Pages

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Comfort Food

What do I do when I have a week off from work in the winter? Cook comfort food! Our newest favorite is Paula Deen’s Creamy Macaroni and Cheese which I am passing to you right from the Food Network. I do not get to watch her show but I always check out her recipes and the Rave Reviews page. My family just loves this dish!

Every Saturday for the past month I’ve made it for lunch. My son came home from college for the long President’s weekend and said, “You’re making that mac and cheese, right?” It’s a slowcooker recipe but I often put the ingredients in a casserole dish and bake for 1 hr. 15 min. at 350 degrees.



Doesn't this look scrumptious?

Baking? Yes! I’ve been perusing the Sweet Treats Recipe Swap Cookbook that Karla from Karla’s Cottage and Beth from Gathering Dust put together so lovingly. There’s a recipe in here for chocolate cupcakes to die for! I emailed the author, Sam, to ask if I could share them with you and she gladly obliged. These are just what the name says: EASY!


My parents stopped for tea and loved them. My kids thought they were fantastic. I sent 4 off to a sick Aunt who thought they were luscious! Thanks, Sam, for letting me share with fellow bloggers.
I love recipes that look like you fussed quite a bit and you know you did not (but hey, no one really needs to know that when you get accolades!)

Here-try one yourself! Hee-hee! Enjoy these—we sure did!

47 comments:

amanda said...

Hi Tara!

How YUMMY!!! I am in need of some comfort food! And your cupcakes look divine!

I love your blog - I will be back often!

Thanks for stopping by!
Amanda:)

Beth Leintz said...

Ok, I'm on my way over for lunch next Sat! I LOVE homemade mac & cheese- I love the Kraft kind, too-but homemade is best- and those cupcakes look great.

Unknown said...

Tara,

These sound delicious--thanks for passing them on!

Annie

Mrs. Jones said...

I just had to stop by to tell you that your birthday sentiments on Kari and Kijsa's blog about having a family really touched me. That spun everything back in focus for me today. Thanks!

And I will be trying these recipes ... they look delicious!

~Heather

karlascottage.typepad.com said...

The cheesecake centers almost look like hearts. All look delicious. I haven't had a chance to make anything from the book yet. Now, I know I need to make these!

Nunnie's Attic said...

Hi Tara!
Thank you so much for stopping by and visiting me. This is my first trip here and what do I find??? A recipe from Paula Deen! I think I have made at least 3/4 of her recipes from each of her cookbooks. I absolutely adore her and I am forever finding myself trying one of her recipes. The slow cooker mac and cheese is fabulous. In fact, I haven't made one of recipes that my family didn't just flip over. Thanks again for visiting!!

Love,
Julie

Abbie said...

good Morning Tara!
Oh, Everything looks so wonderful! I'll have to try the mac and cheese.. it looks wonderful and there is no better comfort food! Those cupcakes look fabulous too, thank you for sharing!
hugs,
Abbie

Shannon (Faith and Chocolate) said...

OH yum, yum!! You make my mouth water! These recipes look yummy. I have Paula's recipe, but have not tried it yet. I guess I'm going to now! I'm so glad I found you from Karla's blog! I'll 'see' ya around! Hugs,
Shannon

kari and kijsa said...

Tara...

Those look absolutely delicious...thank you again for your wonderful sweet (and such a blessing) comment this morning!

smiles, kari & kijsa

Ele at abitofpinkheaven said...

Don't they look yummy! I could use one of those right now!

Janet said...

Tara,
You are making me hungry and unfortunately my love for comfort food is beginning to show, big time!

Janet

kelly said...

seriously yummy! we are having a sick week here so mac n cheese sounds especially good! take care...

Anonymous said...

Looks delicous!

Jessi Nagy said...

yummy!
that mac & cheese looks fabulous!!
those cuppies look great too!
they look like they have cream cheese hearts on them,
i will have to try this one.
oxoxo,
jessi

Sandi McBride said...

Hmmm...Mac and Cheese...southern gals really know how to make it...that's why our cholesterol is so high, lol...the cupcakes...wow...when is lunch ready? I'm packing my bag now
Sandi

The Feathered Nest said...

Oh Tara....these cuppycakes DO look so delicious!!! I'll have to try that little recipe, and how easy!! Thank you for dropping by to see my little store, I really appreciate it ~ I hope you're having a great Wednesday. I love all your children's artwork too, what a great idea!! xxoo, Dawn

Sandra Evertson said...

Oh my gosh, I'm drooling!
Sandra Evertson

Renee said...

That mac and cheese does look creamy under that crumb topping. I will have to click over and make this.

My dh is a mac and cheese kind of guy the creamier the better. His tastes are pretty basic- meat and mac and cheese, or meat and mashed potatoes, gravy and corn and he's a true camper for the night.
Have a great rest of the day!

Renee

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Hi Tara
This is my first time visiting your blog, and I enjoyed it very much!
I loved the birthday greeting you left for Karla this morning -- it was very touching and true.
Glad to have met you!

Mary said...

Wow, both those dishes look FANTASTIC!!! I think I gained five lbs. just reading aabout them. :) thanks for sharing!
xoxo,
Mary

Laura said...

My favorite foods and a peek at your lovely house and childrens art. What a great read your blog is.

