Tag: #ComfortFood

Posted in #Recipes

Chocolate Lava Cookies

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Are you or someone you know an unapologetic chocolate lover? If so, then these chocolate lava cookies are sure to please. Just like our favorite chocolate lava cake, these cookies are a decadently rich and fudgy dessert that has a surprise inside: a river of luxurious, warm dark chocolate ganache. They’re just as satisfying as their cake counterpart, but because they’re handheld, they’re easier to eat—and, therefore, they’re that much harder to resist.

If you’ve never made a stuffed cookie before, this chocolate cookie recipe is a great place to start. You begin by making a simple homemade chocolate ganache that’s partially frozen and shaped into balls. Then, you wrap the tender chocolate cookie dough around the ganache balls. After baking, the final cookies are supremely moist and indulgent with a puddle of molten chocolate waiting to escape inside. These molten chocolate lava cookies will quickly top your list of favorite chocolate desserts.

Ingredients for Chocolate Lava Cookies

  • Cocoa powder: Cocoa powder flavors the cookie dough with an intense chocolate flavor. Adding a small amount to the ganache thickens the mixture and gives it some body.
  • Heavy cream: Heavy cream helps ensure the chocolate ganache does not set completely solid at room temperature but remains soft and fudgy.
  • Dark chocolate: Since the chocolate cookie dough is rather sweet, using dark chocolate for the molten lava center offers a nice balance. For a sweeter taste, consider using semisweet chocolate.
  • Unsalted butter: Butter adds flavor, richness and moisture to the cookie dough. A small amount is also added to the fudge filling to give the “lava” a silkier, richer consistency.
  • Granulated sugar: Granulated sugar adds moisture and contributes to the cookies’ moist and chewy texture.
  • Eggs: Eggs provide structure and stability to a cookie as it bakes. Adding an extra egg yolk to the recipe incorporates additional fat, which helps keep these cookies extra soft and tender.
  • Vanilla extract: Even though chocolate is the dominant flavor in these cookies, using a high-quality brand of vanilla helps give the cookies excellent added depth and complexity.
  • All-purpose flour: When making cookies, make sure you’re measuring your flour accurately. Using too much or not enough flour can drastically change the taste, texture and consistency of the baked cookies.
  • Espresso powder: Espresso powder is the secret to better chocolate desserts. Adding a small amount of espresso powder amplifies the flavor of the chocolate.
  • Baking soda: Baking soda acts as a leavener, keeping the cookies light and airy.
  • Salt: A few pinches of salt help balance the sweetness and enhance the flavors of the cookies.
  • Confectioners’ sugar: A light dusting of confectioners’ sugar is the perfect sweet finish to these molten chocolate lava cookies.

Taste of Home

Posted in #Recipes

Your February Meal Plan

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

February is a short month filled with cozy nights and even cozier dinners. As winter is in full swing, comforting meals remain at the forefront of everyone’s mind.

With this lineup, we’re offering a spread of quick dinners that are pleasing to both kids and adults. Some of these recipes, like our asparagus-stuffed chicken, are made for special occasion nights, while others are made for a simple night-in, like our honey chicken stir-fry. No matter the type of night you’re having or who you’re spending it with, we hope it’s with quality recipes that highlight the fresh produce and flavors of February.

Taste of Home

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Slow-Cooker Pizza Pasta

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

If you’ve got a household of pizza and pasta lovers, this slow-cooker pizza pasta recipe is the perfect mashup of everyone’s favorite foods. This easy, kid-friendly dinner is loaded with tender egg noodles, hearty meat sauce, zippy pepperoni and, of course, plenty of ooey-gooey cheese. Simply boil a package of noodles and brown the ground meat and veggies on the stovetop. Then, layer everything in the slow cooker and let it work its magic for the few hours leading up to dinnertime.

Ingredients for Slow-Cooker Pizza Pasta

  • Noodles: Tender egg noodles hold up beautifully in the slow cooker without getting mushy. You can use another pasta shape, like rotini or penne, but be sure to slightly undercook them so they finish cooking in the slow cooker.
  • Ground meat: Use ground beef for rich, meaty flavor, or opt for ground turkey if you prefer a leaner option. You could also use bulk Italian sausage for added savoriness.
  • Veggies: Saute chopped green bell pepper and onion with the meat for added texture and aromatics. This recipe also calls for jarred mushrooms, but you can use fresh sliced mushrooms for a meatier texture and fresher flavor.
  • Spaghetti sauce: Classic red sauce adds tanginess and keeps the meat and pasta tender. Use homemade spaghetti sauce to control the seasoning or your favorite store-bought sauce for convenience.
  • Italian seasoning: This blend of dried herbs adds depth and a fragrant aroma.
  • Pepperoni: Zesty pepperoni brings a salty, slightly spicy kick and fun pizza-inspired flavor to the dish. Cut each slice in half for even layering and easier mouthfuls.
  • Shredded cheese: A mix of shredded cheddar and mozzarella creates plenty of ooey-gooey meltiness throughout the dish with both sharp and mild flavors. Feel free to use other melting cheeses, like provolone or Monterey Jack.

