The thing about comfort food is that when you aren't feeling up to par, comfort food, well, it comforts you. I recently read an article on why it works check it out here: Why Comfort Food Works. So from this article I discovered that fat is the key to comfort; having said this I must now warn you these recipes are not low calorie nor are they necessarily healthy for you, but with the portion control of our little coffee mugs they are not as bad as say consuming that whole pint of Ben & Jerry's Chunky Monkey we might otherwise turn to. So come along my lovelies let's shuffle into the kitchen with our favorite coffee mugs in hand and seek comfort in some classic comfort food for one.
Potato Soup in a Mug
Ingredients:
1/3 cup instant potato flakes
1/4 cup powdered coffee creamer (plain)
2 teaspoons parmesan cheese
3/4 teaspoon dried chives
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon butter
pepper ( to taste)
1 cup water
Directions:
Mix all dry ingredients in a ziploc bag.
Empty mixture into a microwaveable mug.
Add water & butter.
Mix well.
Microwave on high for 1-1/2 - 2 minutes.
Stir.
Cover with plastic wrap.
Let stand 3 minutes.
You can also add 1/8 tsp bacon bits and/or some cheddar cheese for a little extra fat.
Mug of Mac & Cheese
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup milk
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Combine the pasta and water in a large mug or bowl.
Microwave on high for two minutes, then stir. A lot of times the water will overflow while it heats up. It is OK if this happens just make sure to keep a towel handy for easy clean up.
Repeat this for at least 2 to 4 more minutes, stirring at each 2-minute interval.
The water should absorb completely and the pasta will be cooked through. (If the pasta needs another minute it is okay to add one more teaspoon of water and microwave for another minute)
Remove it from the microwave and stir in the milk and cheese.
Microwave for another minute.
Stir thoroughly, let stand for 2 minutes, stir again and enjoy!
Personal taste note: This recipe was a little too bland for my taste so I also added some dried minced onion, granulated garlic, and salt during the boiling process. In addition, I added a couple of dashes of Franks Red Hot Sauce before serving.
Meatloaf in a Mug
Ingredients:
1 slice white bread, torn into pieces
2 tablespoons milk
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 lb ground beef
1 green onion, thinly sliced
1/4 teaspoon seasoning salt
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
Directions:
Place the torn bread into a small bowl, and pour in the milk and Worcestershire sauce; set aside for a few minutes for the bread to absorb the liquid. Add the ground beef, green onion, seasoned salt, and pepper to the bread; mix well and place into a microwave-safe mug.
Cook in the microwave at 70 percent power until the meatloaf is firm and no longer pink in the center, 4 to 5 1/2 minutes depending on the microwave.
Remove the meatloaf from the microwave, and allow to stand 2 minutes before serving with a small amount of ketchup on top.
And for some extra comfort I give you
Dad's M & M's Hot Chocolate
Ingredients:
1/4 cup M&M' ( plain)
1 cup hot milk
Directions:
Place M & M's in a zip lock back and crush with the flat side of a meat tenderizer. (you can also use a food processor to chop but that's just more dirty dishes in my book)
Place M & M's in mug.
Add milk. Microwave 2 - 3 minutes until hot. Mix until smooth.
All in all today's recipes are ok substitutes for the real thing in a pinch, but I did find I would rather have the good old fashioned originals that are baked in the oven or cooked on the stovetop. So as far as experiments go I would say these were successful enough to pass as comfort food but still not as comforting as mom or grandma making them for you with love!
Until next time in the kitchen my lovelies please remember to perform random acts of kindness whenever and wherever possible!
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