The Power of Comfort Food And Why We Crave For It

^{Photo by Marie Martin}

Since the pandemic, so many negative situations have affected the way we live. The pandemic altered our physical, emotional, and mental well-being on so many levels on short notice. When we get hit by life’s stressors, we often turn to our “comfort food,” hoping that eating them will make us feel better.

It’s not a rare occurrence that people turn to food to cope. Be it joy, depression, or pure numbness, comfort food has the power to turn things around. Emotional states trigger our need to eat something to feel safe and in control.

Comfort food is supposed to make you feel warm and cozy inside, despite having our views on what it can be. If there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that preparing them shouldn’t be a hassle. Every single dish is an eased version of the classics that we loved.

Just like in Eleanor Gaccetta’s book “Generations of Good Food,” a sumptuous meal doesn’t have to be complex and intricate to be enjoyed. A simple dish made of accessible ingredients is enough to turn your world upside down in a good way.

What comfort food is and why we love it

Comfort foods may date back to the 70’s although the term gained popularity in the 1070’s.  The concept came from the comfortable feeling people get as they consume food they particularly liked. When you crave something sweet or savory, you expect to feel good when you eat them. The power of comfort food transcends generations and cultures.

Sometimes, it could be a fond memory associated with the food you like and to simplify life’s complications; that’s why it’s widely available and a quick go-to.

Examples of comfort food to try

The best thing about comfort food is that you don’t have to be a star chef or a seasoned home cook to prepare them. They are often simple types of food can be consumed quickly plus it’s supposed to be comforting. There are hundreds of comfort food you can find online which are easy to make.

With these, comfortable home cooking recipes, you can make one of them for yourself whenever you get a craving:

Chicken Pot Pie

With the delicious combination of flaky, buttery crust with chunks of diced chicken, vegetables, and creamy sauce, the chicken pot pie truly serves as comfort food. You may find one ready to heat and serve in a nearby grocery store, but nothing beats the authentic home recipes that elevate the taste of this dish. There are many different recipes for chicken pot pie online.

Classic Meatloaf

You can never go wrong with this old-school recipe that’s so easy to make. A slice of meatloaf goes well mashed potatoes and gravy for a comforting dinner.  Serve it left-over as a sandwich patty with a fried egg on top.

Vegetarian Matzo Ball Soup

As a year-round favorite, this dish has been a comfort food staple nourishing the body and soul. This Jewish recipe is a version of the original chicken fat and broth. The latter were swapped with veggie alternatives for those on a vegan diet.

Beef Stew

Beef Stew has always been an essential part of the winter comfort food lineup. It is best consumed on its own or with other dishes. Regardless, beef stew is a meal you can enjoy to your heart’s content without feeling guilty.

Baked Mac & Cheese

No matter how many versions there are of this famous comfort dish, baked mac & cheese rules among the all-around staple dishes in existence. The baked mac & cheese is one of the easiest to make, plus it gets better with more cheese layers. Tons of recipes have managed to elevate the creaminess and overall texture of the dish, so you have many choices that suit your taste.

Sloppy Joe

Named after the cook who added tomato sauce over his loose meat sandwiches, this American classic is considered one of the ever-reigning comfort foods. It is made of ground beef in tangy sauce between toasted buns, and the sloppy joe is a great childhood dish you can try at home.

Comfort yourself with food

A delicious, home-cooked meal is the best way to relieve stress and troubles. Good food takes us to a place that strikes a pleasant memory or emotion. Sometimes, we all need to indulge in foods that brings us joy, even for a moment, especially when we get to eat them and have our fill.

Even though you can consume as much comfort food as you want, a balanced diet is still necessary. You get the best taste while eating everything in moderation. When you’re healthy and happy, nothing else matters.