When in need of comfort…

We turn to our friends. We turn to our family. We turn to delicious food.

The last couple of days I’ve been up in Maine wishing I could turn back time. And that comfort food could truly comfort in even the most difficult times.

Truth is, it can’t. But sharing delicious food with friends and family can comfort. So this is my plea to you to spend more time sharing delicious food and making memories with your family and friends. You can start by making this delicious dish:

{Tofu, Spinach, Carrots and Rice Noodles in a Peanut-Coconut Sauce}

• 6 ounces rice noodles, cooked and drained
• 3 c spinach, finely chopped
• 2 carrots, peeled and sliced thinly
• 1 block tofu, pressed to remove liquid and cubed
• 1 t sesame oil

For the sauce:

• 1/2 c light coconut milk
• 3 T smooth peanut butter
• 2 T soy sauce
• 5 T rice vinegar
• 2 T honey or maple syrup
• 1 T grated ginger
• 1/4 t chili flakes
• 1/4 unsweetened shredded coconut
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Cook rice noodles according to package directions. Set aside.

Combine all ingredients for the sauce in a food processor and combine. Set aside.

In a large pan, heat sesame oil over medium-high heat. Add tofu and cook until starting to brown. Add spinach and carrots. Continue to cook over heat until spinach has wilted.

Add sauce to tofu and vegetable mixture. Stir. Let sauce warm for a few minutes then pour tofu/vegetable/sauce mixture over rice noodles. Serve.

*yield about 4 servings

Peanut Butter Bacon Cookies

Yes, you read that right. Peanut butter. Bacon. Cookies. Together.

I don’t know what’s gotten into me lately. All this baking, what’s it about? Must be the threat promise of fall weather approaching. It’s not like you’d know… yesterday I was sweating by 8:30 AM.

But anyway, tonight I baked. This recipe combines two of my very favorite things. Peanut butter, of course. And bacon, of course. I just ate four, of course.

Peanut Butter Bacon Cookies

(Recipe via Littlegirlshinyworld via Joythebaker)

• 1 cup all-natural chunky or smooth peanut butter (I used chunky)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar (I used Splenda)
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• about 6 slices of bacon, cooked, cooled and diced (used turkey bacon)

In a skillet over medium high heat, fry up bacon until cooked through and let cool on paper towels until cool enough to dice. Dice up and set aside.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Line a cookie sheet with parchment & set aside. In a mixer combine peanut butter and sugars until well combined, about 2 minutes. Add egg and baking soda and mix for another 2 minutes. Fold in cooked bacon. Roll into large walnut sized balls and create a cris-cross pattern with a fork. If you’d like, roll the dough balls in granulated sugar before making the cris-cross pattern. Bake for 10 minutes, until lightly browned. Cool on a baking sheet for five minutes, then transfer to… your mouth.

Clearly I liked them, like I said… I ate four, however, next time I’ll use smooth peanut butter. Between the crispy bacon and chunks of peanuts, I had an extra crunchy cookie. Not a bad thing, probably just a preference thing.