What does ‘comfort food’ mean to you? Wikipedia defines it this way:
The term comfort food refers to a variety of familiar, simple foods that are usually home-cooked or eaten at informal restaurants.
For me the definition of comfort food is contained in the phrase – it’s food that brings me comfort. The kind of meal I turn to when I’ve had a bad day or feel a little lost. It reminds me of my childhood, it tastes like home. And it’s gotta be packed with carbs, plus bonus points if it includes a dairy product. If it’s not guaranteed to add three inches to my waistline, it’s not comforting to me.
So, what does it for me? What foods do I turn to in times of need?
Pancakes always come to mind first for me. They’re the first food I learned to cook when I was 8, and I can whip up a batch blindfolded. Slathered with maple syrup they are near perfection.
Pasta is another favourite. I’m not really a mac ‘n cheese fan, or at least I wasn’t until recently. Instead, I prefer to cook up a heaping plate of spaghetti, and then grate a big pile of cheddar cheese on top. I let the cheese melt a bit, and dig in. Quick and easy, I lived on this stuff when I was cooking only for myself.
But the mother of all comfort foods has got to be ice cream. My poor husband is lactose intolerant, can you imagine? My heart bleeds for him. I remember looking at a poster in my university karate club listing calcium sources, and it included ice cream. I commented to my friend that I was clearly covered, and he stated in disbelief that no one could eat ice cream every day. I backpedaled, “Well, not every day, just a couple times a week, you know…” But I was a big Lying McLiarPants because I did eat a bowl of ice cream every day. Sometimes two. Oh, to be 21 again, when my metabolism allowed for that sort of thing.
To read more about comfort foods, go check out Mommy Melee‘s ‘Girl Talk Thursday.’ I hear she has good stuff to say about Italian deli meats. Or share your favourite comfort foods with me. I know I can’t be the only ice cream fiend out there. 
I forgot about pancakes! I lovvvvve them… yum
Pancakes, YUM!! I love the Ice cream too though!
For me it is white bread toasted with butter….I konw, totally horrendous, but oh so lovely to eat..especially when the butter melts in and makes the bread all soft and mushy.
I’m on board with everyone. Carbs plus cheese equals comfort in my book. And I almost never think of toast, but as soon as someone pops a slice in the toaster I need toast. Oh, and grilled cheese sandwiches. Right, that’s pretty much the bread and cheese thing again, right? Maybe I should be looking for smart food instead…
Apple pie is my FAVORITE comfort food. (I was raised on an apple orchard…)
mmmmmmm…pancakes AND ice cream…oh yaaaa…
Apple Pie with a slice of good old aged cheddar is up there too.
And this mac and cheese: elbow mac (cooked) in a glass dish with eggs (beaten w a bit of milk), grated cheese mixed in and sprinkled on top, bacon on top of that. Bake at 350 for an hour. Mmmmmm.
Celery and peanut butter…there’s always something healthy that’s comforting too ;o)
soft boiled egg with wholemeal bread soldiers and butter ……. never get away with that as a meal anymore!
- unfortunately no more icecream since the gastric flu earlier this year
I’m not a fan of pancakes…but ice cream. Yeah I could write a novel about my love for ice cream.
I am always soothed by couple of favorite Chinese dishes that my parents make. mmmmmm. I can make some of them so far . . .working on it.
Oh I forgot about pancakes. And dim sum. GAH. Now I’m hungry again. Thank you so much for playing along!
Oh, you’ve got me. Pancakes! Spaghetti with so much delicious cheese! And ice cream.
There’s a chance we are foodie soul mates. Just sayin’
Grilled cheese sandwiches, waffles, KFC original fried chicken, and macaroni and cheese are my favorite comfort foods. Ah oh, now I’m feeling like I want a grilled cheese!