I was reading an article the other day about comfort food and how it can boost serotonin levels.
It got me to thinking about what my comfort food is. To be honest I didn't have to think for long. The answer is the same as it was when I as a teen: Lamb chops, mash and veg.
When I was twenty one years old and had been "back-packing" around the USA for 6 months (I use the term "back-packing" loosely as I didn't own a backpack and while I did travel around the USA a lot on my own, I had a very comfortable and loving family in PA that were my home base), Mum asked me what I wanted for my first meal home.
Simple.
Lamb chops.
This was probably a bit of a downer for Mum given she's a damn good chef that has created amazing gourmet meals over my life time. Really, all you want is lamb chops?
I'm not talking fancy lamb chops here either people. I'm talking fatty-whack-them-on-the-grill-and-smother-them-with-tomato-sauce lamb chops.
I used to eat them a lot in my mid-late teens because it was my Dad's go-to meal when Mum wasn't there to cook. She spent a lot of time in hospital over three years battling (and winning) her leukemia war. You might think that the lamb chops would therefore remind me of a very scary and emotional time in my life. But no. It was the lamb chops and Dad's ability to cook them that somehow gave me comfort.
If I've been sick and am finally starting to feel human again I immediately think of lamb chops.
If I've been away from home and just want a good old fashioned home cooked meal I think of lamb chops.
If I'm sad and need a boost I think of lamb chops.
The weird thing is they are not a regular part of our menu planning. I mean, we have them from time to time, but not often. My hubster knows they are my comfort food so they are usually reserved for when Leanne needs comfort.
Of course I have other go-to meals too. Vegemite toast is the only thing I'll eat when nauseous. BBQ chicken is the food I prefer when I've got migraine. Pizza is the food I choose when I'm absolutely starving and I just want to stuff my face. But lamb chops are my comfort food.
What foods do you turn to?
Do you have a comfort food?
How did your comfort food come into play?
Anyone else get great comfort out of good ol' Aussie chippy chops?
For me, it's mash :)
ReplyDeleteCan't go past mash!
DeleteIf I have been unwell it's chicken veggie soup, otherwise there is something real warm and comforting about roast chicken. Seems it's chicken all the way for me :)
ReplyDeleteRoast chicken is a good one.
DeleteI think nearly all food is my comfort food. That's kind of my problem....
ReplyDeleteI hear you!!
DeleteLOL.
DeleteA hot curry- Indian, not thai.
ReplyDelete:)
DeleteMy personal comfort food is fairy bread. For a meal it would have to be spaghetti bolognaise! #TeamIBOT
ReplyDeleteThat is so cute, Bec!
DeleteFairy bread! That's so sweet.
DeleteIf I need to eat my feelings, whether they're good or bad, I choose dumplings every time but if I'm a bit sick or need to feed my soul, then there's nothing that a bowl of homemade chicken soup can't fix!
ReplyDeleteChicken soup is a good old fashioned staple for sure.
DeleteRoast chicken and mash potatoes. I think mind is also a childhood throwback. I love vegemite toast when I'm under the weather too. And chocolate. I also love chilli. I have a lot of comfort foods :-/
ReplyDeleteHaha. You're not alone with the many comfort foods it seems.
DeleteFor me it would be my golden syrup dumplings or a roast dinner but it would have to be one of my aunt's baked dinners which would mean a trip back to NSW.
ReplyDeleteMy mum makes the best caramel dumplings which I think are similar. They are usually reserved for my birthday.
DeleteWe all have a comfort food mine is Pancakes my dad made the best pancakes and anytime I eat them I have great memories of dad . I'm not really a meat eater I used to love meat but as I've gotten older I might have meat once a month . If I was to choose a comfort meal it would be a vegetarian fried rice it's something that no matter where I am I really love my fried rice
ReplyDeletePancakes is a new one! :)
DeleteRoast chicken for me but I also love lamb chops. They were all I wanted during my second pregnancy!
ReplyDeleteRoast chicken seems to be a favourite for many people.
