comfort food Archives - Feet Under My Table

Weekend Moments

Leslie J Watkins — Sat, 18 Jan 2025 16:31:54 +0000

Just thought I would dip my toes in the water today and share a bit of weekend moments on a Saturday. It has been a cold and comfort food week here. Fresh greenery with red bows, (for Valentine’s Day, right), still hang on my door and provide comfort for birds to nestle in. The addition of birdseed to the feeders brought the sweetest birds right outside the door. With snow melting, it was time to remove the wreaths and Christmas decorations from outside windows and lamp posts. The deep freeze is still continuing, with a tiny break in temperatures before it plunges again. I’ll take it. What has your week looked like? This week has been full of gathering documents for taxes. Can I share a tip that has been life changing for me? I have always just put away things needed for taxes in files. Things that are deductible have gone into their separate home in files in our file cabinet. Then in January? The usual routine is to remove folders from the cabinet, locate receipts, create lists and spreadsheets, and fill out tax planners. Does that sound like your way to navigate taxes? This year? In 2024, I began to keep a notebook for just taxes. Tabs for each category added and then, guess what? Each time deductions came in that were needed for our business or to be used for taxes…they were added to the notebook. Recorded. Some receipts in sheet protectors. When my husband began adding work categories into a spreadsheet on his computer this week? He was shocked that my book already had files, totals, receipts. Making our usual job less tenuous. No headaches…yet. No dread. This notebook makes a huge difference in tax preparation. Perhaps because it kept me focused on keeping a continual record. And, it worked. I’d love to know if you have even more tips on how to make this process easier. This week on the blog… I shared comfort food. White beans and ham, cornbread and that tomato jam that makes the perfect comfort food meal was created and shared. If you missed it, you can read it here. This month’s Vue magazine recipes included that cornbread and loaded potato soup. Both have been enjoyed here this week. Perfect for cold weather and soup season. Do you ever have things that stir around in your head and heart for a while…and then you know it’s the right time to share? That’s what happened with this month’s article for the Vue magazine… This week in review… Zoom calls for the blog helped add focus for the year. Then, approval of next month’s Vue magazine proofs happened. Work on a new project continued with intensity. Cleaning out spaces took donations to charities in our community. Christmas decorations inside and out continue their trek back to the attic and storage areas. Feet under my table with family occurred. AND, my sweet great nieces made the cutest video for selling girl scout cookies. Too cute not to share this one with you. If you need a girl scout to order cookies from, here’s their online links… Jude Selah Yep! I’ve already ordered from them both! Aren’t they the cutest?!!!! Some great finds this week… Now are you in the mood for more comfort food? Here you go! Weekend moments brings me to these on the menu… With roast beef on the menu this week…beef stew from leftovers is happening here today. Tomorrow, the winter tortellini soup is on the menu. A favorite! May your weekend bring feet gathered together under your table for a bit of wonderful food, conversation and laughter, friends. Enjoy each moment this weekend,

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Southern White Beans and Ham