Taste of Home

Posted in #Recipes

Popcorn Chicken

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Popcorn chicken is one of those dishes that I simply cannot resist. The bite-sized morsels of chicken are crispy on the outside. They are juicy on the inside. Since they’re boneless, they’re super easy to pop into your mouth. Like picnic-style buttermilk fried chicken, these tiny fried chicken bites are soaked in buttermilk. Then, they are dredged in flour and fried. They’re a perfect game day snack or potluck recipe. They also happen to make a great family meal when served with some sauces and your favorite sides. Your kids will love how savory and bite-sized they are, and you’ll love how easy they are to make.

Popcorn Chicken vs. Chicken Nuggets

While these fried chicken bites are similar, there are some key differences between popcorn chicken and chicken nuggets. Chicken nuggets are made of ground chicken bound into uniform pieces. On the flip side, popcorn chicken uses boneless chicken breasts cut into large chunks and marinated in buttermilk before being fried. The fry coating on each piece of popcorn chicken is a little different, which is part of what makes them so tasty, and they tend to have a thicker coating than chicken nuggets. The most famous nuggets are probably the McDonald’s chicken nuggets, and popcorn chicken originally comes from KFC.

Ingredients for Popcorn Chicken

  • Chicken breast: Use boneless skinless chicken breasts cut up into 1-inch cubes.
  • Buttermilk: Buttermilk tenderizes the chicken, imparts a tangy, delicious flavor, and keeps it moist, so you don’t have to worry about dried-out chicken. If you don’t have it on hand, you can always make buttermilk from scratch.
  • All-purpose flour: Seasoned all-purpose flour gives the chicken a delicious crispy coating. You can use gluten-free flour for gluten-free popcorn chicken.
  • Seasonings: Salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika and cayenne pepper make the dredge super flavorful.
  • Oil: The best oils for frying are neutral in flavor and can stand up to high heat, like canola or grapeseed oils.

Taste of Home

Posted in #Recipes

60 Best Valentine’s Day Desserts

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

I can’t help it: I love Valentine’s Day. (No, not because my name is in the holiday!) It’s the perfect time to tell someone—platonically or romantically—how much they mean to you. Showing love looks a little different to everyone, but for me, it means baking Valentine’s Day desserts. The fastest way to someone’s heart is through their stomach, right? That’s what all those Marry Me recipes are for!

If you’re also the “cooking is my love language” type, here are the perfect Valentine’s Day desserts for the holiday. Of course, there’s no shortage of chocolate desserts, like truffles and confections, mousses, cookies and chocolate lava cake. But there are also other romantic desserts, such as white chocolate raspberry cake, red velvet cookies, cheesecake-stuffed strawberries, decadently layered trifles and heart-shaped desserts galore. Many of these can feed a crowd (perfect for a Galentine’s Day party!), but more are desserts for two.

Whether you’ve booked a table or you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day at home, end your romantic dinner with one of these sweet desserts. (By the way, anyone manifesting for something special to happen should try Ina Garten’s engagement chicken—it worked for Meghan Markle and Emily Blunt!)

Taste of Home

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Corn Dog Casserole

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

A fun twist on the iconic state fair corn dog, this easy corn dog casserole is in and out of the oven in 30 minutes. Best of all, there’s no waiting in line.

A corn dog casserole is a homey way to mimic the flavor of that favorite fair food on a stick, without the fuss. The key ingredients are the same: hot dogs and a cornbread batter. Our corn dog casserole recipe includes a few more ingredients and skips the deep frying (and the stick) to create a family-friendly fare for casual mealtimes. Pair it with a side of roasted carrots and pop them in the oven at the same time.

This dish is also quick to disappear at potlucks. It’s hard to resist the cheesy, fluffy cornbread chunks of juicy hotdogs. Although we love the traditional flavor of all-beef hot dogs, feel free to use your favorite frank or sausage.

