I need some comfort (food)

There is nothing like chilly temps to make me crave slippers (the real reason I work at home) and yummy, warm comfort food.

The good news is that comfort foods are often budget-friendly as well.

Meatloaf

Meatloaf sometimes gets a bad rap, but I love, love me some meatloaf and mashed potatoes, especially when the wind is a whirlin’ outside. Here is a new twist on an old favourite:

Mix together a pound of ground beef, two beaten eggs, a cup of breadcrumbs , a tsp of chili powder, a clove of minced garlic, sprinkle of salt and pepper and a cup of chunky salsa.

Form into a loaf and press into a loaf pan. Top with another layer of salsa and a sprinkling of cheddar cheese. Bake at 350 until done, about an hour.

Chicken Pot Pie

Mix together about 4 cups of chopped cooked chicken with about 4 cups of your favourite chopped veggies.  Mix in a can of cream of mushroom soup and about a half a cup of milk. Place in a casserole dish and top with a sheet of defrosted puff pastry.

Bake for about 30-35 minutes at 400 until sauce is bubbly and crust is golden.

Grilled Cheese

I’m talking fancy grilled cheese, worthy of dinner. In between those slices of bread, combine slices of brie with slices of apple or pear.

Sauté some onions, peppers and mushrooms and put them inside with a slice of subtle Swiss cheese.

Slice ham and pineapple to top your Cheddar between those bread slices. Yum!

Chicken Parmesan

Dip boneless chicken pieces in milk and then coat with Italian breadcrumbs. Top with a jar of tomato sauce and shredded mozzarella cheese. Bake at 425 for about an hour.

Beef Stroganoff

Brown one inch cubes of beef (about a pound, and a cut like sirloin works well). After beef is browned, remove from skillet and add a chopped onion and cook until translucent. Stir in a can of cream of mushroom soup and ¾ cup of milk, along with a tsp of paprika and salt and pepper to taste. When beef is cooked through, stir in a cup of sour cream and serve over cooked egg noodles.