Comfort food

I love winter.  Despite the cold and the snow and the icy roads, I do - I really love winter.  I love the soups, stews and casseroles that come with winter.  I love the warmth in the kitchen from the simmering pots and the warm oven.  Until it gets too warm and I have to open the door.

I made an old favorite this weekend - German Potato Salad.  There has been some debate over which recipe is better.  There are 2 recipes in the Trinity Lutheran Church cookbook (with the yellow cover).  There is Garnet L's recipe - containing celery and eggs.  And there is Elaine A's recipe that is essentially potatoes, vinegar, sugar and bacon.  I am an Elaine A. recipe follower though, Garnet L. was an EXCELLENT cook/baker in her day - she also happens to be the Grandmother of my childhood best friend.  I think the next time I do make this (my big pot is almost gone!), I'll try the Garnet L. recipe and we'll put it to a vote.

Jeremy also did a ham on Sunday with Au Gratin potatoes and broccoli.  It was fantastic!  Spiral ham, with a honey glaze, cooked just long enough.  I am a real ham kinda girl.  Not that pressed loaf that looks like a football!  I'll be saving the bone from this one for some split pea soup in the near future.

I also looked up some recipes to use my electric skillet.  I never use that thing!  I found a ranch type potato recipe to go with chicken (that I just happen to have in my freezer!) and one for a Camper's Breakfast Skillet - how come I never think to have breakfast for dinner?  What can be better than eggs, bacon, potatoes and cheese all cooked together?

I broke my crockpot making a bean soup recipe.  It was great soup and probably not the reason my crock broke but, it's still out of commission for now.  You know, I've never been comfortable to leave something in the crockpot all day to cook when/if I'm not there.  So many times, I've had crockpot recipes take less time to cook and I wonder what would have happened had I not been home.

I am seriously thinking that we need a dog.  I wouldn't have to vacuum as often.  I wouldn't have as much food hit the floor under Jacob's chair.   I'd have something to walk to work off all of that comfort food!