Corn Dog Casserole Ingredients

Corn Dog Casserole ingredients: Hot Dog, Milk, Cheese, Green Onion, Eggs, Pepper, Butter
Nicole Perry for Taste of Home
  • Butter: It does indeed make everything better. This recipe calls for it to be melted to saute the vegetables, adding a rich flavor.
  • Celery and green onions: The combination, gently cooked in butter until tender, adds a foundation of earthy flavor.
  • Hot dogs: For the best corn dog flavor, go for a high-quality beef hot dog.
  • Eggs: Not only do eggs help the batter rise, but they provide structure to keep the baked cornbread from crumbling to pieces.
  • Milk: The liquid adds moisture to create a thick and fluffy batter. We like 2% milk in this recipe, but nut milk works well, too.
  • Seasonings: Sage and pepper add boosts of savory flavors.
  • Cornbread/muffin mix: A corn dog casserole doesn’t taste the same without it! Cornbread/muffin mix is typically made with yellow cornmeal and is an easy-prep base for the batter.
  • Shredded sharp cheddar cheese: If you have a few extra minutes, grate your cheese. Packaged shredded cheese typically contains preservatives that make it a bit more difficult to melt.

Taste of Home

Posted in #Recipes

White Pizza Dip

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

I think we can all agree that a hot, cheesy pizza is the ultimate party food. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday or gathering around the TV for a big game, nothing beats a fresh slice—except maybe some ooey-gooey pizza-inspired snacks.

This white pizza dip is the perfect shareable appetizer. It’s creamy, loaded with melty mozzarella, and bursting with all the garlic and herby flavor of a sauceless pizza. It comes together in just a few simple steps, and there’s no dough rolling required. Serve it with crispy toasted baguette slices or fresh veggies for a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

White Pizza Dip Ingredients

A baking tray with toasted baguette slices sits on a counter next to bowls containing diced pepperoni, shredded cheese, cream cheese, and sour cream. A red-striped towel and a small bowl of dried herbs are also visible.
Taste of Home
  • Sour cream: Tangy sour cream gives the dip a silky, spoonable texture. Full-fat sour cream works best, but reduced-fat can be used if needed—just expect a slightly looser dip.
  • Ricotta cheese: Mild, milky ricotta adds body and balances the tang of the sour cream. Whole-milk ricotta is our choice for an extra-rich pizza-like dip, but you can use part-skim for a lighter version. If your ricotta is a little watery, drain it first in a fine-mesh sieve before mixing it with the sour cream.
  • Mozzarella cheese: Shredded mozzarella melts in the oven, giving the dip its classic pizza-style stretch and gooey finish.
  • Pepperoni: Use your favorite variety to add savory, meaty bites throughout the dip—regular, spicy and turkey pepperoni all work well here. Chop the slices finely for even distribution, or use mini pepperoni for a shortcut.
  • Soup mix: This recipe calls for a packet of Lipton Savory Herb with Garlic soup mix. It’s a convenient all-in-one seasoning option that includes dried herbs, garlic and onion with no measuring required. If you can’t find it, you can experiment with other varieties or substitute a blend of Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper to taste.
  • Baguette: Slice and toast a fresh baguette to create crisp, sturdy dippers for scooping up the warm, cheesy dip. Crackers, crostini, crunchy breadsticks and raw veggies are also great options.

Taste of Home

Posted in #Recipes

French Onion Beans

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

f I had to pick a desert-island food, I would choose beans without a moment’s hesitation (and hopefully remember to bring a can opener). With their plant-based protein and fiber coupled with their unmatched versatility, there isn’t much that beans can’t do. This recipe is one of my favorite bean-y mash-ups. It features all the cozy, melty, cheesy flavors of a classic French onion soup, made even heartier with the inclusion of soft, plump butter beans. Meet: French onion beans.

You may know butter beans as lima beans, but by any name they’re creamy, buttery, and the perfect blank canvas for bold French onion flavors. Here, they pair perfectly with caramelized onions before getting blanketed by crusty chunks of bread (technically optional, but the bread adds a lovely crunchy texture) and a shower of nutty Gruyère cheese.

