I suppose it’s part of being my age, but people just keep dying. Uncles, great uncles, neighbours, friends’ fathers and mothers… we’ve had a spate of bad news the last six months and each time, I’ve turned to either the florist (for those that were far away) or to the stove to show people how sorry I was to hear their sad news.
When I look back at the condoling foods I’ve made over the last six months, strong themes emerge: almost every recipe I’ve made for someone sad has shared two common characteristics: 1) they’ve been foods I love to eat myself; 2) they’ve been laden with comforting calories.
1. Brownies with caramel mascarpone frosting
2. Buttery banana chocolate chip bread
3. Lemon tarts
4. Meatballs with bocconcini in tomato sauce (pictured above)
5. Macaroni and cheese
It could be that I just have rich taste in food, but I think it’s more that misery loves calories. If mourning isn’t the true time for comfort food, when is?
If you wanted to bring someone comfort through food, what would you make them? And, would it be the same thing you’d hope they’d make for you if you were in a similar situation?
