remainder. Before serving add cabbage and cook for 15 minutes, covered, to soften. Serve warm, with sesame toast or baked grilled cheese sandwiches. 

(About 10 Servings)

Wasabi Grilled Cheese    ♥♥♥♥.5

4 Slices Thick Cut Fresh Italian Bread

4 Tablespoons Wasabi Mayonnaise

4 Slices Smoked Provolone Cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread an even layer of Wasabi mayonnaise over each side of both bread slices. In a medium-sized frying pan, heat to medium, and place bread in heated pan. Let each side gently brown and then place 1 slice of cheese over each piece of bread. Reduce heat, cover, and let cheese melt slightly. Place each piece of bread over remaining slice, cheese to the center. When sandwiches are closed, place both onto a small cookie sheet and into the oven. Bake for 12-15 minutes, flipping once in between. Remove from heat and serve warm. 

(About 2 Servings - Makes about 2 Sandwiches)

Sausage Biscuits ’N Gravy    ♥♥♥♥

4 Large Potatoes, Peeled and Shredded

2 Tablespoons Olive Oil

1 Teaspoon Salt

½ Teaspoon Black Pepper

1.5 Pounds Lean Ground Pork

½ Teaspoon Fennel

½ Teaspoon Salt

2 Tablespoons Butter

¼ Cup All-Purpose Flour

1 Cup Milk

½ Teaspoon Garlic Powder

½ Teaspoon Black Pepper

½ Cup Shredded White Onion

½ Cup Diced Green Pepper

12 Prepared Biscuits

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 425. In a large 9 x 13 deep baking dish, line bottom and sides with fresh shredded potatoes. Pour olive oil over potatoes, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place potatoes in preheated oven for 15 minutes until slightly softened, and lightly crisped. Set aside, and reduce temperature to 350. In a medium skillet, add ground pork to medium heat. Season with a sprinkle of fennel and salt. Stir, break apart, and cook meat until medium brown, and crumbling. Turn off heat. In a medium-sized pot, heat butter to a high bubble. Add flour and begin to whisk together until thick and warm. Remain on high heat, gently pouring milk, one ¼ cup at a time. Stir until milk becomes thick and creamy. Season with garlic powder and black pepper. Remove from heat. Blot and drain beef with a paper towel, and add to the creamy milk mixture. Gently stir, adding shredded onion, green pepper, and whole green beans. When totally combined. Pour ingredients over crisped potatoes. Spread out evenly until whole dish has been covered. Place in 350 degree oven for 20 minutes. Remove from heat. Serve potatoes and gravy over round biscuits. 

(About 8 Servings) 

Waffle Batter Onion Rings    ♥♥♥♥.5

Olive Oil

2 Large White Onions, Sliced Into Large Circular Chunks

2 1/4 Cups All-purpose Flour

1 Teaspoon Baking Powder

1 Teaspoon Sugar

1 1/8 Teaspoon Salt

1 Cup Tonic Water

2 Eggs

In a large breading pan (or pie dish) place the 1/4 Cup of your flour and add sliced onions. Powder them with a light coating of flour and set aside. In a medium sized oil pan, pour no more than 1-2 inches of olive oil. Set temperature to high and let warm. In a large mixing bowl, add 2 Cups flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt. stir together until all ingredients are mixed well. Add tonic water, blending slowly, and then eggs, each cracked one at a time. Blend until all ingredients are smooth and creamy (about 2 minutes). When oil is at its maximum temperature, toss flour dusted onions into wet batter mixture, turning with tongs, covering both sides with a thick layer of batter. Place your battered onion in oil and let fry. Usually within a matter of seconds the onions start to crisp and brown. Use a wooden stick, or a skewer to turn the onion rings so that both sides can evenly brown. When crisped, take out of hot oil and place on a paper towel to drain. 

(Makes about 6 servings - about 48 onion rings)

Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies     ♥♥♥♥♥

1 Cup Margarine

1 Cup Packed Brown Sugar

½ Cup Granulated Sugar

1 ½ Tablespoons Vanilla

3 Large Eggs

1 Teaspoon Salt

1 Teaspoon Baking Powder

1 Teaspoon Baking Soda

2 ½ Cups All-Purpose Flour

1 (12 ounce) Bag Mini Chocolate Chips

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a large mixing bowl mix together margarine, brown sugar and granulated sugar. Blend with beaters or a stand mixer until sugars are completely smooth and thin. Add vanilla and stir. Break eggs, one at a time, and blend until well mixed. Slowly mix salt, baking powder, baking soda, and flour, one cup at a time. Mix until all ingredients are completely combined and batter is smooth. Gently add one bag of chocolate chips, folding in with a wooden spoon until well distributed. Place in refrigerator for 30 minutes. Grease each cookie sheet and line with a 1 ½ inch dollop of thick cookie dough about 2 inches apart from one another. Place cookie sheet in oven and bake for 6 minutes. Remove from oven and place each cookie on a cookie sheet for at least 5 minutes to cool. 

(About 4 dozen medium-sized cookies or about 6 dozen small cookies)

And with all of those cookies... you are going to need some, "Milk" to wash them down with!

Rowdy Russian Cocktail ♥♥♥♥.5                        

Ice

2 Shots Licor 43 (Vanilla Rum)

1 Cup Whole Milk

1 Shot Baileys Irish Cream

1/4 Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon

1 Cinnamon Stick

Fill cup with ice. Add 2 shots Licor 43, milk, Bailey's Irish Cream and stir. Sprinkle with ground cinnamon, and add a cinnamon stick. Serve cold.

Blog and Recipes by ©Amorie Keys, 2014. (Honey, I'm Home & Broke Momma Cooks). Photo Credit- Grilled Cheese- ©http://www.simplyscratch.com/2013/10/pot-roast-cheddar-grilled-cheese-sandwich.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed:+simplyscratch/wPkJ+(*simply+scratch*) , Scalloped Potatoes- ©http://fridgg.com/blog/colorful-scalloped-potato-gratin-with-three-types-of-potatoes-and-bacon-675.html , Reuben ©http://theframedtable.com/2013/04/reuben-sandwich/ , Beer Stew ©http://erecipecards.blogspot.com/2013/09/chicken-chili-beer-chicken-chili-52.html , Biscuits & Gravy ©http://www.bettycrocker.com/How-To/TipsLibrary/Baking-Tips/Easy-Biscuits-and-Gravy-Breakfast-Rolls , Onion Rings ©http://momitforward.com/cookbook-review-and-recipe-recipes-every-man-should-know , Chocolate Chip Cookies ©http://www.handletheheat.com/browned-butter-toffee-chocolate-chip-cookies/ , white russian ©http://waitingonmartha.com/sugar-n-spice-white-russian/ .