The End of Winter Comfort Foods

Zucchini Goat Cheese Pizza

-Whole grain pizza dough (can be found in the deli or bakery)

-Zucchini (cut in slices)

-organic tomatoes

-low-fat cream cheese

-goat cheese or chevre'

-basil

Directions: Roll out dough and flatten (you may need to let the dough rest before you do this). Cook dough at 350 degrees (or according to your directions) until just golden brown. Mix together the cheeses with basil and spread over cooked dough. Place remaining ingredients and bake for 400 degrees until hot and bubbly.

Chicken or Veggie Pot Pie

-Ready-made (rolled) pie crust

-frozen peas and carrots

-organic chicken (*optional)

-egg white or milk

-small pie pans or one large one

-chicken broth

-flour or corn starch

Directions: boil chicken in water and spices of your choice (I use garlic and thyme) or put chicken and broth in crock pot. Once chicken is cooked, drain. Add enough chick broth/stock to make a thick soup, add veggies. Add flour or corn starch to thicken. Assemble pie shells by pressing into pie pans. Pour chicken/veggie mixture (be sure its as thick as stew) into the pie shell. Take remaining pie shell and cover and flute edges. Brush egg white or milk on the pie shell to encourage browning. Bake in oven at 350 until golden brown.

Comfort Sandwiches!

You can make any sandwich into a 'comfort', put-on-your-slippers sandwich. This is done by simply grilling both sides. You can achieve this by brushing both sides with butter. Two of my favorites:

Turkey Au Jus

-Turkey

-swiss cheese

-white onion

Directions: Cook onions in beef stock/broth until tender. Add turkey or meat of your choice. Place meat mixture aside (or one your prepared bread). Heat up the broth and start adding flour/corn starch until it thickens a bit--but not too much, you're not making gravy (keep it a darker brown color). Set aside for dip. Assemble sandwich with veggies and cheese and grill both sides. Dip sandwich with every bite. Viola!

Turkey Apple Brie

There is something so comforting about turkey! It must be that thanksgiving day fullness we feel. Here is how to recapture that day in a twist:

-turkey

-brie

-thin sliced granny smith apples

Directions: assemble sandwich and grill both sides.

Turkey Meatballs and/or Meatless Meatballs, with spaghetti!

1 lb ground meat or Bocca Burger

3/4 cup bread crumbs or 3 slices of toasted bread

1/2 cup onion finely chopped (I used dried onion)

2 Tbsp Basil

1 tbsp ground thyme

1 tsp black pepper

1 Tbsp Sea Salt

I egg

Olive Oil

Garlic Powder

spaghetti

Red pasta sauce

Directions: Mix all ingredients together to form your meatballs (or meatless meatballs). Coat balls in oil or pour olive oil on the bottom of a oven safe dish. Bake in oven at 375 (flipping once) until golden brown. Serve hot with spaghetti and red sauce.