Leslie J Watkins — Tue, 14 Jan 2025 15:46:10 +0000

Are you a lover of southern white beans and ham? Growing up, there was always a pot of them made during the winter months. Restaurants here locally serve white beans and ham with fish, hushpuppies and other sides. Free. Just a complimentary side brought to the table with hushpuppies when you are seated. Divine. Somehow, when things lay heavy on my heart, cooking is soothing for me. Is it that way for you, too? With family affected by the Palisades fire, my prayers and focus took me to the kitchen. It was a baked ham, chili and meatloaf created and added to the freezer on Saturday. Today? There’s a need for comfort food…and what better “fix” than white beans and ham. Are you a fan of white beans and ham? If you aren’t from the south, these may never have made their way to your table. Right? But…if you are a southerner, chances are this was a staple in your home, too. Recently, I created a new recipe for the southern black eyed peas made for New Year’s Day. Another tradition in our southern home. A simple bit of inspiration from the packaging took me to add and delete until I was happy. Why not try to use that recipe to make white beans even better. Since my husband had NEVER liked black eyed peas, but LOVED this year’s new recipe? Why not give this one a go?!! To begin making white beans and ham? Tradition says you have to start with dried beans. Now, my mother always used the entire bag for our family…but, since I may be the only one who actually eats this, I’ll half the recipe I’m sharing today. A ham hock ALWAYS adds the BEST flavor for this pot of beans. I had lots of sliced ham from Saturday’s ham…so, dicing a couple of cups was my change for this one today. Really, add a ham hock to the pot if you have one and reduce the amount of ham would be my suggestions. But today? only diced ham was the choice. Feel free to add that in if you want to change it out for the diced ham in the recipe. There’s just something about the ham bone that gives the loveliest of flavors. I’ll add a bit of the tomato jam served with these white beans and ham. If you don’t can those, feel free to look for a great tomato relish. Even a green tomato relish is delightful. Add cornbread or biscuits, and you have created a great comfort food combination. Perfect for cold weather lunches or evening meals. Hope you love this one! Now, any southerner knows that cornbread goes with this pot of white beans and ham. Can I tell you a secret? This recipe is better than my mother’s. Even though mine cooked a little longer than I intended…and I added a bit more ham to the pot than needed? There’s more flavor and goodness that ticks all the comfort food boxes. And my husband who hates white beans and ham? He liked them! Who knew a bit of changing up the recipe would work? Perfect for the cold weather that we are experiencing right now. Soothing ease for my mind and heart today. Thankful for a miracle, answered prayers and spared Palisades home with family safely with others. But, continuing to pray for protection for that home and a safe return back soon. And praying for winds to calm, rains to cease fires, and restoration physically, emotionally and spiritually for all affected. So, you’ll find me in the kitchen. Praying. Cooking. Making white beans and ham. One of the perks of cold weather for me? Enjoying all the comfort food favorites that seem to always taste better at this time of year. Warming. Filling. Flavorful. Hope you enjoy this one, friends…and that you and all you love are safe and out of harm’s way.

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Comfort Food Needed

Leslie J Watkins — Tue, 08 Oct 2024 17:54:59 +0000

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. 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. 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? 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,

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Mrs. Wages Salsa Mix to the Rescue

Leslie J Watkins — Tue, 08 Aug 2023 16:31:44 +0000

Mrs. Wages mild salsa mix makes the most amazing salsa to add to your pantry or freezer. Sharing how to make it today!

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The Ultimate Spaghetti Sauce For A Perfect Meal

Leslie J Watkins — Tue, 31 Jan 2023 12:00:00 +0000

Sharing the legacy of my Mama's spaghetti sauce today. A family favorite I hope you will add to your recipe file!

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When Food Evokes Memories–a GREAT Chicken and Dumplings Recipe!

Leslie J Watkins — Wed, 09 Mar 2022 12:00:00 +0000

Do recipes bring back memories for you? Chicken and Dumplings always brings back delightful memories of gathering around the table. Sharing a great recipe with you today!

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The Perfect Turkey Meatball Soup- Gluten Free

Leslie J Watkins — Tue, 15 Feb 2022 12:00:00 +0000

Here's the perfect turkey meatball recipe that creates the BEST turkey meatball soup...a great gluten free recipe!

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It’s a Chicken Soup Day!

Leslie J Watkins — Tue, 01 Feb 2022 20:45:23 +0000

It's a chicken soup kind of day! But, this is a chicken chile verde soup day to be exact--perfect for cold weather! Right?

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A Marvelous and Easy Beef Stew

Leslie J Watkins — Tue, 25 Jan 2022 11:00:00 +0000

This is the most marvelous and easy beef stew ever. I use the leftovers from the roast beef I shared as a base to make the best stew ever!

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A Great Roast Beef–Perfect Comfort Food

Leslie J Watkins — Fri, 21 Jan 2022 11:00:00 +0000

A perfect comfort food "pot roast" that make the best beef stew or soup from leftovers. Perfect for stretching meals and budgets!

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