What is everyone’s definition of comfort food? Actually let me rephrase that: what constitutes something as comfort food? Lately it seems comfort food has gotten a bad rap for being “unhealthy” and while I agree 1 stick of butter is high in cholesterol it also makes my serotonin (happy hormone) sky rocket. Since I live in Michigan where seasonal depression runs rampant due to our eternal gray winter skies; I stand fully behind my decision to defend myself with a shield of high calorie, gooey, warm serotonin goodness. Aka – Tater tot casserole.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 lbs ground meat (I used venison)
• 1 can of French cut green beans
• 1 can of cream of mushroom soup
• 1 can of milk
• 1 large onion – chopped
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat a medium sized skillet and melt enough butter to wet the pan. Add onions to the pan and cook until slightly glossy looking and then add ground meat to brown. Add salt and pepper to taste
2. Drain excess grease and set aside
3. Open can of beans and drain
4. Grease a 9×11″ casserole dish, place meat mixture in the bottom. Top with a layer of beans and then cover with a layer of tater tots.
5. Open the can of cream of mushroom soup, pour into a small bowl. Fill can up with milk and place into same bowl. Mix together.
6. Pour mushroom and milk mixture over the the tater tots
7. Bake in the oven at 350 for 1 hour and 15minutes

My mom and my sister (Mom and Lucy) came over to my house the night I made this recipe. There was really no reason, we just wanted to see each other. James (my husband) was there as well. The house was warm, outside it was quite from all of the snow. This is where the definition of comfort food for me actually comes from.

I picture the quite nights at home where grandma might have cooked for her family too. The food and conversation warming everyone up. This recipe was simple and fulfilled the comfort food craving that took over me that night. But when you’re all snuggled up on the couch watching Great British Baking Show with your family its hard to say you didn’t feel comfortable.

Nights like that are a nice reminder for why I love to cook and why I started this blog. For the love of food and family. So I guess I’ll just have to keep leaving the light on