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 →
mike w
shrimp wiggle . . . mashed potatoes w/shrimp, peas and butter. it's good and ...... i like to say the name
valentina
who wouldn't love it with a name like that!? 🙂
Deanna Smith
Meat loaf - Great as a meal. Makes Fantastic sandwiches.
valentina
True & true!
Deb|EastofEdenCooking
I vacillate between spaghetti and chicken pot pie... and then there is a steaming bowl of homemade chicken soup that never fails to please.
valentina
Deb, all of these are right up my alley, too. Wishing I had them at this very moment.
Linda McThrall
Black-eyed peas and cornbread. My grandmother had an enormous garden. Each summer we would visit, pick peas, shell peas, cook peas to go with homegrown tomatoes, fried okra and cornbread. Now my mouth is watering. Thanks, Valentina!
valentina
What a lovely memory, Linda. 🙂
Darlene Nelson
Macaroni and Cheese. It's warm, comforting and reminds me of my childhood.
valentina
How is mac & cheese not in my 20 in this post!? It really should be on every comfort food list. YUMMY!
Ken Downing
My fave comfort food is a curried chicken stewp I make. It's a soup, but it's thick like a stew, so it's a stewp! Chunks of chicken thigh meat, lots of veggies, and a mild curry seasoning to give it extra 'healing power'
valentina
I must add the word "stewp" to my culinary dictionary. It's excellent. 🙂
Patt Montgomery
I love pozole soup. I can eat it everyday almost.
valentina
LOVE it!
Char Slovenz
Mashed potatoes.. I guess because they are soft and warm and remind me of home .
valentina
Sounds perfect, Char. 🙂
Arthur Martin
Kale Soup. It reminds me of my childhood. Once the weather started to turned cold it was soup time. My mother made this with kale, meat, potatoes, onions, garlic and some seasonings in a wonderful tasting broth. Always had nice crusty bread to soak up the delicious broth. This is what we called a stick to your ribs meal.
Bob Heck
Hi Valen,
Growing up my family got hooked on Pasta as a comfort food. Not with marinara sauce but butter, salt and sometimes garlic. My wife and I would get up at 2:00 a.m. hungry or we thought we were hungry, just wanting a bowl of noodles and butter.
Still works today, many year later for me and my girls.
Bob
valentina
BUTTER! There's nothing better to have with pasta, as far as I'm concerned. So delicious!
valentina
Arthur, this soup sounds so incredible. Hearty, packed with flavor and good for you! I love it!
Janet M.
My favorite is grilled cheese and tomato soup. It was the Saturday lunch when I was growing up and just one bite takes me back.
valentina
This is a very popular combination on this comment list. Not surprised at all, as it's FABULOUS!