comfort food

With the cold weather and more snow on the way (thanks, Mr. Weatherman) I love fixing those tried and true recipes otherwise known as comfort food. Most of them are my mother's recipes, and that's probably why they're so comforting; they're a delicious reminder of family dinners way back when. For food for thought friday I'm sharing two of my mother's recipes that have now become my family's favorites.

Chicken Divan
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 can cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup (I prefer cream of chicken)
1/4 to 1/2 cup milk (enough to make it creamy but not soupy)
2 cups cooked, cubed chicken
1-1/2 to 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1/8 to 1/4 tsp curry powder or to taste
1 package frozen broccoli (florets or chopped, your choice)
Cooked white or brown rice

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9x13-inch pan or similar casserole dish. Mix mayonnaise, soup, milk, chicken, cheese, and curry powder. Cook broccoli according to package directions. You can either layer the rice in the pan or leave separate. I prefer to layer. In greased pan layer rice (I use about 4 cups), then broccoli, then chicken mixture. Bake 350 for about 35 to 40 minutes. until heated through and bubbly on top.

Mom's Meatloaf
1 lb ground beef
1 egg
1 can French onion soup
12 to 14 saltines, crushed (or more for a drier meatloaf; I've used up to 20)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a regular loaf pan. Mix above ingredients in a large bowl and place in greased pan and bake for 1 hour or until cooked through. This is a very simple yet very yummy meatloaf. It's a big hit in our family!

What does your family consider comfort food during the winter months? What recipe is a tried and true favorite handed down from your mom or grandmother? In parting here's a quote from Ogden Nash perfect for this time of year. --Emily

A family is a unit composed not only of children but of men, women, an occasional animal, and the common cold.