Your Turn! Tell me a recipe you would like to see...

THE COMFORTABLE LIVING EXPERIENCE

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Ok... I am really excited about this post.  So far I have been picking random "Comfort Food" recipes that I thought you may enjoy.  I have had so many positive responses and feedback, so I have decided to include all of you out there who are interested in becoming part of the "Comfort Food For Living Experience."  My goal is to become an interactive community that loves sharing and learning new recipes and sharing some favorite recipes to the public.  These are a few ways you can get involved in The Comfortable Living Experience, AKA: T.C.L.E.

1) Submit requests for recipes that you would love to try.  These requests can be any style of food from the traditional Americana all the way down to an odd foreign plate you have been dying to try.  If I do not have the recipe you are looking for I will post to the other C.L.E. patrons while I find a recipe.  Remember, I never post any recipe that I have not prepared and tried myself. 

2) Submit your own favorite recipes for posting so that others can share in your favorite dishes.  Remember, the credit will always go to you for any "yummies" you share with us. 

3) Try one of the already posted recipes and share with everyone how you added or substituted  your own personal touches to make it "your" own.  Again, credit will always go where credit is due.  

     I would just love for us to have a place that we can escape the world, even for a moment, while we are expanding on our interest, "THE ART OF COOKING!"  I think this is going to be a great success that we will enjoy.  

   Remember, recipes can be ANYTHING: Meats, sides, slow-cooker, grilling out, tofu, salads, desserts, candy, drinks (virgin or not)... Whatever you want to make, I would love to make it too.  
   I look forward to T.C.L.E growing and comfort-food-living.blogspot.com becoming a hot spot community where anyone can be comfortable.  

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The Comfortable Living Experience

Email anytime with questions or comments:  janetpetty@rocketmail.com

ENJOY AND GOOD EATIN'!  See ya'll real soon.

Squash Casserole

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Personally, I do not like squash.  But, I love this recipe.  I had this casserole at a party and asked the lady for the recipe.  She was older, and it had been in her family for so long, she had to make me a batch so she could write down what and how much ingredients she used.  I hope you give it a try!  YUMMY!

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What you need:

6-8 Medium Squash

1 medium onion chopped

1 stick melted butter

1 egg

1 Tbsp. Sugar

3/4 cup sour cream

1/2 tsp. pepper

1 tbsp. salt

1/2 cup grated cheese

1 cup bread crumbs

Cook squash and onion until tender.  Drain well. Add butter and egg, mix well.  Fold in sour cream, pepper, sugar, and salt.  Pour into flat casserole dish.  Top with cheese and bread crumbs, mixed.  Bake at 350 Degrees F for 30 minutes or until firm.  

Again, this is an oldy buy a goody!  Some people like to use frozen squash to save time, but I never have so I do not know how much to use.  Maybe this is something you could play around with and let us all know!  

ENJOY!

Jpett

Mississippi Mud.. Easy and so Southern Baptist

Ha Ha! Maybe not as Southern Baptist as is Chocolate Lovers Fantasy, but, want to know how to make the mouth water? Well, it is actually not too hard.  Get your cocoa out and learn!
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My husband's father loves this.  He also eats cocoa powder out of the can, so ya know... Anyway, my mother-in-law provided this recipe.  Make and enjoy!

Mix together:

1 cup melted butter (2 sticks)

2 cup sugar

4 beaten eggs

After that add:

1/3 cup cocoa

1 1/2 cup sifted flour

After that:

Fold in 1 cup coconut and 1 cup chopped walnuts

Bake in 13"X9" greased pan at 350 degrees F for 40 minutes

While still hot, spread one jar of marshmallow creme. Allow to cool, then frost with:

1/3 cup cocoa and

1 box of powdered sugar, stirred into

1 cube melted butter and

1/3 cup milk along with

1 t. vanilla

(This is basic chocolate buttercream frosting.  It frosts cakes beautifully too!)

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That is it! Pretty simple... Make it, serve it, and eat it up!

ENJOY!

Comfort Food Defined

Comfort Food is traditionally defined as:  Food that is simply prepared and is often associated with a sense of home or contentment.  
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We all have our own definition of what comfort food is to each of us, as individuals.  Usually it is a food that we relate to.  Food that when tasted releases endorphins which provides us with a sense of happiness and an overall positive sense of well-being.  Webster's Dictionary states that the term "Comfort Food" was first used in 1977.  One America Study showed that "males preferred warm, hearty, meal-related comfort foods (such as steak, casseroles, and soup), while females instead preferred comfort foods that were more snack related (such as chocolate and ice cream). In addition, younger people preferred more snack-related comfort foods compared to those over 55 years of age." 


In a reader's opinion poll by About.com, the following are the top 25 foods stated as comfort foods by respondents:

Apple Pie, Baked Beans, Banana Pudding, Beef Stew, Chicken and Dumplings, Chicken Pot Pie, Chicken Soup, Chili, Chocolate Chip Cookies, Corn on the Cop, Fried Chicken, Gelatin Dessert, Green Bean Casserole, Hot Dogs, Hot Chocolate, Ice Cream, Macaroni and Cheese, Mashed Potatoes, Meatloaf, Pizza, Pot Roast, Potato Salad, Pumpkin Pie, Shepard's Pie, Spaghetti, Tomato Soup, Tuna Casserole, and etc.  


