13.1.08

comfort foods

why do the best comfort foods come from younger times? is it because when we grow older (not old, just more mature) we insist our foods need to mature too? can you name a comfort food that you discovered when you were past adolescence? is it merely the memory of childhood that gives food that smooth on the tastebuds, soft in the belly comfort?

dinner and food was never a big production in our family when i was a young child. my parents certainly prepared things with loving care, and we always sat down together for our evening meal. i fondly remember my dad making sun tea, and watching it change color on the windowsill, eagerly awaiting a cuppa. when i was a teenager i remember absolutely loving the late afternoon snack of
ellio's pizza popped in the toaster oven. i know, hardly really a comfort food, but i loved it. sometime last year i broke down and bought a box! i hadn't had a slice of that frozen baby in like 15 years ... and it was disgusting! maybe they changed their secret recipe?! ;)

but another comfort food i remember my mom serving was
sloppy joes. loved them! (okay, for me, the definition of comfort food doesn't necessarily mean "home-made" it just has to mean, well, comfy.) last time i had those on my plate was probably 20 years ago! but i've been feeling sick again this weekend, so what better time to curl up with a meal from a can and watch the GIANTS WIN!!

despite the high fructose corn syrup, my little sloppy joe wasn't too bad. next time i may try to make it from scratch, a haute couture sloppy joe. but no matter what form your comfort food comes in, here's to an old friend!


and here's an easy side dish. we had white sweet potatoes, but could work with any kind.

roasted white sweet potatoes: serves 4

4-5 medium white sweet potatoes (about 2 lbs)

salt + pepper

olive oil

1. preheat oven to 375F.


2. scrub potato skins. slice crosswise about 1 1/2". toss in bowl with olive oil, salt and pepper.


3. place potatoes face down on baking sheet (NOT non-stick) and roast for about 40 minutes or until browned and tender.

2 comments:

  1. This sounds delicious!

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  2. thanks deborah! at first i was like, uhh, no actually sloppy joes aren't delicious! but then i remembered i put up the roasted white potato recipe up too. at least, i *think* that's what you're referring to! :)

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