A Taste of Haldimand – February 27, 2025

The wind is blowing, and snow and ice are covering the ground. This is “comfort food season” for me. At this time of the year, I crave soups, stews, and creamy thick casseroles. I spent some time contemplating the concept of comfort food. Of course, I also googled “what is comfort food”, just to see what came up. An article on the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada website, entitled “Balance Comfort Food and Nutrition” written by registered dietitian Cara Rosenbloom, was interesting. She states, “Whether it’s a beloved meal from Grandma’s kitchen or the first bite of a favourite snack, food has the power to make us feel good. What we think of as ‘comfort foods’ are usually options that provide a feeling of wellbeing and are often associated with a positive memory”.

I wanted to see if that held true, so asked a few friends and family members about their comfort foods and why they provided comfort for them. Almost everyone stated a warm dish. They listed meals of homemade meatloaf, homemade soups and warm bread, grilled cheese sandwiches, stews, garlic pork, and chili. Most said they enjoyed these more in the fall and winter seasons. One person, however, indicated that the familiar chicken noodle soup and toast with tea were eaten year-round because it just made them feel better. These simple dishes were comforting as they brought to mind memories of home, family, and made you feel like a kid again.