There’s something about winter weather that makes you yearn for simple, home-style dishes that warm from the tips of your toes to the bottom of your soul. Here are a few favorites from our staff that are sure to satisfy.

“I love corn casserole. The recipe is from my wonderful mother-in-law, Jeane Bennett. It gives me the warm fuzzies and the warm yummies because it reminds me of fun family times over the years. We chow down on it at almost all of our family gatherings. — Heather Bennett, Editor

“I make a mocha at home with hot, fresh espresso using local Biff’s Bifferdoodle coffee and 3/4 cup of hot milk. Then I add my cocoa mix, a mixture of local honey and cocoa powder. It is delicious! I keep a small container of the chocolate mix ready to use. Sometimes I heat it in the microwave for 10 seconds to make it easier to stir in the milk/espresso.” — Waynette Traub, Art Director

“I’m a grilled cheese fanatic. Every winter I find myself making a no-frills version to accompany creamy tomato soup. But I also come up with more experimental varieties using whatever ingredients I can find in my fridge. My tastiest creation so far involved avocado, bacon and mozzarella sandwiched between crisp, buttery slices of ciabatta bread.” — Blair Tidwell, Associate Editor

“I used to look forward to going to my Nanny’s house because she always made my favorite foods—chicken and dumplings and homemade coconut cream pie. She passed down the recipes to me. I do have a hard time duplicating her technique and loving smile.” — Tona Jolly, Publisher & Production Manager

4 Foodie Events in February

  • Feb. 5 | National Pancake Day at IHOP to benefit Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.
  • Feb. 16 | 10th Annual Chocolate Fantasy Ball at The Peabody Little Rock to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of Arkansas.
  • Feb. 16 | Big Red Ball Charitable Foundation’s Chili with a Kick at Dickey Stephens Park to benefit Youth Home.
  • Feb. 17 | 32nd Annual Soup Sunday at Embassy Suites to benefit Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families.

Reader Recipes: A few of our Facebook fans divulge their guilty pleasures.

“Definitely chili with cornbread.” — Tammy Eros

“My family’s winter comfort food would have to be homemade beef vegetable soup. Warms us all up from being out in the cold.” — Kristina Knight

“Chocolate gravy.” — Amy Sawyer

“Hobo dinner: Easy clean-up, and everyone loves it. Take a thick hamburger patty, a sliced unpeeled potato, sliced carrot, sliced onion, salt and pepper, optional 1 TBSP onion soup mix, all wrapped in foil, and cook in oven at 375 degrees for 45 minutes.” — Judy Best

Join the conversation by visiting Little Rock Family's Facebook page.