The term comfort food and how it’s defined fascinates me. Restaurants tend to categorize dishes such as meat loaf, mac and cheese and soup as “comfort food.” Soup’s fine, but I don’t find meat loaf or mac and cheese comforting. I don’t even like them. I haven’t eaten meat loaf since I made it for M first time around and that was decades ago. I can’t remember when I last ate mac and cheese. Maybe when I was 22?
But ice cream? That is another story entirely.
Here’s a scenario: Sore throat, congestion. I want me some soup and then I want me some ice cream.
No one here is sick, but we HAVE been following a rather clean eating program for a very long time now. And one night, we wanted ice cream for dinner.
We knew if we went to Safeway and bought some, we’d eat it all. So we did something better: we grabbed Riley, got in the car and went to our local ice cream shop.
When we got there, they told us that, due to a freezer malfunction, they had NO ICE CREAM. Now, you’d think that we’d take that as a message that we should turn around, go home and eat some kale. Oh no.
Because what they DID have was their version of soft-serve, frozen custard.
Now, Michael and I, we know soft-serve because we come from the home of Abbot’s frozen custard. If you know Abbot’s custard, then no other “custard” will do.
Our choices that night were to drive further during evening commute to another shop or to abandon our search for comfort food.
Or eat fake frozen custard. Which is what we did.
It didn’t hold a candle to Abbot’s. But it did the trick. Riley even had some vanilla.
I suppose I should feel like a guilty little piggie, because it takes a boatload of cardio to work off that many calories. But I don’t. I love cardio every day and love ice cream every once in a while.
How about you? When you need some comfort food, what does it for you? How do YOU feel about meat loaf and mac and cheese?
My friends tease me and I really don’t have any comfort foods. Now, I have a shelf filled with comfort books which serve as a distraction from any stress I’m trying to avoid 🙂 – – but I think mine is as simple as I’m not a cook my mother wasnt a cook her mother wasn’t a cook…
And it isn’t necessarily a great thing.
I agree I certainly would not consider a mac as comfort food and have not eaten one for more years than I can remember, mmh not eaten meat loaf either for years although my mum made it regularirly (maybe that’s why I don’t eat it anymore.. lol), with you totally on ice cream though. I don’t really need comfor t food just put a book under my nose and I am well happy.
If you ever get a chance to eat at Smith & Wollensky, give their mac & cheese a try. There is nothing like it, it’s unbelieveably delicious. I do love a good ice cream.
I’ve never been a meatloaf fan,(the meat or the singer), but I’m a sucker for mac and cheese. I rarely eat ice cream and didn’t even as a child. In the winter, a good pot roast simmering in the oven can make me drool. In summer, it’s great salads and grilled veggies that do it for me.
b
I would have to agree that ice cream (chocolate) or chocolate pudding is my food of comfort. I make room for dessert every night. Forget mac&cheese and meatloaf, ice cream for dinner sounds like a winner!
Never been a fan of meatloaf ll I’ll also never been the type of girl to go for ice cream when feeling emotionally off. I go for cheese fries lol or pizza 😉
Occasionally giving into a craving isn’t going to wreck you. Like right now, all I want are cookies, but I know buying a package at the store will result in binge eating. So I use some of my frozen cookie dough from my freezer. Fresh cookies, all the time.
Vegan comfort food is more limited, though I’ve found a local place which does good fruit sorbet. My ‘thing’, though, is toast and jam. Or fresh bread. It’s bread. Definitely bread. Oh good grief, BREAD!
Funny, if you’d asked me 10 years ago, I would have said that ice cream was my comfort food too. But these days, while I still enjoy the taste and texture, my tummy is anything BUT comfortable an hour or so later.
My current comfort food? Oatmeal! With a large spoonful of peanut butter melted on top. Yum, yum, yum!
Carol, I think you and I are the only 2 people in America who don’t like Mac & Cheese. I don’ like meatloaf either. I LOVE ICE CREAM. And I’m like you – if I have it in the house, I eat it until it’s gone! We don’t have much in the way of frozen custard in Houston, but my husband is from Milwaukee, home of the famous Kopp’s custard. I have enjoyed it there several times. A little treat every once in a while is so worth the extra cardio!
I have different go to comfort foods depending on the need. I only like meatloaf if I make it and it’s always with mashed potatoes and peas. Mac n Cheese was never a favorite until they started frying it and/or baking it with tomatoes. I love it now. Some situations just call for a good cup of tea and others lots of ice cream and/or chocolate.
Mac n Cheese is definitely one of mine! Along with pizza and ice cream (with a warm brownie). Pretty much anything that’s terribly for you is a comfort food for me. LOL
According to my mother I used to LOVE meatloaf, but not the thought of it grosses me out. I do however LOVE mac n cheese, but typically don’t just eat it alone. I crave comfort food any time I am stressed (basically always). Food really is my happy place and I get so excited when I know I’ve got something could coming my way!
Since I follow a way of life that doesn’t allow alcohol or drugs I find ways to “comfort” myself and that often – always – means food. Meatloaf and Mac n cheese are on that list.we have a recipe for meatloaf that is amazing. And lobster Mac n cheese? Amazing.
