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Comfort Foods

© Shawn Price

After a truly bad day, there’s nothing quite like coming home to the smells of your favorite comfort food. It doesn’t matter if it’s fresh gingerbread or a plate of biscuits and gravy, there’s something very satisfying and comforting. The following are a selection from some of our family’s favorites. While hot bread may not mend a broken heart, it can help ease some of the pain.

*Gingerbread*
If you haven’t made this spicy quick bread in a while, give this a try!

2 eggs
3/4 c. brown sugar
3/4 c. molasses
3/4 c. melted shortening
2 1/2 c. flour
2 tsp. soda
2 tsp. ginger
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. cloves
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 c. boiling water

Cream sugar and melted shortening. Blend in eggs and molasses. Sift flour with spices, soda, and baking powder. Add to creamed mixture. Finally add the boiling water. Beat well. Pour into 9x13 inch greased pan. Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

*Shortcake*
Serve with jam and whipped cream

2 c. flour
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tbsp. sugar
4 tsp. baking powder
3 tbsp. shortening
1 egg
3/4 c. milk

Combine ingredients but do not over mix. Pat batter into a greased 8 or 9-inch square pan. Bake at 475 degrees for 25 minutes. Serve warm.

*Easy Chocolate Pudding*
Much better than the powdery stuff in a box, and almost as easy

4 c. milk
3 heaping tbsp. cornstarch
3 level tbsp. cocoa
1 c. white sugar
Pinch of salt
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla

Scald milk, beat egg and add sugar, cocoa, cornstarch and salt (which have all been mixed together). Add cooled milk and cook, stirring constantly, until thick on medium heat. Add vanilla and pour in small dessert. Chill before serving.

*Pricklies*
Our niece named these sweets for how they looked.

2 c. nuts
1 c. dates
2 c. fine coconut
1 c. brown sugar
2 eggs

Grind nuts and dates together. Add coconut, brown sugar, and eggs. Mix all together. Form into small rolls. Roll into some extra coconut to cover each one. Bake until brown at about 325 degrees until coconut is slightly browned.

*Scalloped Corn*
Filling and warm

1 can corn
2/3 c. milk
1 1/4 tsp. salt
Dash of pepper
1 slightly beaten egg
2 tbsp. butter or margarine, melted
2 c. soft bread crumbs
1/4 c. chopped green chile (if desired)

Mix corn, egg, milk and seasonings (and green chile). Mix crumbs and butter and place 1/4 of mixture in bottom of buttered dish. Add half of the corn mixture, then another 1/4 of crumbs. Repeat layers, ending with the balance of crumbs. Bake 30 minutes at 350 degrees. Serve hot.

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