Comfort Food Needed
Good morning, friends. Comfort food is where my heart takes me this morning. Are there times when comfort food is needed for you? This post wasn’t at all what I had on my calendar today…but, Hurricane Milton is weighing heavy on my heart this morning. With my sister, husband, son and family living either in or near Tampa, my thoughts are lingering there more than on the original post of the day.
You, see?
This sister has been the inspiration and/or included in more recipes shared on this blog than any other person. Now, she would tell you that she is not a “fancy” cook like I am…but, truly? I’m not a fancy cook either and she is an amazing cook.
She’s all about comfort food.
Which brings me to this post today…
Do you remember Mother’s spaghetti sauce that I shared with you? Well, she has been the keeper of the recipe for decades. When creating the recipe to share with you? I reached out to her for that family and familiar recipe. The one that her kids and grands can’t get enough of. Since they will be gathered in her home during this hurricane, I’m sure this recipe will be on the table.
Mama’s Spaghetti Sauce
Equipment
- 1 knife
- 1 cutting board
- Stove
- Skillet
- measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1/2 C onion, chopped
- 1/2 C green pepper, finely diced
- 1 8 oz. tomato sauce
- 1 6 oz. tomato paste
- 1 T Italian seasoning
- 1/2 t garlic powder
- 1/2 t salt
- 1/4 t pepper
- 2 t sugar or 3 pkg. artificial sweetener
- water- filled sauce and paste cans more as cooking to keep consistency you desire
- cooked and drained spaghetti or pasta of your choice
Instructions
- Dice onion and green pepper and add to ground beef in a skillet.
- Brown together and then drain, if needed.TIP: I love this tool for browning meat into finer pieces. It's great to use to combine tomato paste in later for this recipe, too.
- Drain grease and add back to pan.
- Add seasonings and sugar. TIP: sugar cuts the acidity of the tomatoes so don't skip it!
- Add tomato sauce and one can of water. Add tomato paste and one can of water to browned mixture.
- Cook 30 minutes to one hour on low.
- Add more water as needed to keep at the consistency you want.
- Serve over drained spaghetti or pasta of your choice.
- We always add grated parmesan to the top of the spaghetti. Don't forget to serve with a great salad and garlic bread.
Notes
Pumpkin bread added to the list…
A visit to see them produced her pumpkin bread. Isn’t there something comforting about pumpkin bread in the fall?
With feet under her table, that pumpkin bread was delicious. Here’s her recipe that we enjoyed.
Pumpkin Bread
Equipment
- oven
- Mixing bowl
- Measuring cups/spoons
- loaf pans
Ingredients
- 3 C all purpose flour
- 2 t baking soda
- 1 t nutmeg
- 1 t cinnamon
- 1/2 t salt
- 3 C sugar
- 1 C vegetable oil
- 4 large eggs
- 2/3 C water
- 2 C canned pumpkin
- butter or cooking spray to grease pans
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°.
- Grease two loaf pans with either butter or spray.
- Measure all ingredients.
- Whisk together first 5 dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
- Add sugar and mix into dry mixture.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together oil, water, and eggs.
- Add liquid ingredients and pumpkin to dry ingredients and stir with scraper until completely mixed.
- Fill 2 greased loaf pans 1/2 full and bake for 1 hour and 20 minutes.
- Let cool in pans on a cooling rack for 10 minutes before turning out to cool completely.
- Slice and serve warm or warm slices as needed when serving. Enjoy!
Notes
On another visit, we joined her son and family for dinner. Her granddaughter helped me make my recipe of fig and prosciutto pizza. What a joy!
Here’s that favorite comfort food recipe here. After all, don’t many of us need pizza in times of stress?
Fig and Prosciutto Pizza
Equipment
- oven
- microwave
- Lodge cast iron pizza pan, baking stone or baking sheet
Ingredients
- 2 T olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 oz. prosciutto, chopped
- 1 T fresh rosemary, chopped
- 1/2 C fig preserves
- 3/4 C crumbled feta or blue cheese
- 1/2 t freshly ground black pepper
- 1 11 oz. can, refrigerated thin pizza crust pizza crust of your choice
- Garnishes, if desired- fresh fig
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Combine oil and garlic in microwave safe bowl and microwave for 20 seconds.
- You may cook prosciutto in a skillet or oven until crisp and drain and then crumble for pizza OR you can chop prosciutto and add to pizza without cooking. Your preference!
- Unroll pizza dough and place on cast iron pizza pan or lightly greased baking sheet or stone.
- Brush dough with garlic infused oil and spread with fig preserves.
- Sprinkle evenly with prosciutto, cheese, rosemary and pepper.
- Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes or until crust is browned and crisp. Let stand 5 minutes before cutting. You may garnish with more rosemary or figs.
Notes
In the last year, another sister and I joined her for a cruise…
That trip took us to the Columbian Restaurant and that favorite salad I shared with all of you. Praying that the historic district where this family restaurant is located makes it through this storm.
Then last week? We were all together again in the Smokies.
More comfort food at local restaurants was enjoyed by all of us. From soups to pasta to farm favorites, comfort was enjoyed together.
As I type this, all family members are tucked into a new concrete reinforced home in a community 75 ft. above sea level, and 30 miles away from the shore. With 150 mile/hour rated roof, I’m praying for protection for them all. They have supplies in and ready, but I can’t imagine what the “waiting” must feel like for them.
She has assured me that among that comfort food she has chocolate, LOTS of chocolate stocked!
If you have watched the news, those evacuating are in a standstill situation on interstates running out of gas all before the storm has begun.
I know that it was difficult for them to stay, but being in a vehicle isn’t the best option either.
Many more friends live in or are visiting in the area who now can’t evacuate. Praying for all their safety this morning, as well.
Can I ask a favor? Could you pray for all in the path of this hurricane?
For all of you in the path of Hurricane Milton, may you be safe, and protected with no loss.
My prayers and love for you all,
Happy Fall from the Smokies
7 Comments
Tracey+Buchanan
These recipes all sound amazing . Know that we are praying, praying for all those in Milton’s path!!
Leslie J Watkins
Thank you so much for your prayers, Tracey. Praying for a good report from them on Thursday morning.
Cindy Walker
Oh yes! These comfort recipes are the best, especially when they come from family. I still order the salad dressing & olives from Columbia Restaurant. Most importantly, prayers going up for your family. May Our Heavenly Father protect each of them.
Leslie J Watkins
I have never ordered their olives…but, that dressing is amazing. Thank you so much, Cindy, for your prayers for them.
Vickie Ramey
Love you, too. And spaghetti is on the stove!
Leslie J Watkins
I’m sure all of that spaghetti was eaten! Hopefully your chocolate won’t run out! Praying fervently that no damage or harm comes your way.
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