The rich flavors, comforting smells and warm textures can summon us back to childhood, remind us of loved ones or simply provide us with a moment of comfort. Comfort foods are high on that list, from creamy mashed potatoes to filling stews, and they hit the heart of millions. So let’s go on a trip around the world to learn about some of the most beloved comfort foods, what they mean to their culture and why they’re still such a favorite.
Macaroni and Cheese (U. S.)
Macaroni and cheese is probably one of the ultimate comfort foods in America. It is nearly impossible to resist a bowl of pasta slathered with creamy, gooey cheese sauce. macaroni-and-cheese origins go back to 18th-century European recipes, but it was in the 19th century that it became a hugely popular dish in the U.S. because of its use of cheddar cheese. For many, it is the simplicity of the dish that makes it so comforting. It’s hearty, delicious and infinitely adaptable: you can top it with a dusting of crumbs for texture, you can stir in vegetables, bacon or even lobster for a fancy variation.
Mashed Potatoes (Global)
Mashed potatoes are comfort Food the world over. Whether you’re here in the U.S., all the way in the U.K. or anywhere in between, this dish is a beacon of comfort. The secret to good mashed potatoes is the creamy goodness year the butter, milk creamy and seasoning brings. Mashed potatoes are a mainstay of holiday meals for many, especially Thanksgiving and Christmas. There’s a kind of universal cheer in serving yourself a scoop of mashed potatoes (with gravy, or with a roast dinner). Not only from the way it tastes but from the memory of family gatherings and celebrations.
Ramen (Japan)
By now, internationally-renowned Japanese noodle soup ramen is a global craze, but the book’s roots are steep in Japanese culinary history. Noodles are typically wheat flour and served with a variety of toppings in a thick hearty broth. Within Japan, there are numerous regional varieties, from miso-based broths to soy sauce, or pork bone. The pleasure of ramen lies in its warm, savory broth and in the blessed sound of slurping noodles. I’m not alone in this belief, but you don’t have to subscribe to it as a worldview to enjoy it, because it’s a dish that sustains belly and soul alike, and can be particularly adjusted for those rainy days or when you simply need a little uplifting.
Chicken Soup (Global)
Chicken soup is colloquially known as “Jewish penicillin,” and for good reason — the dish has long been hailed as a cure-all for the common cold and flu. It’s one of the oldest comfort foods, invoking reverence from cultures around the world, from Jewish to Chinese, to French and more. The soup’s reparative qualities come from the nourishing chicken stock, rich in vitamins and minerals, as well as the soft flavors of carrots, celery and herbs. Chicken soup is the kind of food that you feel better in nearly the moment you pick up the spoon. It is the near very definition of comfort food, a dish generally associated with nurturing and care, and it can be a love language if prepared for you by a parent or grandparent.
Shepherd’s Pie (U.K. and Ireland)
Shepherd’s pie is a robust, hearty U.K.- and Ireland-inspired dish. It consists of minced lamb (or beef, in the case of a cottage pie), vegetables like peas and carrots, all slathered under a golden crunchy blanket of biscuity mashed potatoes. Savory meat, vegetables and creamy mashed potatoes combined, it’s truly comfort food at its best. Shepherd’s pie is the quintessential comfort food, not just because it’s hearty but also because it’s cheap and easy to make. Its origins date to the 18th century, when it was created to use up leftover meat, but it has become a staple of British and Irish kitchens.
Pizza (Italy)
Pizza isn’t one of those dishes that is automatically put in the comfort-food category, like a soup or a casserole, but for millions of people around the world, there isn’t much food that can revive a jaded appetite like a pizza. There’s just something about that crispy crust, tangy tomato sauce, melty cheese and infinite topping combinations that is somehow deeply comforting and nostalgic. Pizza can also make a meal feel like a celebration, whether it’s a traditional simple Margherita, a meat lover’s pizza or something a bit more adventurous. Its wide-ranging versatility and its deep global popularity really do render it a universal comfort food.
Chili (United States)
Chili is a spicy, rich stew, which has emerged as popular comfort food in all parts of the United States. Widely made with ground beef, beans, tomatoes (and an entire spice cabinet), chili is one of the best meals for warming up on a cold day. Some also use compressed or added ingredients such as bacon, cheese, and even chocolate to intensify the flavors. Chili is typically accompanied by cornbread, rice or tortilla chips, adding a crunch to each mouthful. It’s also a dish that brings people together — frequently served at family dinners, cookouts or while watching sports — rendering it both comforting and something best enjoyed together.
Poutine (Canada)
One of the guilty pleasures: Quebec-based Canadian poutine. It includes golden fries topped with cheese curds and smothered in gravy. A mix of hot, crispy potatoes, gooey cheese and salty gravy, poutine is great comfort food, especially during those cold winter months. The food gained international notoriety and became a late-night snack from several cases. The lowly trappings of poutine conceal the decadence and, moreover, satisfaction that it imparts. It’s the kind of food that warms the soul and climbs into place with every bite.
Biryani (India)
Biryani is a spice-scented rice dish that traces its inception to South Asia but is ubiquitous in India and Pakistan. It’s typically made with basmati rice, meat (chicken, mutton or beef) and a blend of spices including saffron, cumin and cardamom. Biryani typically uses a slow-cooked process to enhance the taste, creating a filling and tasty dish. The clump of rice laced with aromatic spices and succulent meat makes for a hearty meal often saved for celebratory banquets, weddings and festivals. The rich flavor profile of biryani makes it ideal comfort food for the bold-terrian.
French Toast (France and the United States)
French toast — eggy bread in some parts of the world — is a common breakfast food in many countries. It involves slices of bread soaked in a batter of eggs, milk, and spices, then fried in a skillet until golden and crispy. French toast is also usually served with a drizzle of syrup, a sprinkle of powdered sugar or fresh fruit or whipped cream. That comforting thing you find in the dish you make in its crisp outsides and custardlike insides. It’s the perfect food for a slow-moving morning, or as a special sweet treat on a weekend, wrapping you in a hug of warmth and comfort.
Conclusion
In a world that’s fracturing and dividing, comfort foods are borderless, cultureumending, and not subject to personal likes and dislikes. And they are reminder of simpler times; they give us assurance in our difficult times, and wrap us in warmth and feeling of contentment. Be it a bowl of macaroni and cheese, a steaming shepherd’s pie or a slice of French toast — these foods have staked a claim to our hearts for a reason. Food is not mere food; food is emotional nourishment, food is memories, food is tradition, food is love. All you touch will receive the history and the riches of the multi-sensorial and the mult Beguman.