(These were just the top categories in this poll. The list obviously goes on for each individual)

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During the posts to this blog I will post several recipes that are listed above and others.  If you have a comfort food that you would like to see a recipe for that is not hard to make, yet delightfully delicious, let me know!  Chances are I know one... If I do not, I will experiment with recipes and find a great one for you!  I also usually have a YUMMY vegetarian alternative for any dish.  

Also, I reiterate that comfort food does not have to be fatty, high-carb, heart attack on a plate type of food.  Comfort food is that taste that as soon as it hits your tongue you, momentarily, find yourself in a peaceful secluded place where all of your worries and the stresses of life are nowhere to be found. You are simply taken away and you are, well, comfortable! 

Anything can be fine in moderation.  I stress this to you.  I will be providing recipes that are traditional southern favorites, like the fried chicken.  However, I also have plenty of healthy alternatives such as spring salads, hearty organic soups, vegetarian dishes, and yes, even recipes for the trendy vegan dieters out there.  I have learned comfort can be found in a variety of dishes.  Whatever your taste buds tell you feels comfortable, it is okay! You should take pride in your style and respect the style of your fellow neighbors!  

So, please, stay tuned.  I encourage you to be open-minded and try many different styles of cooking.  You will appreciate your new diverse style while becoming culturally aware in many different aspects of the world of comfortable living and, of course, eating!  

ENJOY AND HAPPY EATING!  

JPett

Chicken Pot Pie EASY EASY

Ok, so, I must admit, I am new to this whole blogging thing.  I started it because, well, I like to write.  Besides the obvious, I also like to cook.  So, I figured, why not, might as well, post favorite recipes to others who cook so they can be proud of their masterpieces that they do not always have to call "life."  Ah, yes, life.  Well, that subject is a bit much to discuss on my first post, so instead I will simply post a nice picture and directions of how to make a tasty, yet simple, and even better fast recipe that will have your loved ones, or enemies, thinking you spent hours on.  Looking through my handwritten cook-book I believe I will choose a very tasty, yet cheap CHICKEN POT PIE!  Take a look!

I ate this a lot growing up.  Not having much money, well, like I said, it was cheap and effective.  We always thought Mom put SOOO much time and effort into making it, well, until I grew up and she passed on a few things to me.  I still love it, and you can even add your own touches, that simple yet has the desire to become unique.. So, here goes.

WHAT YOU NEED:

1) 2 Regular frozen pie crusts (Some people who like bread, like me from the deep south, sometimes choose the deep dish frozen crusts.)

2) 1 of the Large Cans of Veg-All (I recommend the normal veg-all, not off-brand.  Some off-brand is good, but in this product, just not the same.  Oh yeah, make sure you do NOT get the "No-Salt Added." ICK!) 

3) 1 of the Large Cans of Cream of Chicken Soup. (I recommend Campbell's.  I am not always one to recommend the named brands, but I do where it counts.  Believe me, on a budget I have tried others and the taste does not add up.  It is a mix and bake pie as is, so do not skimp on the cents here. Again, I recommend regular, but if you or one you are serving is on the verge of a heart attack or something, sure get the healthy choice low sodium or whatever it is called.)

4) Either or... 1 package pre-cooked chicken that is cut in bites, (like Tyson), OR take a little extra time, boil a chicken, shred it and utilize the healthiest, white, non-fat meat. (If you do not know how to shred properly, it is simple, just get with me. Will be the best thing you have ever done for other recipes, INCLUDING pulled chicken BBQ.  That is for another day.)

So, what to do next?  Ok...  Oven set to 375 degrees F

1) Mix veg-all, cream of chicken, and chicken together.  (If you cooked the chicken and did not purchase pre-cooked, well, cook it first.  I know that sounds dumb to say, but I always throw disclaimers just in case someone is not the brightest crayon in the box when it comes to cooking.)   ; )

2) Ensure your frozen pie crusts are no longer frozen and peel off of the foil cooking sheets slowly not to tear and put one in the bottom of a glass casserole dish like the one shown. )If you tear it some, no biggy piece it back together in bowl, no one will know the difference, PROMISE!)

3) Pour your mixed mixture onto the pie crust already layered in bottom of bowl.

4) Peel off the already non-frozen pie crusts that is left and turn upside down on top off mixture and tuck in.  Again, if you accidentally tear it some piece it back on, it will cook okay, unless you just tore it all up, then it will still be tasty, but look like crap.  (Just be nice and serve your family their own bowls of pie that night if that happens, they will never know.)

5) Cook, depending on oven, 35-40 minutes or until golden light brown on top.  Remove from oven, poke a few holes in top (like 4) to let some steam out.  Let stand for about 5 minutes and serve right up.  

Nice things?  No need for bread or sides, everything is right there in the pie!  Also, remember, you can add your own touches once you start making it a few times.  Some add pepper, garlic, or bay leaves.  Some like cutting their own veggies and making the pie.  Either way, this will be a sure hit.  It is great for when you do not have the time or feelings, or want for that matter for a big drawn out dinner.  I hope you enjoy!

I will be posting more recipes to come.  I have more simple ones that make your cooking look professional like this one.  I also have more demanding recipes that pay off in the end.  So, stay tuned.  Please, feel free to post how you made this dish your own.  I love feedback.  But, please, nothing hateful.  I am just sharing!  Goodnight from Chattanooga, TN!

JPett