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 →
Barb
My favorite comfort food is french fries with different toppings ,its my favorite because there is a topping for every mood ,when i am super upset i put french fries on a fried balogna sandwich
valentina
Barb, fries on a sandwich -- I LOVE it! 🙂
deana c
My favorite comfort food is homemade mac and cheese because my mother used to always make me this on my birthday. It makes me think of her.
valentina
I think Mac & Cheese way up on the comfort food lists! 🙂
cat
good old Mac and cheese
valentina
Which ironically never gets old! 😉
Kate @ Babaganosh.org
My favorite comfort food is mashed potatoes. This might sound weird, but in my Russian family, mashed potatoes were part of Sunday breakfast, and it is also the dish my mom made for me when I was sick... so it brings up happy Sunday breakfast memories as well as makes me think about being taken care of 🙂
valentina
I really love this Kate. One food with two lovely memories. 🙂
Melissa M
The best comfort food to me was my mother's chicken and Dumplings. They just warm you from the tummy out! And anything my mother cooked was always best.
valentina
I love that, "from the tummy out." 🙂
Trish
A bowl of my mom's broccoli soup....with a delicious chicken broth and melted cream cheese, this is one of the best winter soups from my childhood.
valentina
Sounds delicious, Trish. And pretty healthy, too boot!
Nikki
potato pancakes because they taste amazing and just make you happy lol
valentina
Potato pancakes are high on my list, too. Reminds me of my mom and Aunt cooking for the holiday's when I was a kid. And you're right, they can make a person happy! 🙂
Linda S.
Eggplant parmesan, or risotto with porcini mushrooms.
valentina
I could eat risotto everyday! YUM!
Joan
My comfort food is either mac and cheese or potatoes.
valentina
I'm thinking potatoes came to be for comfort. 😉
Linda K.
My favorite comfort food is cream of mushroom soup.
valentina
Oooh, I love that -- especially mixed with rice and chicken. 🙂