Fustini's Oils and Vinegars

What Makes Comfort Food So...Comforting? 7 Interesting Finds

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When the temperatures drop and the blankets come out, there’s a type of cuisine that becomes all the more appetizing. Whether for emotional or sentimental reasons, we all have those dishes that make us feel happy and, well, comforted. 

Have you ever come home from work or are winding down your day and all you want to eat is just a large bowl of mac’n’cheese? Not the kind you mix from a box but the slow-stirring, melty goodness that reminds you of family dinnertime. That’s comfort food. 

Common types of comfort foods that come to mind include heavy casseroles, stews and breads that tend to be high in both taste and calorie count. Just like everything we consume, this particular category of cuisine also can affect us physically and psychologically. 

But what makes comfort food just so...comforting?  

7 Reasons For the “Comfort” in Comfort Food 

As we’re particularly fond of this category of cuisine, we wanted to find out. Here are some interesting finds about what makes comfort food all the more crave-able. 

1. It Tends to Be High in Calories, Sugar, Fat or Salt 

From a biological standpoint, there’s a reason your body craves more comfort food. When you eat foods high in these components, it triggers the reward system in your brain that’s associated with pleasure. Not only does it delight your tastebuds, but also your brain, too. 

2. It Reminds Us of Happy Times 

One of the key components of the definition of comfort food is the nostalgia it brings with it. Maybe for you, it’s a Saturday morning tradition of pancakes. Or a Sunday evening pizza. Or a large Crockpot of chili to help you get through the long winter months. 

This description of comfort foods doesn’t necessarily require foods to be high in calories, sugar, fat or salt. A freshly-picked Empire apple can bring comfort and remind you of fall afternoons picking apples. 

Regardless of the “health value” of the food, comfort foods extend beyond a biological desire and bring up memories of celebration and of spending time with the people we care about. 

3. It Establishes Connection 

Like reminding us of happier, celebratory moments in life, comfort food can also help us to feel connected to others, particularly family. Comfort foods can cultivate a feeling of connectedness to people who may not be around. For example, a college student living on her own for the first time may whip up a quick grilled cheese and microwave some tomato soup to remind her of spending cold, winter days at home. 

This sense of connection can be even more powerful with individuals who have strong family connections. In fact, people with positive family relationships who were feeling lonely were more likely to get some of their classic comfort foods. 

4. Its Aromas Linger 

Among our five senses, the sense of smell can be one of our most powerful. And when we smell a particular food with a memory, those emotions and feelings come racing in. Smells evoke detailed memories, most often positive and related to social connection. 

Walking by an ice cream store and smelling the fresh-baked waffle cones could remind you of exploring summertime beach towns. A bowl of chicken noodle soup your coworker heats up in the break room microwave brings you back to cold and rainy days playing inside with your siblings. 

The aromas of our go-to comfort foods can’t escape us. When we smell them, we know. 

5. It’s Unique to You 

While there’s an entire category of cuisine dedicated to comfort food, not everyone has the same preferences on tastes or go-to dishes. 

Much of what we consider to be comfort foods is based on our upbringing and what memories we have associated with foods. While from a nutritional standpoint, foods higher in fat, sugar, calories do indeed make us feel good temporarily, other indicators of what makes a comfort food comfort for us is subjective. 

In fact, our preferences for what’s comforting to us may also be based on gender. This study found that while men preferred foods like soup or pizza, women favored ice cream and chocolate more often. 

You may be all about those shrimp and grits. Your friend may swear by a bowl of chili and a loaf of sourdough. 

6. It’s Usually Simple to Prepare

There are some days where you’re eager to cook up something with a lot of preparation steps and a long list of ingredients. It can be fun, exciting and a great way to spend time together. 

But there are also times when you want a simple and traditional approach to preparing and cooking. Making comfort foods tend to fall into this latter category. While they still may have a long list of ingredients or take hours to cook, the steps involved are fairly well-known and straightforward.  

7. It’s Not Just for Special Occasions 

Often, comfort foods are associated with traditional holidays like Thanksgiving, Easter or Christmas. Sure, more mashed potatoes or slow-roasted poultry or meat may be consumed on these days, but comfort food can be enjoyed year-round.  

So if you’re all about those slow-cooker stews, don’t just save them for Sunday afternoons while watching football. Surprise your family on a weeknight or try out something new with comforting foods. 

Top Comfort Food Recipes -- Fustinified 

Ready to whip up some comfort foods for yourself? Whether you stick to your tried and true recipes or are seeking some new versions of your classics, we’re here to help. By incorporating healthy ingredients like balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil, you can add on flavor without compromising your health. Here we share just a few of our many comfort food recipes you can try out today. 

Mac ‘n Cheese - bring a new take on an old favorite with this baked version, with surprise ingredients of Horseradish Mustard and Worcestershire Sauce

Lasagna - amp up the nutritional value of this classic comfort by adding in vibrant and fresh veggies like spinach, zucchini and tomato. 

French Onion Soup - add a boost of the flavor of this traditional soup with ingredients like beef stock and Fustini’s Sherry Vinegar. This soup is also often served best with a toasted baguette and shredded Gruyere cheese. 

Grilled Cheese - drizzle some Pesto olive oil or Tuscan Herb olive oil on your bread before assembling your sandwich for an extra boost of flavor. 

Chicken & Dumplings - try your hand at this family favorite that includes some healthy veggies and homemade dumplings. 

Pizza - whether you choose to make your own dough or not, you can’t go wrong with this family favorite, great for all occasions. Try it Chicago deep dish style, on the grill or even for breakfast.  

Pancakes - start your morning on a high note with these pancakes made with almond milk and West Michigan Blueberry balsamic vinegar

Mashed Potatoes - make them how you like, even adding in new flavors like Garlic and Chive to transform your tastebuds. 

Shrimp & Grits - stick to the classic recipe and add some delightful flavoring notes of Meyer Lemon, Chipotle and even Cilantro & Onion

Chicken Noodle Soup - with great flavor combinations in this recipe like Oregano and Sage and Wild Mushrooms, adding the chicken is up to you. 

Find Some Comfort in Your Food 

There’s something wonderful about the category of cuisine that brings comfort. From establishing an emotional connection or reminding you of happy times, comfort foods are unique to us and are something we can celebrate. Bring out a recipe you haven’t made in a while or try one of our favorites here and get cooking. 

What’s your go-to comfort food? Let us know here in the comments or on our social media accounts! 

 

 

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