Comfort Food Classics

There's nothing like classic comfort food on a damp autumn day. There's something comforting about a meal from our childhoods. It brings about Proustian memories of soothing aromas and tastes. It 's like a security blanket protecting us from bad days and bad bosses. Who cares about calories and the amount of fat it has. It's comfort food, enough said!

Another good thing about comfort food is that it's relatively easy to make. I've just recently rediscovered Swanson's Chicken A la King. It's just heat up and pour over toast or rolls. It's a simple mix of white gravy , chicken chunks and red peppers. Yet it;s a complex blend of memories and comfort, recalling cozy dinners or Saturday lunches from the Madman Era.Another easy to make comfort food is grilled cheese. It's a slice of cheddar over white bread.It can call on some fancy twists, like adding a tomato slice or bacon or both. Fry it with a slice of ham and you have that French classic., the croque monsieur.

Of course you can make the more complicated classics. Everyone loves baked mac. It is somewhat labor intensive but well worth it. It does take time so it's best made on a Saturday or a Sunday. The same thing goes for roasts. Yes, it's wonderful to have a turkey or roast beef dinner with all the trimmings, yet they can't be made on a busy weekday night- unless you ave a lot of help or head over to Boston Market.

There's nothing like classic comfort food. They're the perfect way to end the day or celebrate a big weekend. Their aromas, their tastes all as soothing as a security blanket!

Barbecue Plan B

Somehow this May has not been the perfect outdoor grilling month - or at least not in my area. Right now the temps are in the fifties and there's an autumnal torrent of rain outside. Not the best weather for a barbecue. Actually we've had more chilly days like this than warm ones. What happens when your planned barbecue day turns out like this?

Go directly to plan B.

There's nothing like an indoor summer party. As disappointing as it sounds you actually are creating a healthier meal. Don't forget that charcoal brings out the carcinogens in meat which can lead to various types of cancer (most notably colon) . Also you have the alternative of pan frying in olive oil. You can even roast hot dogs this way or just for the better method of boiling. or steamed. Shish kabobs and chops can be put under the broiler for the same taste more or less. Also cooking the meat indoors also prevents any burning or charring mishaps and the food will takste better.

Even that out door dessert , s'mores can be made inside. You can roast marshmallows over a burner for that toasted quality. An easier, maybe less messy way is make the sandwiches and microwave them for a few seconds . You'll still get that warm , gooey goodness and the same flavor (without the jarring taste of charred marshmallow).Another variation is adding fruit such as sliced strawberries or banana chunks. An indoor barbecue is also a great time to whip up a quick and fun chocolate fondue for your guests and yourself.

If there's rain on outdoor party, don't panic. You can turn it into a fun experience by falling back on plan B - an indoor barbecue. It's still fun and you can still enjoy all your favorite out door foods. - without getting rained on.