Comfort food

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The term comfort food refers to a variety of familiar, simple foods that are usually home-cooked or eaten at informal restaurants. It may also describe informal foods that are emotionally significant to a person or group of people.

Contents 1 Description 2 Types of comfort foods 2.1 United States 2.2 Canada 2.3 Ireland 2.4 Indian 2.5 Japan 2.6 China 2.7 Philippines 2.8 United Kingdom 2.9 Spain 2.10 Mexico 2.11 Brazil 2.12 Argentina 2.13 Italy 3 References 4 External links

[edit] Description

Comfort food is typically inexpensive, uncomplicated, and easy to prepare. Many people turn to comfort food for familiarity, emotional security, or as a special reward. The reasons a dish becomes comfort food are diverse but often include pleasant associations of childhood^[1]. Small children often seem to latch on to a specific food or drink (in a way similar to a security blanket) and will repeatedly request it in high stress situations. Adults eat comfort food for a sense of continuity.

The term "comfort food" was added to the Webster's Dictionary in 1972.

[edit] Types of comfort foods

Various foods or snacks could fill the urge for a comfort food depending on a person's taste, but in any given culture or cuisine there are foods that become universally accepted comfort foods.

Comfort food has always been the staple of diners and other informal restaurants, as well as home cooking. Traditionally, there has been an emphasis on authenticity and low cost. One recent development, however, as chefs have explored the roots of American cuisine and tried to define it as a unique style, is the advent of fine dining comfort food restaurants that feature more careful cooking and presentation, higher quality and fresh organic ingredients, and consequently, higher prices.^[2]

[edit] United States

Favorite home-made comfort foods in the US include meatloaf, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes (or twice-baked potato), applesauce, fried chicken, chicken noodle soup, pizza, peanut butter, ice cream, and bacon, eggs, and hash browns for breakfast. Many creative mixes of foods have emerged, but probably would be too individualized to be considered authentically accepted comfort foods. Some also would consider potato chips as comfort food.

[edit] Canada

Comfort food in Canada has many similarities with comfort food in the United States. However, distinctively Canadian comfort food exists. These include poutine, which originated in the province of Quebec and is considered a distinctive part of Québécois cuisine, as well as beaver tail pastries in eastern Canada. The former consists of french fries with cheese curds and gravy, while the latter is a Canadian equivalent of fried dough. Macaroni & cheese, tourtière and mashed potatoes are popular comfort foods in Canada.

[edit] Ireland

Typical comfort foods in Ireland are boiled stews such as Irish stew and coddle and basic pork dishes such as the full Irish breakfast. These are typically served with soda bread and butter. Desserts include Goody and Barmbrack.

[edit] Indian

Comfort food for vegetarians in the North include Dhal ( lentil) and Roti ( bread). In the South it is rice and Sambar. In the East it would be rice and fish.

[edit] Japan

Japan has many types of comfort food, typically simple, hearty, inexpensive dishes like miso soup, onigiri, ramen , or Japanese curry.^[3]

[edit] China

An example of a comfort food eaten in China is Congee, often eaten when one is sick.

[edit] Philippines

Filipino comfort food is synonymous with home-cooked meals. It is also associated with street food such as balut, isaw, mani, mais, chocolate, and the ubiquitous ice cream.

[edit] United Kingdom

In the UK, the term "nursery food" has a similar meaning, although it also refers to food given to young children. It may refer to childhood favorites that are still enjoyed in adulthood, such as boiled eggs and soldiers (the soldiers being buttered toast cut into strips and dipped into the egg yolk). Traditional dishes that are often considered comfort foods in the United Kingdom include stews - especially in northern England, and "bangers and mash" (sausages and mashed potatoes). Rich steamed puddings, made from flour and suet and with considerable quantities of added sugar and spice, are also popularly considered to fall into this category. Fish and chips, Indian curries and pizza are also a popular comfort food choice.

[edit] Spain

Fried eggs with fries or rice are some common comfort foods in Spain.

[edit] Mexico

Milanesa de res o pollo (chicken fried steak or chicken); quesadillas; sopa de fideo (vermiccelli soup); tacos; and beans. Chicken stock with vegetables, scrambled eggs with onion, tomato and serrano chile, enchiladas and huevos rancheros are some of many comfort foods in Mexico.

[edit] Brazil

Rice and Beans with Steak and Fries (Arroz e Feijão com Bife e Batata Frita), Beef Escabeche (Carne Louca/ Maluca), Beef Stroganoff, Arracacha Soup (Sopa de Mandioquinha), Bean Soup (Sopa de Feijão) and fried eggs are some of the main comfort foods appreciated in Brazil.

[edit] Argentina

Milanesa (Breaded Meat) with Fries, Empanadas, Choripan,Sausages with Mashed Potatoes, Pasta with Butter and Parmesan, Canelones with Tomato Sauce, Flan with Dulce de Leche, Alfajor.mate con bizcochitos de grasa, pascualina, cerveza Quilmes, churrasco a la parrilla con ensalada mixta, filet de merluza con pure de papas.

[edit] Italy

Comfort food in Italy varies a great deal from the north to the south of the country, due to local traditions. Spaghetti seasoned with extra virgin olive oil and garlic spaghetti aglio e olio are very popular. Pizza, cannelloni filled with beef, lasagne, mortadella sandwiches are a favourite. Among the sweet foods, a chocolate spread called Nutella has acquired a cult status in the comfort food world after director Nanni Moretti portrayed a character gorging on it in the film "Bianca". A recipe which has acquired a similar status in the public mind is fritatta con le cipolle, an onion omelette, after the very popular comedy character Fantozzi, portrayed by Paolo Villaggio, enjoys one while watching a football match.

[edit] References

• "Comfort foods" by Rachael Ray (ISBN 1-891105-05-1)
• "This Is Delicious! What Is It?: An Eclectic Collection of International Comfort Foods" by Robert Meyers-Lussier (ISBN 0-595-30505-9)

[edit] External links

• Gender preferences in "comfort" foods stem from childhood
• Comfort Food on Chefs.com Recipes and articles about comfort food.
• Comfort Food Article What is Comfort food?
• Comfort Food and you - A scientific look at comfort foods from the Science Creative Quarterly