Lentil and Cauliflower Biryani

This dish is fragrant without being too spicy, and it's pretty filling, though I have to admit after eating it for the fourth day in a row I'm a bit sick of it. Still, a nice recipe to have! It makes 5 serving of a cup-and-a-bit each, or four larger servings. This reheats well in the microwave.

Baked Eggs with Tomatoes and Cheese

I got the idea to bake eggs this way from the many posts about it that I've read on the blog For The Love Of Cooking, which by the way is an amazing work of art that you should definitely check out. I decided to make these specifically because I had some leftover fire-roasted diced tomatoes from the mini casseroles I made. Unfortunately I didn't quite remember the directions I'd read on how to bake eggs, so this was my attempt. It turned out pretty well, but next time I think I'll cook it 5 minutes less. I'll also drain the tomatoes.

Individual Macaroni and Cheese with Panko Topping

This macaroni was simple, yummy and comforting! The recipe makes 2 servings, so you can stick one in the fridge and have it another day.

Chicken, Rice and Tomato Mini-Casserole

I made this casserole essentially because I had nothing else in the house but wanted something simple, easy, and warm. I also happened to have these nifty 1-cup casserole dishes I bought with a Christmas-gifted gift certificate to Archambault. This recipe makes 2 casseroles: one for now and one for another day. If you cook it after keeping it in the fridge, add about another 10 minutes to the lid-on cooking time.

Cheeseburger Casserole

The other day I was really, really craving a McDonald's cheeseburger. Alas, I don't live within walking distance of one, and also I'm usually too cheap to buy fast food. So, instead, I made this casserole! If I did it again, I think I'd leave out the tomato liquid, put a bit less cheese, and maybe half the pickle. But as it was it turned out delicious! This makes one really large serving, or 2 smaller ones.

Chicken Caruso

Ah , comfort food! What makes a food comforting, you ask? Well, I think it varies from one person to another, but there are probably some common elements.

Cheese is something that comforts people, I think, especially milder cheeses. They aren't shocking. They're smooth-tasting. Cheese has protein so it makes you feel sated and a little indulgent. When cheese is warm it feels creamy. I think this feeling of smoothness is something common to many forms of comfort.

For many people, carbohydrates are comforting. They're metabolized more easily into sugars than plant foods, and they make you feel satisfied. Pasta is a common comfort food.

Bacon, of course, is deliciously high in fat. It's exactly what our primitive bodies crave, and a ready source of energy.

Many people's comfort foods are things that they ate as children. Maybe it was a special treat; maybe it was a Friday-night staple. But whatever it was, it's all tangled up with memories of being happy, and safe, and satisfied. The food taps into, or fills, a certain emotional need.

I wonder if there's ever been a study done on what qualities foods possess that make people feel comforted?

Anyway, we used to have this all the time at my house, and it falls into my category of comfort foods. It's also pretty easy to make. Go ahead and try it: you won't have regrets! (well, you might, but they won't be about the food)

Baked Cheesy Pasta With Vegetables

This pasta dish was so good! It was delicious and simple, and filling without making me feel stuffed. It's nice to have your whole meal in one dish. Plus, I really appreciated the cheese. This recipe makes 2 servings, so I'll be having leftovers.

Creamed Leeks With Parmesan Crumbs

This is Fall comfort food at its simplest. The leeks come out of the oven very hot and the topping is delicious and comforting. If you've never had leeks before, this would be a nice first-way to experience them. If you've only ever had cream of leek soup, take this as an opportunity to branch out!

Leftover-Chicken Parmesan

Have you ever had half a chicken breast left over after making chicken salad, and realized you'd rather chew off your own hand than have chicken salad yet again? Well, the hand-chewing thing may be a bit extreme, but everyone has had enough of chicken salad at some point. Anyway, make this instead! Any excuse to combine Parmesan cheese with tomato sauce is a good one.

Stovetop Casserole

Casseroles are not so much about recipes per se as they are about throwing things together. There is a lot of room for variation and invention. Having said that, this one turned out really well and is really simple to make. Cooking it on the stovetop eliminates that pesky waiting-period where it bakes in the oven. It's also less hot than a traditional casserole, so you can dig right in. Fell free to change these guidelines in whatever way you see fit.

Taco Casserole

This spicy dish is for anyone who loves the comfort of cheesy-topped casseroles straight from the oven and is also obsessed with taco meat. I have to warn you, if the shell is your favorite part of the taco this casserole probably isn't for you, since it has no shell in it whatsoever. While it's inspired by tacos, and has taco seasoning in it, I wouldn't want to serve it in a taco if I were you.