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Because what they DID have was their version of soft-serve, frozen custard.
My friends tease me and I really don’t have any comfort foods. Now, I have a shelf filled with comfort books which serve as a distraction from any stress I’m trying to avoid 🙂 – – but I think mine is as simple as I’m not a cook my mother wasnt a cook her mother wasn’t a cook…
And it isn’t necessarily a great thing.
I agree I certainly would not consider a mac as comfort food and have not eaten one for more years than I can remember, mmh not eaten meat loaf either for years although my mum made it regularirly (maybe that’s why I don’t eat it anymore.. lol), with you totally on ice cream though. I don’t really need comfor t food just put a book under my nose and I am well happy.
I do not really have any comfort foods. I do have foods that I love. Cheetos make me happy. So does chocolate egg cream.
I personally don’t really care for meatloaf. My comfort food is chicken pot pie!
If you ever get a chance to eat at Smith & Wollensky, give their mac & cheese a try. There is nothing like it, it’s unbelieveably delicious. I do love a good ice cream.
I’ve never been a meatloaf fan,(the meat or the singer), but I’m a sucker for mac and cheese. I rarely eat ice cream and didn’t even as a child. In the winter, a good pot roast simmering in the oven can make me drool. In summer, it’s great salads and grilled veggies that do it for me.
b
Nothing better than comfort food after a hard day. I love when a certain meal just brings in a rush of good memories.
I would have to agree that ice cream (chocolate) or chocolate pudding is my food of comfort. I make room for dessert every night. Forget mac&cheese and meatloaf, ice cream for dinner sounds like a winner!
I love comfort foods! My favorite though is chicken noodle soup (I actually make it at least once a week).
My problem is I like food. Ice cream is a treat.
Never been a fan of meatloaf ll I’ll also never been the type of girl to go for ice cream when feeling emotionally off. I go for cheese fries lol or pizza 😉
Funny that you should post this – I just finished having homemade one-ingredient (banana) ice cream 🙂
Ice cream (vegan in my case) solves just about any problems that wine or coffee can’t solve. I love my ice cream in a really crispy cake cone. YUM!
For me it is bridge-mix at See’s candy! And also the traditional Thanksgiving feast. Oh, and key lime pie!
Occasionally giving into a craving isn’t going to wreck you. Like right now, all I want are cookies, but I know buying a package at the store will result in binge eating. So I use some of my frozen cookie dough from my freezer. Fresh cookies, all the time.
I love comfort foods! I agree it is cheaper than therapy! I love french fries or roast beef and rolls!
Vegan comfort food is more limited, though I’ve found a local place which does good fruit sorbet. My ‘thing’, though, is toast and jam. Or fresh bread. It’s bread. Definitely bread. Oh good grief, BREAD!
I run into trouble with it, quite frequently.
Ice cream is definitely on my list, along with pizza and pasta!
Funny, if you’d asked me 10 years ago, I would have said that ice cream was my comfort food too. But these days, while I still enjoy the taste and texture, my tummy is anything BUT comfortable an hour or so later.
My current comfort food? Oatmeal! With a large spoonful of peanut butter melted on top. Yum, yum, yum!
Carol, I think you and I are the only 2 people in America who don’t like Mac & Cheese. I don’ like meatloaf either. I LOVE ICE CREAM. And I’m like you – if I have it in the house, I eat it until it’s gone! We don’t have much in the way of frozen custard in Houston, but my husband is from Milwaukee, home of the famous Kopp’s custard. I have enjoyed it there several times. A little treat every once in a while is so worth the extra cardio!
I have different go to comfort foods depending on the need. I only like meatloaf if I make it and it’s always with mashed potatoes and peas. Mac n Cheese was never a favorite until they started frying it and/or baking it with tomatoes. I love it now. Some situations just call for a good cup of tea and others lots of ice cream and/or chocolate.
LOVE ice cream! Very often have it for dinner, and I am so dedicated to t that I definitely would have driven out of my way for it!
I also love ice cream, it is one of my comfort foods! I love the matcha-flavored sundae!
Mac n Cheese is definitely one of mine! Along with pizza and ice cream (with a warm brownie). Pretty much anything that’s terribly for you is a comfort food for me. LOL
According to my mother I used to LOVE meatloaf, but not the thought of it grosses me out. I do however LOVE mac n cheese, but typically don’t just eat it alone. I crave comfort food any time I am stressed (basically always). Food really is my happy place and I get so excited when I know I’ve got something could coming my way!
Everything chocolate is my comfort food. I always have a stash of chocolate bars just in case.
Since I follow a way of life that doesn’t allow alcohol or drugs I find ways to “comfort” myself and that often – always – means food. Meatloaf and Mac n cheese are on that list.we have a recipe for meatloaf that is amazing. And lobster Mac n cheese? Amazing.
I’m 6 months preggo, so my comfort food changes on a daily basis LOL I do love a good mac & cheese, though. And I’m ALWAYS up for ice cream!