It's time for The Weekend Cook to make a comeback! These recipes are designed to be easy and fun for you to make over the weekend, when we all have some time to relax and enjoy each other's company. And the focus today is on keeping warm this weekend!

Cold and snow have been gripping much of the United States in the past few weeks, and the air temperature as I write is -16 degrees F. Brrrr. Filling your house with the warmth of long and slow cooking foods is one of the best ways to beat the chill.

Enjoy your weekend cooking and baking with your family and friends.

Friday Dinner

• Crockpot Beef Stroganoff
  This elegant and rich recipe has the best combination of flavors. Serve it over hot cooked egg noodles.
• Sweet and Sour Spinach Salad
  I love this easy salad; the dressing tastes like sweet and sour sauce. And baby spinach and vegetables are a wonderful combination.
• Fastest Cheesecake
  Make this cheesecake when you get home from work and it will be ready by the time dinner is over.

Saturday Breakfast

• Hash Brown Quiche
  There's something so warming and comforting about hash brown potatoes. They form the crust of this easy breakfast pie. You can use any type of cooked meat in this pie, or leave it out for a vegetarian version.
• orange juice
• coffee
• Petite Caramel Rolls
  These tiny rolls are so easy to make and so good. Serve them warm from the oven!

Saturday Lunch

• Gourmet Grilled Cheese
  Grilled cheese sandwiches are real comfort food for me. This sophisticated version is super easy and delicious.
• Tangy Tomato Soup
  This easy soup is ready in only 20 minutes, and it will warm you up.

• Crockpot Baked Apples
  Start these delicious apples right after breakfast so they're ready for lunch.

Saturday Dinner

• Crockpot Orange Curried Chicken
  I love the combination of orange, curry powder, tender chicken, and vegetables in this rich dish.
• Mixed Greens and Pea Salad
  This fresh salad uses convenient bagged salad mixes, frozen peas, and a simple vinaigrette dressing.
• Baked Pilaf
  A rice pilaf baked in the oven is the perfect accompaniment to the creamy curried chicken dish.
• Peanut Butter Chocolate Fondue
  End this cozy meal with everyone gathered around this wonderful fondue, dipping cubes of pound cake, fresh strawberries, and soft marshmallows.

Sunday Brunch

• Breakfast Strata
  This hearty, warming breakfast casserole is filled with sausage, mushrooms, asparagus and cheese.
• Orange Cream Salad
  I just love this creamy, smooth salad. One serving gives you more than 100% DV of Vitamin C; that's important in the winter. And it's delicious.
• coffee

Sunday Dinner

• Slow Cooker Fajita Stew
  This hearty stew is packed full of rich and delicious ingredients. You can use your own Fajita Seasoning in this recipe, or substitute a purchased variety.
• Cornbread
  Cornbread is ideal for winter meals, because it's best eaten hot, right out of the oven. Make sure to serve lots of softened butter with this light and delectable bread.
• Spinach Salad
  If you've never tried raw baby spinach, you are in for a surprise. The leaves are tender and mild, perfectly complemented by this sweet and sour dressing.
• Oatmeal Carmelitas
  This decadent and rich bar cookie has layers of chocolate and caramel tucked inbetween buttery oatmeal layers. It's one of my favorite bar cookies.