This is what comfort food looks like to me:
Steak and chips and tinned beans.
It’s not exactly gourmet, although we don’t have it all that often because steak can be expensive. Perhaps the fact that it’s a little bit “special” helps to elevate it to the status of comfort food for me?
Experts would probably say that I’m drawn to it because it’s packed with fatty acids.
Whatever. Luckily it’s quick and easy to prepare, and not too bad for the waistline – especially if the chips are cooked in an air fryer.
Chances are, your idea of comfort food is very different to mine; but I’ll bet there are some things they have in common.
What is Comfort Food Anyway?!
Comfort food tastes like home, like somebody loves you. It gives you a feeling of safety, warmth and security, as it usually stems from childhood and is something your mum or grandma used to make (and let’s be honest, nobody – not even you – makes it quite as well as they did!). Alas, my grandma’s awesome jam tart is now just a memory – I never did get the recipe 🙁 .
Why do we turn to comfort food? Maybe because it’s like a warm hug when we are sick or injured, tired or stressed, or “all peopled out”. It is the joy of the familiar, giving us stability in times of crisis, grief and heartache. If we are really lucky once we hit adulthood, somebody makes it (whatever it may be) for us, to take care of us.
Many people think of chicken noodle soup as comfort food; it’s the perfect panacea when we are feeling unwell.
And is there anything that can’t be made better with a hot cup of tea?! The Brits were on to something with that one! (Although if you want to get technical, tea is a drink, not a food. Meh, details.)
Comfort food probably varies too, depending on where you grew up.
For Americans, it might be mac and cheese, or hot apple pie. I’m only guessing, but would it be fried rice for the Chinese, croissants for the French, pasta for the Italian?
Steak and chips and beans might be the first thing that comes to my mind as far as comfort food goes, but there are others that I would definitely add to my list:
- soft boiled eggs and toast fingers (this is definitely comfort food for the hubster, it’s his “go-to” whenever one of us is feeling blue);
- roast chicken;
- chocolate pudding (now that’s real winter comfort food!);
- porcupine meatballs and mashed potato;
- cereal (yes, even for dinner sometimes when I really can’t be bothered!).
Is Chocolate a Comfort Food?
I thought about adding chocolate to my list but it just didn’t feel right. Although I am addicted to love chocolate – especially dark chocolate, I can (and do!) eat it anytime. It’s not something I reserve for when I need comfort.
Besides, I think of comfort food as a meal, rather than a snack – though it might be different for you …
I’m curious to know what comfort food would top your list?