Why You’ll Love It

  • It’s got that classic, well-loved flavor. The same savory, slow-cooked flavors you love in French onion soup shine through in this comforting dish.
  • Equally great as a main or a side dish. Paired with a simple green salad, this is a hearty, filling meal. Or it can be the back-up singer to a roasted chicken or pork chops (although, like all great back-up singers, it will likely steal the show).
Baked dish in a cast iron skillet with toasted bread, melted cheese, and white beans, garnished with parsley.
Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Styling: Rachel Perlmutter

Key Ingredients in French Onion Beans

  • Yellow onions: Caramelized until they’re golden-brown, sweet yellow onions provide the signature French onion flavor in this dish.
  • Crusty bread (optional): In combination with the melted Gruyère, hunks of bread from a rustic sourdough loaf or baguette provide that quintessential French onion soup topping.
  • White wine: A splash gives this dish depth by balancing acidity and sweetness.
  • Beef or vegetable broth: Beef broth will deliver the savory umami flavors of a typical French onion soup, but don’t underestimate a good vegetable broth, which can easily make the dish vegetarian.
  • Butter beans: The backbone of the dish, providing the necessary heft and heartiness to make this a satisfying dish.
  • Sherry vinegar: Just a small amount will brighten the other ingredients here, adding a dynamic element that keeps you coming back for more.

The Kitch’n

Posted in #Recipes

39 Easy Three-Ingredient Desserts for Sharing

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

I’ve always had a sweet tooth and love to end meals with a little treat. A square of dark chocolate or a scoop of ice cream usually does the trick, but making something from scratch is extra-satisfying. On those nights when even quick and easy baking recipes are out of reach, I turn to easy three-ingredient desserts. You’d be surprised what you can do with just a few simple pantry-friendly ingredients. From frozen treats to chocolaty fudge, there is a recipe here for every craving.

Each recipe in this collection has three ingredients or fewer, excluding water, salt, small amounts of oil and optional garnishes. These simple three-ingredient treats rely on clever shortcuts, like boxed cake or brownie mixes, and ingredients with bold flavors, like peanut butter and chocolate, to create something delicious. Some are as easy as melting and mixing a few ingredients together, but if you are in the mood to bake, there are a few classic cookie recipes, including one of my favorites: buttery shortbread.

Many of these quick three-ingredient sweets recipes adapt easily to dietary needs, so you can use dairy-free chocolate chips or gluten-free flour blends without missing a beat. These easy dessert ideas are perfect for taking to potlucks and parties, or when you make last-minute plans and don’t have time to run to the bakery. Whether you choose a frozen fruit-based dessert or a decadent chocolate truffle, you are only three ingredients away from your next sweet treat.

Posted in #Recipes

Slow Cooker Hamburger Helper

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

few years ago, practically everything I made came from the air fryer, and before that, the Instant Pot was our dinnertime hero. But if I had to choose a countertop kitchen appliance that has stood the test of time, there’s no doubt I’d pick my slow cooker. I’ve relied on my slow cookers (I own three of them and have no plans to pare them down) more often in some years than others. This year is already shaping up to be a banner year for my slow cookers, thanks in part to my version of Hamburger Helper. 

Growing up, we ate boxed meals of pasta, cheese, seasonings, and ground beef so often that it’s one of my go-to comfort meals. Just one bite of this slow cooker version of Hamburger Helper brings me right back to the kitchen table of my childhood. Every bite is packed with savory ground beef, tender pasta, and a cheesy tomato sauce. It’s delicious, filling, and even easier than the boxed version thanks to the slow cooker.  

Why You’ll Love It

  • Tastes even better than the casserole you grew up with. This dinner is much more delicious than any convenience casserole thanks to ground beef, a cheesy tomato sauce, and tender pasta.
  • It’s so flexible. This is one slow cooker recipe that works with your schedule, no matter what that schedule is. The bulk of the time is spent softening the peppers and marrying the flavors of the meat and tomato sauce, so you can cook it from as little as 2 hours on HIGH or 6 hours on LOW, adding the noodles during the final 30 minutes. 
Creamy beef and macaroni dish in a bowl, garnished with parsley and served with a spoon.
Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Styling: Anna Billingskog

Key Ingredients in Slow Cooker Hamburger Helper

  • Ground beef: Cook and brown ground beef while breaking it up into hearty crumbles before adding it to the slow cooker. Make sure to drain off any excess rendered fat. 
  • Cottage cheese: Cottage cheese adds creamy texture and a protein boost to this retro dinner. The curds mostly melt away during the cooking process, but for a guaranteed smooth sauce, blend the cottage cheese and tomato sauce together in a food processor or blender first. 
  • Tomato sauce: Canned tomato sauce is a budget-friendly way to add easy tomato flavor.
  • Beef broth: One can of low-sodium beef broth adds enough moisture so that the elbow macaroni can cook right in the slow cooker.
  • Elbow macaroni: Add 6 ounces elbow macaroni 30 minutes before serving so it can cook right in the sauce.
  • Cheddar cheese: Shred sharp cheddar cheese on the large holes of a box grater, or save yourself a step and buy a bag of pre-shredded cheese.

The Kitch’n