Comfort Food

Ingredients 1 pound ground beef (leave out if making vegetarian) 1 russet potato diced small 2 cloves garlic 1 bell pepper diced small 1 poblano diced small 1-3 jalapeno diced small (vary # on heat desired), use seeds if desired but recommended 1 yellow onion diced small 1 tbsp vegetable oil 2 tbsp chili powder 2 tbsp cumin 2 tbsp black pepper 1 tbsp garlic salt One 20 oz can of sliced pineapple, only using the juice 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed well 1 can white beans, drained and rinsed well 1 can dark red beans, drained and rinsed well 1 can corn One 28 oz can whole peeled tomatoes Saltines, shredded cheese, and sour cream for serving Instructions In large pot, use oil and cook the ground beef over medium high heat. When about halfway (few minutes), add the potatoes, garlic, and jalapenos. When beef is nearly done (another 5 minutes or so), add the veggies and all the seasoning. Cook another couple minutes constantly stirring. Note: veggies do not need to be fully cooked at this point. Add juice from pineapple jar, but not the pineapple itself. (slices of pineapple are cook’s appetizer) Simmer 1 minute or so. Add rest of the cans, make sure to rinse the beans well. Bring to simmer, stir once and cook for 30 minutes. Serve with shredded cheese, saltines, and sour cream if you have them.

Ingredients ? cup spicy ketchup with a little sriracha added in 2 tbsp brown sugar 2 tsp white vinegar 2 tsp Vegetable oil 1 med onion diced 3 garlic cloves minced 2 large eggs 1 tsp dried thyme 3 tsp salt 2 tsp black pepper 2 tsp garlic salt 2 tsp dijon mustard 2 tsp worcester sauce 1/2 tsp hot red pepper sauce (like sriracha or hotter) 1/2 cup milk 2 pounds ground meat (half beef and half pork (can be italian sausage too)) ? cup crushed saltine crackers ? cup minced parsley Package of thick cut bacon Instructions Mix glaze (first three ingredients) and set aside Cook onion and garlic until transparent. Mix rest of ingredients (except the bacon) in bowl well using your hands. Form that onto a greased baking sheet to a meatloaf shape. Cover with and wrap with bacon. Cover that with glaze mixture. Add more spicy ketchup as needed, Preheat and bake at 350 for 75 minutes or until cooked through completely. Serve. Serving side suggestions: mashed potatoes, greens (brussels, carrots, etc.), rice, gravy, etc.

Ingredients 1 package beer brauts (1 lb or more) 4 tbsp butter 1 med yellow onion, thinly sliced 4 tsp flour 1 bottle guinness (11 0z) 1 can beef broth (or any broth) 1 tbsp dijon mustard 1 tbsp worcestershire sauce 2 tbsp brown sugar 1 tsp salt Ground pepper to taste Mashed potatoes from 1-2 pounds of taters Dealers choice on your recipe here. Use butter! Instructions Cook sausage as you want. Recommended to do on grill or frying pan covered. Gravy: in large skillet, over medium high heat, cook and stir onions in butter for about 20 minutes until carmelized. Add flour, cook and stir for a few minutes until golden brown. Add guinness, broth, dijon, worcester, sugar, salt, and pepper. Reduce heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes until thickened. Assemble: bangers + mash + gravy Optional, cook chicken thighs or legs same way as brauts and it becomes bangers, flappers and mash

Ingredients 2 pound stew meat 2 tbsp vegetable oil 2 tbsp black ground pepper 2 tbsp garlic salt 3 tbsp Worchester sauce 2 cups water 2 large russet potato diced small 3 cloves garlic minced 1 bell pepper diced small 1 poblano diced small 1-2 jalapeno diced small (vary # on heat desired), use seeds if desired but recommended 2 yellow onion diced small 1 container of sliced mushrooms 1 stalk of celery, diced 3-5 cups water (dependent on soupiness desired) 1 can corn 1 can okra Saltines and shredded cheese for serving Instructions In large pot, use oil and cook the beef over medium high heat. Add Worchester, pepper, garlic salt and minced garlic. After seared, add a few cups of water and bring to simmer. Lower heat to low, cook with lid on for 1 hour. Check occasionally and add more water if it has boiled off. Add all the veggies. Add more pepper and salt to taste. Add water as needed (depending on soupiness desired) and all canned ingredients. Bring to simmer, set to medium low heat, stir once and cook for 45 minutes. Serve with shredded cheese and saltines if you have them. Notes Ground beef can be substituted for stew meat. Dramatically lowers the needed cook time and frankly tastes just as good.

Ingredients 1 loaf stale french bread (doesn’t have to be stale) 1 quart (4 cups) milk 10 tbsp sweet butter, softened to room temp 4 eggs 1.5 cups granulated sugar 2 tbsp vanilla 1 cup raisins 1 cup confectioners sugar (this is powdered sugar with starch added, but buy it proper) 4 tbsp whiskey or more if you want Instructions Crumble bread into a large bowl and pour milk over it. Let stand for 1 hour Preheat oven to 325°F and grease 9x12x2 in. baking pan with 1-2 tbsp butter (use this much not less) In another bowl, beat together 3 eggs, all granulated sugar and vanilla extract. Stir this into the bread mixture and add raisins Pour into prepared baking pan, place on center rack and bake until browned (approx 70 minutes). Remove and cool to room temp Sauce: stir 8 tbsp butter and confectioners sugar together in a double broiler over simmering water until sugar is dissolved and mixture is very hot. Remove from heat. Beat the remaining egg well and whisk into the sugar mixture. Remove pan from base and continue beating sauce until it is at room temp. Add whiskey to taste (doubling is fine) Cut into squares and spoon a little sauce over each. Heat in the microwave to serve until sauce is bubbling