Unknown said...

That mac and cheese looks wonderful. There is nothing like good old comfort food. Those cupcakes look yummy too. Thanks for the recipe. Doesn't it make you feel extra good when you can give your college son some good old fashioned cooking? Thanks again for the cooking inspiration. Karen

blah said...

Oh yum! these look delicious!!! that receipe is so cute on the postcard - or is a book with a postcard image in it!?

Anonymous said...

I love Paula and anything she cooks. Her Mac and cheese is great. The cup cakes look awsome.

Kissing of the Frogs said...

Tara,
Hello...trying to lose some weight here....haaa, those look SCRUMPTUOUS...I must try this recipe this weekend. I'll report back! Thank you so much for sharing.
Hugs,
Rose

Cottage Contessa said...

Oh. My. Goodness. Gracious. Me! From the bottom of my heart, and the tip of my tummy.......thank you for sharing these Tara!
Amanda (aka Cottage Contessa)

Alicia ~ Time Worn Style said...

Oooooh stop tempting me I'm on a diet oh yum yuuuum. I'm hungry lol!
Alicia ~ time worn style

Unknown said...

very dangereous for me to be near these food...i'll eat non stop :)

Anonymous said...

Yummy...really mouth-watering!

Tracy said...

Oh, Tara...you're killing me here with all these goodies! ;o) Mac & cheese and chocy cupcakes...de-lish, perfect weekend food. Thanks for sharing. ((HUGS))

Manuela@A Cultivated Nest said...

Love that cupcake recipe - they look so pretty and it's such an easy one. Love Paul Deen, I watch her show when I can - it's just that she doesn't know the words "low fat"! Have you seen her mag?

Manuela

Anonymous said...

Just have fun with it honey.That is what matters and don't over do it and get aggrivated. when you see it all start to come together you will get excited.

Anonymous said...

Ahh, nothing like comfort food. Mine is a double pack of jumbo reeses peanutbutter cups. :) Hope you are having a lovely week. Thank you for your kind words about my poetry.
Alexandra

oliver rain said...

Oooh. I've got a box of cake mix in the cupboard and I know just what I'm doing to do with it! We love mac & cheese at our house too. So easy and so comforting.

Melissa @ The Inspired Room said...

Hi Tara! That food looks DELISH! Yum. And those cupcakes are my favorites, we used to call them Black Bottom Cupcakes! Yummy!

Happy day,
Melissa

Thirkellgirl said...

I lost that cupcake recipe and haven't made it in years and years! I'm going to stop and buy a chocolate cake mix on the way home this afternoon so I can make them during our ice storm tomorrow. :) And I love crockpot recipes. I never can watch Paula Drawlin'-Deen for more than a couple minutes at a time so I'm glad you linked that recipe!

kari and kijsa said...

Tara,

You won...you are the winner...we posted today! Thank you again for all of your wisdom...

Have a blessed and wonderful day!

smiles, kari & kijsa

bj said...

I will be trying these recipes...they sound sooo good.
And, you are probably right that yellow at the back of my bookshelves would be the way to go but I am so lazy...and not that neat..Now,,....I might try painting cardboard slip-ins and see how hard that would be...I'll let you know if I decide to do it. And, thanks so much for the tip.
hugs, bj

Anonymous said...

Wow, All of this looks so yummy. I love comfort food.
Congrats on winning Kari's birthday prize.
We all as mothers and wives strive for happiness in our children and our home. It is probably one of if not the hardest job anyone could have. I hope to one day be fourty and have such happiness in my heart as you do.

Blanca

Siobhan said...

HI Tara, Your Macaroni and Cheese looks...well...YUMMY and those cocolate cupcakes DOUBLE YUMMY! :)

Siobhan xoxo

Anonymous said...

Congrats on winning over at Kari's....I just had to pop in and tell you how powerful I thought your piece was...Bravo !!!

Nice to meet you,
Kathy :)
jokaj@comcast.net

***my daughter loves mac & cheese..will definitely be making that :)

Unknown said...

Oh my gosh that all looks yummy! Mind if I pop over? Got any leftovers? Ha!
Thanks for coming by my blog! It was so nice to meet you and discover your lovely blog!
Many Happy Returns,
jerusalem

blessings said...

Ooooo... I haven't tried that Mac & Cheese recipe. Though I did make a yummy mistake today. Turned out to be some kind of pecan scone. Totally a mistake! =) Blessings... Polly

Anonymous said...

H1 Tara, these look absolutely scrumptious! We love baking too. And we loved your comment for Kari's Birthday! Thank you for visiting our blog and your lovely comments Tara. And we love your blog banner, a beutiful place :) Jenn and Jacqui

Anonymous said...

Hi Tara, This is too funny. I found my main course for supper tonite over at WhistleStop Cafe and your comfort food mac' n cheese will be my side dish. Okay now...I am off to the kitchen to get started. Have a great weekend. ~ Lynn

pve design said...

Mac & Cheese motivates me anytime!
Comforting and tasty!
My family will love this! We love Paula - and "buttah"
Thanks for the yummy -mouth-watering post!
Congrats on winning that gorgeous pear painting!
Lucky you!

theUngourmet said...

Those cupcakes look really yummy! I also love the recipe postcard.