DeleteA spicy laksa! Weird comfort food, but it works every time :).
ReplyDeleteLaksa is good, that's for sure. Not one of my comfort foods but definitely a good choice.
DeleteWe have a tuna or seafood mornay type dish that was a family recipe that we've updated to our tastes. I cannot go past it!
ReplyDeleteOooh, that's a new one!
DeleteSo chocolate is my comfort food, but it's not really a food is it? In that case, I'd have to say a Mexican chili con carne that I make topped with avocado, sour cream and with rice and corn chips :)
ReplyDeleteThat sounds fantastic. Sounds like one of our Friday night meals when we have family movie time.
DeleteFor me it's my mums homemade rissoles, mash and gravy. Nothing is better than a meal cooked by your mum.
ReplyDeleteThis is true Beck ... Mum's cooking is always the best. Gotta love a good Aussie rissole.
DeleteHot chips is my fave thing ever. Always. Also chocolate. And wine.
ReplyDeleteBut - in terms of what really nourishes me mentally it's some of my mum's homecooking... her roasts (cos of the gravy) and a braised steak she cooks etc.. With mashed potato. Yummmm....
We've got a few hot chip lovers and chocolate is a given I think. We've also got loads of roasts and mash. Seems like a fave all round!
DeleteI joined Denyse's link-up today and included mum's braised steak and roast on the list!!!
DeleteMy comfort food is a cold Milo with about a million heaped teaspoons of Milo in it and very little milk :)
ReplyDeleteOooh, I remember those days. Good ol' Milo ...
DeleteChocolate is my comfort food. But I find my tastes change. I love salty hot chips with tomato sauce or wedges with sour cream and sweet chilli sauce!
ReplyDeleteThere are a few chocolate and chip lovers Bec. You're not alone!
DeleteI have many comfort foods, but lately it's anything I can make in the slow cooker so I can come home after a hard days work to dinner ready and waiting in the slow cooker - curry, casserole, roasts, etc. I also can't go past a big pot of home made soup for belly warming comfort. Is wine a comfort food? ;)
ReplyDeleteWinter = slow cooker. Yep. And wine is definitely a comfort food in this forum ...
DeleteA spag bol will do it for me. Or toasted chicken and cheese sandwiches. Scrambled eggs. Just the basics that remind you that life is meant to be simple.
ReplyDeleteAh yes, I think you nailed it. It's the simple foods that seem to bring people the most comfort.
DeleteHot chips. Or pizza. But mostly hot chips. Oh how I love them!
ReplyDeleteYou're not alone Jess! There are quite a few people finding comfort in hot chips.
DeleteMum's baked dinners and Mum's lamb cutlets...sadly no longer have Mum around and I can do a good lamb cutlet meal. Yummo on the lamb..but it is so freaking expensive!!
ReplyDeleteLamb is expensive! Remember when you could buy lamb shanks for a dollar each? Apparently lamb shanks are made of gold these days ...
DeleteMashed potato for me too - if I'm sick, then KFC's potato and gravy is about the only thing I want. I also like pasta, roast dinners and casseroles.
ReplyDeleteLamb chops mmmmm. Also chocolate. And I'm a cereal girl too - Uncle Toby's Plus is my favourite at the moment :-)
ReplyDeleteFresh white bread and butter with pretty much anything on the bread, vegemite, jam, peanut butter, hot chips and sauce you name it the topping makes nought difference if it is fresh white bread from the bakery!
ReplyDeleteAnything smothered in gravy. There's a pub here that does cheap roast meals and I love them.
ReplyDeleteLately it's been a burger and chips because I'm in the US and usually when I want comfort food I don't really want to have to cook it myself.
ReplyDeleteWhen I'm at home in Oz it's chicken and mushroom pie. Yummo.
Yummo again!! I like fairy bread too...so there, another comfort food on the list. Happy writing day!!
ReplyDeleteI don;t think I have a comfort food meal as such - does chocolate count????
ReplyDelete