Ingredients 1 9" pound dough flattened 1.5 cups milk (almond, whole, or whatever) 2 tsp cajun seasoning 3 tbsp butter (or less) 1 green bell pepper diced 1 onion diced 3-4 tbsp all purpose flour (vary depending on thickness desired) 2 cups chicken broth (or water) 1 lb red potatoes (or any color) diced small 1 whole rotisserie chicken shredded well (can substitute 1 lb cooked sausage) 2 diced and seeded jalapenos Salt and pepper to taste (min 1 tsp each) Instructions Put pie dough on baking sheet, brush on some milk, sprinkly just a little bit of cajun seasoning (this is not included in amount above) and bake at 400 F for 15-20 min until crispy and golden brown. Melt butter in large skillet and cook onion and bell pepper until softened. Add cajun seasoning and flour. Stir and cook flour until raw flavor is gone (1 minute or so). Add milk and chicken broth and stir well. Add potatoes and chicken and jalapenos. Bring to simmer and cook 20 min minimum. Add water if you want it thinner. Serve in bowl and cut a slice out of the pie crust to dip in the top per serving (the pie crust makes 4 servings ideally)

Ingredients 3 lbs bone in chicken thighs 5 cups unsalted chicken stock 1 tbsp butter 1 huge russet potato, diced 3 medium carrots, diced 3 celery ribs, diced 1 humongous onion, diced 3 cloves garlic, minced 2 bay leaves Pinch dried thyme 1/2 cup all purpose flour (less not more) 1 cup frozen green peas Salt and pepper to taste Dough: 2 cups all purpose flour 1 tbsp baking powder (not soda) 1 tsp salt 3/4 cup milk 2 tbsp butter 1 tbsp olive oil Optional: salt and fish sauce for table side seasoning ...

Ingredients 2 lbs chicken thighs with bone 2 tsp salt 2 tsp pepper 1 tbsp olive oil 1 huge onion, diced 4 garlic cloves, minced 3 huge carrots, thinly sliced 3 celery stalks, chopped 1/4 cup fresh parsley 1 tbsp minced thyme, or half tbsp dried/ground 1 bay leaf 7-8 cups chicken stock, use kitchen basics 6 oz egg noodles Salt and pepper to taste Garnish with grated parmesan and sriracha to taste Instructions In saute mode, saute oil, onions, garlic for few minutes. Stir in carrots, celery, herbs and spices Add chicken stock, chicken. Cover and pressure cook for 15 minutes Turn off and open pressure release nozzle Remove chicken and debone Put back on saute mode and when simmering add noodles. Cook for 6 minutes and then turn pot off Add in the parsley Serve with parmesan and sriracha at the table

Ingredients 2 tbsp olive oil 1 large onion, diced well Most of a head of celery (1.5 cups or so), diced small, do this well 1 tsp salt One large carrot, diced small 1 bell pepper, diced 3 cups diced potatoes (4 small, 2 large), dice small 3 cups water (no more!, maybe a smidge less for a thicker chowder) 1 tsp dried thyme 1 lb frozen corn (one package usually) 1 cup milk (almond or oat works fine) 3-4 oz cream cheese, plain 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or similar) Black pepper and salt to taste Optional, 2 tsp chopped fresh dill Saltines (to crumble and add in) Instructions Heat oil and cook onions, celery, carrots, bell pepper, and salt until soft. Add potatoes, water and thyme. Bring to simmer and cook ~5 minutes. Add corn and thyme, simmer and cook another ~5 minutes until all veggies are tender Keep simmering. Meanwhile, add two cups of soup into a blender along with milk, cream cheese, shredded cheese. Whirl until smooth Pour puree back into pot and bring back to temperature gently Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add dill. Serve with saltines or crackers Notes Do not shortchange cooking times, more if anything Don’t add too much water Crackers are key to making it a 10. By itself maybe an 8 or 9

Ingredients 2 tbsp olive oil or butter 1 large onion, diced well Most of a head of celery (1.5 cups or so), diced small, do this well 1 tsp salt One large carrot, diced small 1 medium zucchini, diced 1 bell pepper, diced 4 cups diced potatoes (gold potatoes best), diced small 1 cup water 16 oz clam juice (can come in 16 or 8 oz bottles) 0.5 cup dry white wine Black pepper to taste 1 tbsp fresh dill 2 lbs thawed, cut to bite size, white/firm fish fillets 4 oz cream cheese, plain 1 cup milk, almond or oat is fine 1 lb small shrimp, peeled and deveined Saltines (to crumble and add in), these really make it good Instructions Warm oil or butter in large soup pot on medium heat. Add onion and salt, cook 5 minutes covered. Add carrots and celery, cook 5 more minutes covered. Add zucchini and bell pepper, cook another 5 minutes covered Add potatoes, clam juice, water, and wine. Simmer covered for 10 minutes at least (more is OK) Add black pepper, dill, and fish. Simmer covered for 5-10 minutes While fish cooks, puree in blender cup of hot soup, milk and cream cheese. Add back to mixture AFTER step 3 Add shrimp and simmer another few minutes until shrimp are cooked Serve with saltines