What is Comfort Food? The answer will be different for everyone -- and for many reasons. Mood, weather, personality, memories, family, and friends are some of the many things that play into what your comfort foods might be.
What does comfort food mean?
Comfort foods are foods that provide a sense of serenity. They're most often connected with nostalgia and emotional comfort.
Since we've all had different experiences in our lives, everyone likely has their own comfort food.
Why exactly do we grab for a particular food in our pantry, or cook a certain recipe at a certain time?
- It can evoke feelings.
- It's a food that can be calming and soothing.
- Your comfort food might bring you back to a pleasant childhood memory.
- It's something that will warm you up in cold weather.
- A meal that might help mend a broken heart.
- A food that simply makes you feel good, for no particular reason.
Soothing and Calming
Some people think of comfort foods as something soothing when they're sad or upset.
You know, like if you've had a really rough day, so you grab the pint of coffee ice cream, that you hope to have while you watch mindless TV? Not that I know who that would be. 😉
Comfort Foods can Evoke Feelings
For others, a comfort food is something that might evoke a nostalgic or sentimental feeling. For example, you love making waffles on lazy weekends because you remember your dad doing the same when you were growing up. (Also me.)
Comfort Foods are Warming
Typically served warm or hot, think saucy and creamy, warming spices (cinnamon, cloves, cardamom are a few) or melting cheese.
Foods in this category are generally cooked in the cooler months of fall and winter. After all, they warm us up and they're cozy. They simply make us feel good.
Comfort Food has become its Own Category
And then, there's simply a group of foods or meals that seem to have created their own special category called "Comfort Foods."
These are typically one-pot meals that roast, simmer, or braise for a long time. (Why do you think slow cookers and crock pots are so popular?)
"Soups and Stews" might as well change their category name to Comfort Foods, as they can be all of these things.
Macaroni and cheese, pies, bread puddings, cookies right out of the oven. . . its foods in this vein that qualify for this category.
Below are some of my favorite comfort food dishes, or those that I believe fit into the category.
Let's jump in to some delicious examples of comfort foods . . .
15 of The Best Comfort Food Recipes
Cheesy Pancetta Brussels Sprouts
Roasted Butternut Squash Chili
Creamy Polenta with Gorgonzola
Yes, cold things can certainly be a comfort! 😉
So what is comfort food for you, and what do you think are the best comfort food recipes?
I want to know so please tell me in the comments!
BROWSE MORE COMFORT FOOD RECIPES →
Christina Conte
My favorite comfort food is spaghetti with butter. I always had it when I was sick or on the mend as a little girl! I wasn't allowed it otherwise, so it was a perk to being ill! haha!
Great round up, Valentina!
Valentina
I love that. How could buttered spaghetti not be a silver lining of not feeling well!? 😉 ~Valentina
ken Miller
I am very moody and at the same time I love cooking. So whenever I felt upset its obvious that I am gonna create new dish lolz
valentina
The new dish is the silver lining. 😀 Thanks for sharing. Have a lovely weekend.~Valentina
Ralph Smith
To me, comfort foods are warm, colorful and flavorful. Often they also inspire happy memories of a certain person, place or event.
Brian E.
Thanks for the giveaway… Irish Soda Bread, using my Mom's recipe...reminds me of being a kid, watching my Mom cook & bake in the kitchen.
valentina
Moms are the best. 🙂
Lorena Keech
My favorite comfort food is homemade beef and noodles. It is so rich and warming and because it is my mother's recipe, it reminds me of her.
valentina
I think almost every comment includes "mom" or "mother." I can only hope I'm giving my boys similar memories. 🙂
Annette
My favorite comfort food is Chicken and Dumplings.
valentina
That's on my list, too. 🙂
alli
Bean and cheese burritos. Perfectly seasoned beans, fresh tasty cheese and a light savory tortilla. It's an old standby, a best friend, and brings you back to what really matters...carbs, dairy and some bean protein.
valentina
I love this, Alli! So many foods are my "best friends." 😉 xo Hope to see you soon! xo V
Sandy
One of my favorite comfort foods was such a simple treat. When I was very young my mother would stew ripe garden tomatoes and onions with a little water,salt ,pepper and a touch of sugar. This was always enjoyed when I was sick. Mom would serve it on hot buttered toast. This was the only time I was allowed to eat in bed , so for me it was a double pleasure. It was made just for me ! Such memories .
Tomatoes are one of my favorite meals to this day !!
valentina
Sandy, this is such a good one. And in reading your comment, I realized how great it's been having people think about memories like this. 🙂
Daniel M
my fav comfort food is lasagna, it always cheers me up
valentina
Lasagna is a great one! Love lasagna!