Comfort food

Who doesn’t love comfort food? It is an edible hug. When we want to feel better, either from an illness or emotionally, we turn to comfort food. As the weather gets cooler, my soup and chili recipes come out. A big favorite at our house is split pea soup. Out comes the Instant Pot. I am in love with my Instant Pot, a modern-day pressure cooker. It is so easy — a bag of dried peas, a ham hock, chicken broth and a few special spices. Once the ingredients are in the cooker, it is sealed, and before you know it, the aroma of the soup fills the house.

As Thanksgiving approaches, there are lots of comforting foods involved. These foods are tied to strong memories and traditions. Our family has favorites that never change. They include green bean casserole, a daughter-in-law spinach salad, turkey brined and roasted, fresh cranberry relish, stuffing, and always mashed potatoes from scratch. Big Guy ensures there is an assortment of pies. He feels challenged to test each pie offered by local grocery stores and bakeries, leading up to the big holiday. There is nothing like the combined aromas emanating from the kitchen on Thanksgiving Day. I have Kodak memory of my Baltimore grandmother’s Thanksgiving table. Traveling from Chicago, we would join our cousins, aunts, and uncles around a vast, beautifully set table. Norman Rockwell would have been inspired.

Those who study foods that reward us with good feelings share that it is partly chemical — the foods release opioid-based chemicals. Carbohydrates increase brain levels of serotonin, a chemical that enhances mood. For some of us, sweets bring comfort.

Comfort food is tied to memories for many. Our family has always been breakfast eaters. When my three boys were growing up, we would have big weekend breakfasts — they called them “truck driver’s breakfasts.” Eggs, pancakes, sausage and toast. Every once in a while, a favorite, French toast would appear on the menu. Once I moved to the South, biscuits became an option. Again, the combination of strong memories, tempting aroma and good food brings comfort.

Different countries around the world have dishes traditionally known as favorites and cultural comfort food. Canada has its poutine — french fries with cheese curds and gravy. Glad I don’t live in Canada. France, not surprisingly, has French onion soup. Greece, moussaka, a heavy casserole with layers of eggplant, minced meat, and a rich sauce. Italy, lasagna is a universal favorite.

So what are the top comfort foods in the United States? Mac and cheese, chicken soup, mashed potatoes, pizza and chocolate brownies. Works for me!