Comfort Foods and Indulgences

Hey everyone...another great party trio.  This is really fun to serve all of them, at once.  Each one has a unique flavor and all are top notch flavors.  I have to admit my favorite was the Buffalo Wing, it's also the spiciest.

I served these with plain Kettle Style chips, they were the perfect vehicle for delivering the yumminess. And by incorporating your favorite fatty foods in hummus, there is no reason to deprive yourself (2 Tablespoons average about 40 calories). I love it.

Apparently there is a restaurant in Baltimore (The Desert Cafe) that has a rotating menu of a 175 versions of hummus...even sushi and banana-split flavors.  They even ship their hummus nationwide.

Here are three of their recipes they shared with Food Network....they are must trys...

Across the country, the not-so-hot-economy is adding appeal to cooking at home. But, I’m not talking about staying home to make your favorite macaroni and cheese. People who have grown accustomed to dining out still want to eat in style.

The interest of cooking at home has also been heightened by attention given to reality cooking shows and the explosion of celebrity chefs on the television and entertainment scene. With such a hunger for eating and entertaining in our own dining rooms, I feel there is a need for ideas on how to eat better at home for less. In other words, a little, “gastronomy for the economy” is in order.

When I patronize a fancy restaurant, I love to indulge a bit and order steak and lobster. However, making quality steak and lobster at home can be pricey. In order to satisfy my urge for this type of meal, I’ve put together a Surf and Turf Sizzle that is easy to prepare and won’t put a dent in your pocketbook. 

The first article I ever wrote for One for the Table was about how I came to love IHOP as a child, abandoned it as I got older, and rediscovered it much later. I’m still bereft that they took my beloved corn meal pancakes off the menu a few years ago, but when I got an email recently about their All-You-Can-Eat-Pancakes promotion from January 2nd to February 9th, I headed over to that iconic blue roof in Encino.

I did not intend to eat all I could, nor even the 10 pancakes required to compete in the Player Standings. Thankfully, that means that I will not be eligible to win free pancakes for a year. So rather than ordering the buttermilk pancakes required for having my plate refilled again and again, I decided to try two meals I’d never had before. (I ate less than half of each…honest.) First, I ordered the strawberry-banana pancakes, which were spoiled by the goopy, faux strawberry-flavor glaze. Then I got a Belgian waffle, which was perfect - crispy, light and delicious.

If the 39 days of the All-You-Can-Eat-Pancakes season aren’t enough to keep you satisfied, this year IHOP has upped the ante by introducing the first IHOP Pancake Bowl, in which the top 10 high-scorers in the Player Standings from each participating region will compete locally during Super Bowl weekend to see who can eat the most pancakes. He who wins (could a “she” possibly win?) will get a $500 IHOP gift card.

When I think of a special, winter meal, I think of Beef Bourguignonne. Don't let the French name scare you, it's simply beef stew. It is the epitome of French comfort food and it is classically made with Pinot Noir wine. And what could be more satisfying than something steaming and rich? I have tried many versions and have come to settle on this particular recipe.

I especially like to make it the day before and let it sit over night for the flavors to meld, as well as being able to skim the fat that will accumulate on the top.  This works out perfectly for this upcoming Valentine's Day. 

My best results have come when I cut a chuck pot roast into small pieces.  Grocery store stew meat is not the same.  I also include a beef knuckle soup bone which gives an incredible smoothness to the sauce.  You are going to love this recipe!