Crockpot Comfort Foods

It has finally happened!  The temperatures are beginning to feel nice and fall-ish at last.  And I personally couldn't be happier.

One of my favorite things about cooler weather is indulging in some warm, yummy comfort foods. Especially soups, chili, and stews.  However, because I can be a tiny bit lazy - nothing takes the "comfort" out of "comfort foods" like having to spend half the afternoon doing a lot of prepping, mixing, and cooking.

Enter the crockpot.  Best.  Invention.  Ever.

A couple of years ago I shared five of my favorite crockpot recipes.  This seems like the perfect opportunity to revisit that post:

Five Great Crockpot Recipes for Cold Weather

I am all about cooking in the crock pot.  It prevents having to turn on the oven and heat the kitchen up during the summer months.  And it's perfect for making delicious soups, chili, and stews which give the house a warm, cozy "homey" smell and feel during the colder months of the year.

Over time I have found a few big winners which my family has approved - giving them a permanent place in my recipe folder. (and yes... a few failed experiments - but that's not what this post is about)

1)  Cockpot Gumbo
Spicy, warm, and de-li-cious!  I used to make gumbo on the stove top.  But I finally came up with a version for the crock pot.  Just as yummy - and super easy to toss together.

2)  Creamy White Chicken Chili
The family loves a good chili.  (in fact, this is the first of two which made it to this list!)  This recipe from Lovely Little Kitchen is a delightful change from the typical tomato based chili.

3)  Tomato Basil Parmesan Soup
Several members of my family have voted this recipe from Creme de la Crumb "The best soup I have ever eaten".  Seriously... it's just that good. Even the pickiest eater in the house keeps requesting it!

4)  My Basic Chili
 This recipe is written for stove top preparation.  But once the meat is browned, all the ingredients can be tossed in the crock pot and left on low for a minimum of 4 hours.  You'll have a warm and yummy chili waiting for you at the end of a long, cold day.

5)  Roasted Chicken Dinner
I love a good chicken dinner as much as anyone.  But it always just seemed like so much work to make a whole roast chicken.  Not so!  Especially if the crock pot is doing most of the work for you!

What are some if your favorite crockpot recipes?

(Access recipes by clicking the name!)

The Comforting Art of Brinner

Brinner...  Mm mm....  Just thinking about it makes me smile.

What's that? Did someone just ask "What's brinner?"  Brinner = Breakfast for Dinner.  It's one of lives little pleasures.  All the yummy goodness of breakfast; without that whole annoying having-to-get-up-early thing!

I personally love brinner.  I say this, as if I have ever met anyone who doesn't like brinner.  I can honestly say I've never met a single person who said "Oh, I don't really like to eat breakfast food for dinner".  And thinking about it - I can't imagine what would ever possess someone to defy the comforting tastiness of brinner.  Unless, maybe, they just don't like breakfast food in general.

What is it about mixing up the meals?  What exactly is so comforting about having an evening meal of bacon, eggs and biscuits?  Or maybe a stack of pancakes and bacon.  (Or pretty much anything with bacon.  Bacon is enough salty deliciousness to dedicate an entire post of praise for it alone!)  Whatever it is, it works!  

I feel confident I can turn around the entire mood of my household just by dragging out the electric griddle and starting the bacon while whipping up some pancake batter!  Those frowns turn upside down.  Even the dog gets in on the act.  He sees that griddle on the counter and refuses to leave the kitchen, knowing something good is about to happen.  (I probably created this particular monster by making him his own little pancake each time) 

Can one have too much brinner?   Is there actually a point where it becomes too much of a good thing?  Possibly.  But I  haven't found that line and crossed it yet.  I admit to fixing brinner about once every week to 10 days.  Yep, I like it just that much!

We had brinner just last night.  And I'm already thinking about the next time I'll fix it!