Category: From My Kitchen

Posted in #allrecipes

Discover Comfort Foods from the Past

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

When searching for dinner inspiration, it’s easy to always look for what’s new and now. However, sometimes it’s worth looking to the past. Trending recipes have a time and place. However, nothing scratches the comfort food itch like the dishes you grew up with. Whether that was in the ‘50s, ‘60s, ‘70s, ‘80s, or beyond.

It’s not uncommon for retro recipes to have some pretty out-there names. From Frog Eye Salad to Broken Glass Cake, these titles often sound strange. They even seem inedible. But don’t fear—their names typically nod to the recipe’s unconventional appearance. That’s certainly the case for Porcupine Meatballs, a beloved retro recipe we’d argue is long overdue for a comeback.

What Are Porcupine Meatballs?

Porcupine Meatballs contain no actual porcupine or any other exotic game — their name hails from their spiky appearance. Unlike other meatballs, this recipe adds rice instead of breadcrumbs or another binding agent. When the ground beef-rice mixture cooks, the grains of rice absorb liquid. They become plump and pronounced. The grains stick out of the meatballs like a porcupine’s quills.

Otherwise, they are a standard beef—yes, just beef—meatball recipe that gets cooked in a seasoned tomato sauce. Some porcupine meatball recipes call for simmering them in tomato soup. This is certainly a shortcut option available to you, too. For many, the version cooked in tomato soup tastes like home. However, our top-rated recipe for Porcupine Meatballs ditches the soup can for a homemade tomato sauce. It tastes even better, and many reviewers agree.

meatballs cooked in a tomato broth until rice is tender.
Qi Ai/Allrecipes

“Like others, my mom also used tomato soup. However, using tomato sauce instead really makes a difference,” writes home cook Amber G. “I can honestly say these are better than the ones mom used to make (sorry, mom)!”

Porcupine Meatballs were a staple during the Great Depression. They only required a few ingredients. This recipe was a great way to stretch a small amount of ground beef. These days, they’re still a budget-friendly recipe. They are also darn delicious and appealing to adults and kids alike. Their out-of-the-box look and familiar flavor make them a hit for everyone.

Allrecipes

Find more recipes like this on my companion blog, “Good Food, Good Meat, Good God, Let’s Eat!”

Posted in From My Kitchen

Easy Make-Ahead Cinnamon Roll Casserole

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

When you’ve got a house full of people to feed for brunch, you might not know what to make. Try this idea. Keep this cinnamon roll French toast casserole recipe in your back pocket. Regular homemade cinnamon rolls are always a crowd-pleasing (yet labor-intensive) option. Meanwhile, store-bought cinnamon rolls don’t always feel quite special enough for company. This French toast casserole with cinnamon rolls is just right. It’s made with oh-so-convenient canned cinnamon rolls. They are baked in an eggy cinnamon custard. Then, they are topped with a sweet brown sugar streusel.

This make-ahead breakfast casserole recipe looks just as impressive as it is easy to make. The delectable crumb topping gives it an artisanal bakery appearance that’s absolutely irresistible once it’s dripping in ooey-gooey vanilla icing. No one will ever guess you had help from the Pillsbury Doughboy!

Taste of Home

Posted in From My Kitchen

Ultimate Ragu Sauce Recipe for Comfort Food Lovers

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

This rich, slow-simmered ragu sauce contains hearty meat. It includes tangy tomatoes. Aromatic herbs make it deeply flavorful. This sauce elevates any plate of pasta.

This homemade ragu sauce is rich, hearty, and deeply satisfying. It is the ultimate comfort food for anyone craving a meal that tastes both indulgent and homey. The sauce is slow-simmered and layered with ground beef, pork, and smoky bacon. It is infused with aromatics like garlic and thyme. A splash of cream finishes it for a velvety texture. It clings to pasta in the most irresistible way, making every bite a perfect balance of savory, sweet and umami. Serve it up for a cozy night in. You can also prepare it for a special family meal. This ragu recipe is sure to be the star of the table.

