The Secret of Comfort Food
November 23, 2009 
When I was a week away from my due date (which turned out to be a joke), I was sore, cranky, bloated, cranky, demanding, cranky... but in a reasonably good mood. HA. (My poor, patient husband...)
On a Sunday afternoon when I was legitimately sick, I had no desire to remove myself from my couch... until I wanted some mac and cheese. While Kaz is fantastic at foot rubs and grocery store runs and telling me I'm beautiful despite being a walking balloon, his kitchen skills are a bit limited. You mean I have to cook this myself?! Whine. Fortunately, I had some leftover pasta that needed a home, so I took ten minutes to make a quick cheese sauce and pop this creamy and crunchy mac and cheese in the oven. Ten minutes. Ten quick and simple minutes to a piping hot bowl of delicious, comforting comfort food.
What makes it so good? Why do our eyes roll back in our heads when we take a bite of something like mac and cheese or mashed potatoes or [insert whatever food makes you really happy]? It's because food is able to take us somewhere else. For me, mac and cheese makes me think of my grandma. She died when I was three, but I still remember her like she's here. She made the best mac and cheese, always spoiled me, loved me without condition, and gave me soda even when I wasn't supposed to have it. Whenever I eat mac and cheese, the warmth and texture and taste are comforting, but even more than that, I get the warm and fuzzies from the memory of my Nana.
It's more than just food. It's a memory. A relationship. An emotion. Don't ignore those moments while you're rushing to eat your dinner and get the kids to bed. Take ten extra minutes with your family around the table, and make your own comfort food memories. That's so much more valuable than getting to bed on time.
Speaking of food memories, what are your plans for Thanksgiving? Need some recipe ideas? Your wish is my command. And if you have favorite dishes that always find their way to your holiday table, I'd love to hear about them! Vicarious eating is way too fun.
- Roasted Broccoli with Lemon and Parmesan
- Easy-As-Pie Key Lime Pie (come on, not everyone likes pumpkin pie)
- Macaroni and Cheese
- The Best Apple Crisp
Reader Comments (4)
YUM! Yes, I desperately need a recipe for Thanksgiving that travels well and that will impress my very large and crrraazy family! :)
Yes! This is exactly the way I feel about comfort food. There are so many memories and stories wrapped up in a lot of the things I like to make and eat during the winter. Now I think I'll be making Mac and Cheese for dinner this week!
Wow - do great minds think alike or what?? In the spirit of not going to the grocery store too much before we leave town for the holidays, I just looked in my pantry & refrigerator and was pleased to see I had all the (EASY!) ingredients to make yummy homemade mac & cheese for dinner tonight. Comfort food for all of us on a gray winter day. As to your ideas for recipes - two holiday dishes that always make it to our table this time of year are cheese fondue (our Christmas Eve staple) & a scrumptious, luscious, oh-so-not-good-for-you-but-tastes-like-heaven cranberry cake with butter sauce for all of us who do not like pumpkin pie.
Currently no plans for Thanksgiving, but I will share my favorite dish.
Yam and Apple Casserole
baked yams cut into slices + chopped apples + BUTTER, CINNAMON, nutmeg, and allspice (sometimes some honey and or maple syrup) + crock pot or casserole dish and oven.
You can keep your marsh mellows. :-p