Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Easy Comfort

A bitter north wind roared into town last night.  It has been steadily stripping away the fall foliage from our trees... leaving some naked, down to their winter bark.  Evan has needed comfort from a nagging backache; I have needed comfort from missing my Little Man and his folks (always takes me a few days to get back on track after a visit).  So, I'm sharing a couple of easy and comforting recipes we have enjoyed the past couple of days.  They are from the Taste of Home Prizewinning Recipes.


Mexican Chip Casserole by Doris Heath

1 lb. ground beef
1 medium onion
1 garlic clove, minced
1 can (10 3/4 oz.) condensed cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
1 can Mexicorn
1 can chopped green chilies
1 package (10 oz.) corn chips
1 can (10 oz.) enchilada sauce
1-2 cups shredded Colby-Jack cheese

In a skillet, cook beef, onion and garlic over medium heat until meat is browned and onion is tender; drain.  Add soup, corn and chilies;  mix well.

In an ungreased shallow 3-qt. baking dish, layer meat mixture, corn chips and enchilada sauce; top with cheese.  Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees until heated through (15-20 minutes).
YIELD: 6 servings


Yes, there are only two of us.  Yes, in less than seven hours after coming out of the oven, there were only two pieces left... which are gone now.


Cheddar Pear Pie by Cynthia LaBree

4 large ripe pears, peeled and thinly sliced.
1/3 c. sugar
1 T. Cornstarch
1/8 t. salt
1 unbaked pastry shell (9 inches)

TOPPING:
1/2 c. shredded cheddar cheese (I used a sharp, aged cheddar)
1/2 c. all purpose flour
1/4 c. butter, melted
1/4 c. sugar
1/4 t. salt

In bowl, combine pears, sugar, cornstarch and salt.  Pour into pastry shell.  Combine topping ingredients until crumbly; sprinkle over filling.  (NOTE:  I always combine all dry ingredients and mix well before adding moist ingredients.  Don't know if that really matters... but, I'm obsessed with it.  What can I say?)

Bake at 425 degrees for 25-35 minutes or until crust is golden and cheese is melted.   Cool on a wire rack for 15-20 minutes.  Serve warm.  Store in the refrigerator.  YIELD:  6-8 servings.

Wishing lots of warm comfort for all!!

23 comments:

Julie Harward said...

I so understand about the little guy leaving. These recipes look way good..thanks! ;D

Chatty Crone said...

They all looked great - but cheddar pear pie - wondered how that tasted with the two different flavors.

sandie

nanny said...

I love a new recipe....thanks
I share your emptiness....little stinkers sure have our hearts! I thought maybe as time went on I would get more adjusted, but it isn't happening!

Tanna said...

Sandie: the sweet of the pears (and sugar) and savory of the cheese are delicious together!

Nanny: I know. Do you think it will get better anytime soon?

Solar Powered said...

oh how wonderful the two of those sound. nothing like some good comfort food to cure the soul. i'm off to wrap up. let's just hope it warms a touch for Sunday!

Chel's Leaving a Legacy said...

I'm printing those recipes. Now. They look fantastic! That cheddar pear pie...oh my! :-)

Anonymous said...

I'm needing some good ol' comfort food about right now. The pictures and the ingredients are making me hungry. Thank you for sharing!

Viola over at www.alongawidowedroad.blogspot.com

Betsy Brock said...

comfort food...just another reason I love the colder months! Yum!
Both look great but that cheddar pear pie is very intriguing to me! And it's beautiful!

Christine said...

These are perfect for your cold days. And thanks for the recipes.
Two of my favorite things, pears and cheese...ummmm!

Amanda said...

Three words: Yum! Yum! Yum!

I could use some comfort food of my own, but I just don't even feel like cooking it. =( I did make some chili tonight though. It was delicious. I made Alex a little frozen chicken pot pie, and he ate like a champ. That lifted my spirits a little bit. He earned three Nillas. =) If you were here, I'm sure it would have been five. LOL!!

Carol............. said...

Perfect! I'm going to a potluck at the neighbors this weekend and I'll be bringing the casserole. (I think they're all tired of my green bean casserole that I seem to bring to each event! LO

You will make my neighbors happy by posting this!

Can't believe how big that sweet boy is getting...and now to be a big brother to boot! Congrads on the one to come.

podso said...

I think we are getting colder weather tomorrow after our thunderstorms today, so this would be very good in such weather (or any weather, actually, they look so good!)

Hope you're having a good week!

Vickie said...

Hi Tanna - these recipes look so good. Anything Mexican-y my family loves, and that Cheddar Pear Pie looks great - interesting mix of flavors - that's why I would like to give it a try!

Sorry you miss your LM. But Christmas is soon to be here and you'll get some more lovin' on him!

Lauri said...

Yummy! I am definitely going to try that mexican dish - I LOVE making one-dish meals! Thanks for sharing!

From the Kitchen said...

One of my favorite childhood desserts was apple pie with cheddar topping. I think pear would be equally good. And the casserole has all the components to make us comfortable. I know what you mean about needing time to adjust after being with the children. Chin up--start thinking about the next visit!!

Best,
Bonnie

Janean said...

tanna, i'm swooning over this delicious looking and sounding food. oh my goodness i swear i could smell the aroma over the internet!!!! yum!

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Such delicious recipes! I love cheddar cheese in anyhting!

I saw your comment on Nanny's blog and I had to come over to your blog. I live in NYC and I my almost two year old grandson lives in Colorado. The distance is so hard! We do SKYPE now and then, but there is nothing like holding them in your arms. sigh
Happily I'll be seeing him agian soon -- I can't wait! We have another grandson on the way in the spring.

Solar Powered said...

Thank you so much for the advice and the pep talk. Honestly, I needed to hear the words "savor it". I have now replaced my stressing with a savoring, enjoying attitude! I'm so excited for Sunday to get here.

Diana Ferguson said...

That cheesy casserole has to be the best!!!

What Karen Sees said...

These look like perfect 'comfort foods' for a cold, dreary, snowy wintry day. I', going to try them!

♥Sugar♥Plum♥Fairy♥ said...

U ave chosen well , the best foods when the weather gets down and under!
I love that Christmacy plate u have , oh yeah i gettn all my stuff out too:-)
Thannxx a ton for all ur kind support and love and wishing u joy for the season too!
Happy weekend!

Tara said...

Definetly comfort food! Sounds yummy. Congrats about the grandbaby. I know you are excited. Won't be long it will be Christmas and you will get to love on that sweet Lil Man.
Have a blessed weekend.
Hugs,
tara

Yolanda said...

This looks so yummy I will have to try it. I am glad to have found your blog. I love bunalows. Hope you have a wonderful weekend.

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