Ragu Sauce Ingredients

Ingredients To Make Ragu Sauce
Sonia Bozzo for Taste of Home
  • Ground beef: The beef adds a rich, meaty flavor to the sauce and provides a hearty texture.
  • Ground pork: This ingredient contributes additional fat and flavor, which helps create a tender and flavorful sauce.
  • Bacon: The bacon adds a smoky, salty depth that enhances the overall savory taste.
  • Onions: Chopped onions release sweetness and add depth as they caramelize during cooking.
  • Celery: This vegetable adds a subtle earthiness and helps balance the richness of the meats.
  • Carrots: Carrots bring natural sweetness to offset the acidity of the tomatoes.
  • Garlic: The minced garlic infuses the sauce with bold, aromatic flavors.
  • Dry red wine or beef broth: The liquid deglazes the pan, lifting flavorful bits from the bottom and adding depth to the sauce.
  • Crushed tomatoes: These provide the base of the sauce, offering body and a fresh tomato flavor.
  • Tomato sauce: Tomato sauce smooths the texture and adds a rich, concentrated tomato taste.
  • Tomato paste: The paste intensifies the tomato flavor while helping to thicken the sauce.
  • Bay leaves: These impart a subtle herbal aroma as the sauce simmers.
  • Sugar: A small amount of sugar balances the acidity of the tomatoes, making the sauce more well-rounded.
  • Salt: Salt brings out the flavors of all the ingredients, enhancing the overall taste.
  • Dried thyme: This herb adds an earthy, slightly minty note to complement the meat.
  • Dried oregano: The oregano provides a classic Italian herb flavor with hints of peppery bitterness.
  • Ground cumin: Cumin brings a warm, earthy undertone to the sauce, providing depth and complexity to the overall flavor profile.
  • Nutmeg: Nutmeg contributes a subtle sweetness and warmth, enhancing the richness of the meat.
  • Pepper: This spice adds warmth, complexity and a touch of heat to the sauce.
  • Heavy whipping cream: The cream gives the sauce a luxurious, velvety texture with a hint of sweetness.
  • Butter: A touch of butter adds richness and smoothness to create a luscious final texture.
  • Fresh parsley: Parsley brings a bright, fresh contrast to the richness of the sauce.
  • Grated Parmesan cheese: Parmesan adds umami, along with a salty, nutty flavor that ties all the ingredients together.
  • Cooked pasta: The pasta serves as the ideal base, absorbing the rich, flavorful sauce. Use your favorite brand of dried pasta, or make fresh pasta.

Taste of Home

Find more recipes like this on my companion blog, “Good Food, Good Meat, Good God, Let’s Eat!”

Delicious Orange Olive Oil Cake Recipe

Our orange olive oil cake recipe makes a simple yet flavorful snacking cake that everyone will love. In my house, I always have to bake a double batch.

A few years ago, two friends from my culinary school days came to visit me for the weekend. In preparation for my house guests, I deep cleaned, bought fresh flowers and baked an orange olive oil cake.

My friends were still a few hours away. I decided that no one would mind if I tried a slice of the cake. Quality control, right? Well, that was a huge mistake, because I fell in love.

The cake was tender and soft. The presence of orange was playful and bright with the fruity olive oil. There was just enough sugar to impart a hint of sweetness. It avoided a full-blown sugar rush—the marker of a true snacking cake. One slice turned into two, three, four. Before I knew it, half the cake was gone. And then my friends showed up.

I told them what happened. They laughed, then grabbed two forks and tried the cake for themselves. Laughter turned into shock, and I was jokingly berated all weekend for barely saving them “the best cake in existence.”

Every reunion weekend after that, my friends have requested the cake—with no slices taken out beforehand. And, yes, I learned my lesson: Always bake a double batch of this orange olive oil cake recipe. One for them, one for me.

Taste of Home

Find more recipes like this on my companion blog, “Good Food, Good Meat, Good God, Let’s Eat!”

Posted in From My Kitchen

Ultimate Guide to Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

How to Make the Best Chocolate Chip Cookies

Chocolate chip cookies are one of our go-to bakes. Our Test Kitchen regularly whips up these big and buttery cookies (and they are an office favorite!). But there are lots of ways for you to create your version of a great cookie at home. If you want to play around with the recipe, then learn how to make a giant chocolate chip pizookie.

Also before moving ahead, take a quick look at this cookie salad recipe perfect as a sweet side.

Taste of Home

Find more recipes like this on my companion blog, “Good Food, Good Meat, Good God, Let’s Eat!”