Childhood Comforts

Sometimes cooking is about putting meal on the table. Other times it is about comforting your soul. When I cook these 2 things I cannot help but miss my Mom. These were both things she made a lot growing up. Nothing fancy. Just a weeknight meal. In fact the mashed potato casserole was a way to use up leftovers so we would not complain! Funny how those things are the ones you miss….

Mama’s Mashed Potato Casserole

3-4 cups leftover mashed potatoes
1/2 cup Braum’s sour cream
1/2 cup crisp crumbled bacon
1 cup Braum’s cheddar cheese, shredded
1/4 cup green onions
1 cup seasoned bread crumbs
3 TBsp. Braum’s Unsalted butter, chilled
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 8×8 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. In a large bowl mix together the mashed potatoes and sour cream. Stir in the bacon, shredded cheese, and green onions. Spoon into the baking pan. To prepare the topping: using a fork or your fingers crumble together the butter, bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle over the top of the casserole. Bake for 30-40 minutes or until topping is browned and potatoes are bubbly.

Now it is time for the main course! This was my Mom’s answer for cube steak. An inexpensive cut of meat that I thought was steak until I was an adult. How did I know? It tasted great!

Cowgirl Steaks

4-6 cube steaks, seasoned with salt and pepper
3 onions, sliced thin
1/4 cup canola oil
1 cup flour
1 tablespoon seasoning salt
2 cups beef broth or stock
1 tablespoon kitchen bouquet

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large oven proof skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Place the flour abs seasoning salt in a shallow dish. Dredge the steaks in flour and then lightly brown in the oil. Remove from the pan and place to the side. Then, add the onions into the sauté pan. Cook them till they are lightly golden brown. Sprinkle the leftover seasoned dredging flour over the onions. Cook for about 3-4 minutes. Add in the beef stock and scrape the bottom of the pan to get all of the yummy bits up. Cook till thickened. Add the steaks back in and then cover the pan. Place into the hot oven to cook for 45 minutes.