Stick to your Ribs Comfort Food for when the Weather gets Cold

I don’t know about you, but when the weather starts to turn cold, I like to turn to “Stick to your Ribs Comfort Food.”  The cover photo came from a pot of beef stew I made last weekend while watching college football.  It is easy to make, relatively inexpensive and provides several meals.  It covers all of the basics including, lean protein and vegetables and alongside a whole grain role is very filling.  I freeze half of the pot and will use it in a couple of weeks.

Another favorite of my kids is called sausage stew.  It consists of kielbasa, diced onions, canned tomato soup and sliced mushrooms.  I slice the kielbasa ¼” to ½” and brown it in the pot.  Once it is browned, I add the tomatoes and the tomato soup.  I also add one or two cans of water, depending on how much sauce I want.  I let it simmer for 10-12 minutes and then I put a layer of mild chili powder on the top. I continue to let it simmer allowing the chili powder to soak in.  Once completed, I serve over a scoop of rice. This dish gets better as it sits in the fridge for a day or two.  It also freezes very well.

I also like to do a chicken and rice dish that is very simple.  Cook up a chicken breast (or use thigh meat, or leftover turkey), add cream of mushroom soup and serve over rice or noodles.  When I cook the rice, I add chicken bouillon to the water to infuse flavor into it. I also add a small tab of butter once it is on the plate to give it a little moisture. Quick, simple and usually one or two pan dishes.

Soups, casseroles, stews are all good this time of year.  With the flexibility of crock pots these dishes are easy to make and for the most past healthy to eat.

Now I need you “go to” recipes.  Email them to randall.bogden@townsquaremedia.com so I can try them out on my family

Take a look at this food history from the year you were born: