Food Favorites for Cincinnati's Cold and Snow

[kjbrill]

Sarah ...

Just came in from outside taking the trash cans out. Brrrrr it is not only getting cold but the icy snow is falling. I have a feeling we will not be going anywhere tomorrow. Here in the north I would say a good 6 inches is coming our way.

Just had a feeling this snow might be significant.

Went up to Kroger this afternoon and bought some provisions. We like Stouffer's brand frozen entrees. Came home with their family size Mac & Cheese. Already baked that. Also got the stuffed green peppers, we love them. And a family portion of their lasagna, so we are good to go.

Cincinnati Chili ways are easy. You start off with chili and spaghetti, that is a two-way. If you add shredded cheese you have a 3-way. If you add diced onions you are up to a 4-way. Don't know how anyone can stop before they get here. A 3-way without onions where are you coming from? Add on some cooked beans and you have the 5-way.

I do have some ground beef in the freezer to make Cincinnati Chili, but I think our Stouffer entrees will last us through this deep freeze.

[kjbrill]

Well, we have eaten the majority of the Stouffer frozen entrees. Just have the lasagna left. Must get to the store tomorrow for more provisions. This weekend it will be Cincinnati Chili, maybe some Worthmore Mock Turtle, that sounds good for Saturday, I will have another round of Stoffer's Mac & Cheese, just love the stuff. Maybe I will get the party size this time so we have plenty to reheat.

I also will take a look at Kroger's special on pork loin. If I like the looks of it may buy several. We use pork loin for just about everything. Slice it thin and then fry like pork chops. Bake it like a roast. Put it in the slow cooker and make BBQ. One of the most versatile meats around.

The other day for lunch the wife just took some jarred beef gravy, a packet of Idahoan brand instant mashed potatoes, heated the gravy, prepared the potatoes, and we were fine. Sometimes it does not take much to satisfy you.

Anybody with your own variety of food for this weather just chime in here.

[DaveGl]

Ah, just to have ONE Cincinnati Chili-style parlor here in Texas. One thing I've grown to love since being down south has one of Cincinnati chili's usual ingredients. Red beans and rice, which sounds deceptively simple, is oh so good on a cold day. I've found Tony Chachere's Creole Red Beans and Rice dinner mix makes-up a very fine version with very little effort. I can get the mix at Kroger here so I'd imagine it's available in the stores in Cincinnati. You can make a low fat version, with no sausage, but for the full experience, I have to add a 1/4 pound of good, spicy sausage, chopped, and browned before adding to the mix. The local andouille sausage is my preference. The Tony Chachere's mix is relatively mild so I like to add some dashes of Tabasco when served.

Like many soups and stews, red beans and rice tastes much better after "aging" a few days in the refrigerator, to let all the flavors mingle. As I mentioned, don't let the simple name fool you. It's taste greatly exceeds it's name when prepared correctly. Some saltines or, even better, some crusty bread and a bowl works wonders. Ayeee!