The Best Comfort Foods for Surviving Tough Times

When living through an audit, a major life change such as a move or job change, or just when we need some extra help - making foods that symbolize comfort and self-appreciation can help like nothing else!

Some of my favorites include my family Tuna Casserole, Chili with Cornbread, any kind of baked pasta, pizza, and the ever so humble meatloaf. Runners up include Spaghetti and Meatballs, Rocky Road ice cream, tacos, and good old fashioned chicken soup!

My family's Tuna Casserole is ever so easy to make. We start with a Bowtie or Shell pasta, with Barilla being our favorite. We make it just so it is al dente, then put it in a casserole undrained with 2 cans of tuna, one can of cream of chicken soup, one can of cream of mushroom soup, 1/2 can of peas, two splashes of Worchestershire sauce, one teaspoon of thyme, one teaspoon of Lawries Seasoned Salt, 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper, and one splash of hot pepper sauce. We top it with a mixture of Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoned bread crumbs dotted with butter, and bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Everyone in the family loves this one!

My chili varies based on what I have available. Usually, I cook 2 pounds of ground beef together with taco seasoning mix, and use a separate larger pan to cook 1 small onion in olive oil along with 2 garlic cloves. Next, I combine the meat with the browned onion garlic mixture in the big pan, and add in two cans of kidney or chili beans, 2 tablespoons of chili powder, two teaspoons of Lawries Seasoned Salt, one splash of hot pepper sauce, two cans of beef broth, 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper, one can of corn, and one large can of diced tomatoes. Of course, if you have fresh tomatoes this is even better - just run them through the Cuisinart and add them to the pan. Cook this down over the course of a day, adding water or beef broth when necessary and serve over rice or noodles. Serving this over cornbread is even better - and there are many cornbread mixes available to simplify this part of the meal. Freshly grated cheddar cheese over the top of each serving also adds to its comfort value!

Baked pastas are a major source of comfort - if you don't have time to make one from scratch there is always Stouffer's Lasagne, carried by all major grocery stores. Baked rigatoni is easy to make, and many recipe sites offer easy to make versions of this classic. Here is a great variation on this theme, with the addition of sausage and mushrooms.

The ever so humble meatloaf is easy to make, goes well with mashed potatoes, and has many variations in case you are sick of the usual. For example, try this Crusty Mustard Dill Meatloaf from Epicurious. Or, if you are watching your weight, try a Turkey Meatloaf, which offers the same comfort factor with much lower calories.

No matter what the diet mongers tell us, food is psychologically satisfying. And a whole lot cheaper than a shrink!