We've all had grilled cheese sandwiches before. But have you ever had a Grilled Cheddar, Tomato and Bacon Sandwich? If not, you're in for a treat! Bacon takes the humble grilled cheese to new heights! It's true, you know…everything is better with bacon!!!

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Tags: applewood-smoked bacon, bacon, grilled cheese sandwich, sharp cheddar cheese, tomato

A good roast chicken is one of the ultimate comfort foods. This recipe, an updated version of a classic, uses balsamic vinegar which adds flavor and creates a great pan sauce that gets drizzled over the carved chicken. It's hard to believe that something this good is so easy to make.

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Tags: balsamic vinegar, Comfort Food, roast chicken, sage

I wish meatloaf had a better name. I don't know what that would be since it is a loaf of meat, but there's got to be something else we can call it. Any ideas??? I'll be pondering a new name for this tasty dish but for now we're stuck with the name meat loaf.

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Tags: Beef, Comfort Food, meat loaf, meatloaf

If you're looking for a twist on traditional chicken soup, then you should try this recipe for Chicken and Vegetable Chowder. It's simple, easy to make and comforting.

For the blending of the chowder, I used an immersion blender (stick blender) instead of transferring the soup in batches to a blender. If you do use a regular blender, let the chowder cool off a bit before blending. Also, remember to only fill the blender about 1/3 full and hold the lid down tightly with a towel (this is to prevent hot soup from spraying all over you and your kitchen when you turn the blender on). I used whole milk for the chowder, but I'm sure 2% would work fine, too. I would definitely not use nonfat milk, though. Serve the chowder with crusty bread and a salad.  

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Tags: carrots, Chicken, Chicken and Vegetable Chowder, potatoes, rice

This recipe, a twist on traditional chicken noodle soup, features corn, orzo (a rice-shaped pasta) and saffron (the stigma of a Mediterranean crocus flower). Saffron is the world's most expensive spice by weight, and is popular in Spanish, Indian and Mediterranean cooking. The recipe calls for a "pinch" of saffron which is approximately 1/8 teaspoon (much more than that will overpower the soup). If you don't like saffron or don't have any, the soup will still be good without it although it will be missing some of the golden-yellow color and the distinct flavor that saffron gives to food. To make it a heartier soup, add more orzo, chicken and corn.

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Tags: chicken soup, corn, orzo, Quick Cooking, saffron, Soup/Stew

My father-in-law (a meat & potatoes guy) came over for dinner the other night and I wanted to make him a nice meal–something meaty yet something he wouldn't make for himself. I decided to make meatballs and spaghetti. This meal was truly a sight to behold: giant meatballs perfectly positioned on top of a plate of tomatoey spaghetti and garnished with freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Oh my…it was so good! 

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Tags: Beef, Comfort Food, Italian, italian sausage, meatballs, Pasta, spaghetti

Mmmm, chocolate cupcakes.  I've tried making Devil's Food Cupcakes before but have never been happy with the results. That is until I met this recipe for Chocolate Devil's Food Cupcakes.  These cupcakes were really good…moist and chocolatey with a fine crumb. Although the cupcakes and frosting are from two different sources, I thought they worked great together. I recommend spending the extra money for the cake flour because it is specially milled to create a tender texture in cakes. The creamy vanilla frosting recipe makes enough to spread an ample amount of frosting on each cupcake. You'll want to double it, however, if you want mounds of frosting on each cupcake or you're going to pipe the frosting on with a decorating bag.

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Tags: chocolate, cupcakes, vanilla frosting

I'm convinced that our world would be a happier place if more people made Chicken noodle soup for each other. Just think of all the comfort and mirth we'd be sharing…kind of like Whirled Peas (you've seen the bumper sticker), only better! Chicken noodle soup is one of those basic foods that, not surprisingly, tastes so much better homemade than from a can. Yes, there's a few steps involved but they are simple steps that result in something truly comforting. Imagine the goodwill you'll be creating when you make a pot of homemade chicken noodle soup for your family or a sick friend.

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Tags: Chicken, Soup/Stew