Feest Isolation Days – 2 October
As the weekend approaches, the Met office promises us wind rain and cold all weekend! Storm Alex is on its way! It must then be time for a little bit of comfort food. (As though we haven’t been having any of that for the past seven months!) Still, it’s a new month and we only have another few weeks before the light fades, the heat is permanently on and the clocks go back. Oh goodie.
In preparation for these inevitabilities, memories of a few dishes that keep us all delighted with food seems in order. Who needs restaurants and pubs with lovely log fires and warmth and yummy food? Okay, we do. But as we can’t have them just now, we can indulge in a few of those meals that make you feel comforted along with a good book or two and then hunker down.
Different polls have different results of what constitutes the nation’s favourite comfort food. But in three different UK polls of over 2000 people each, the only food to be mentioned in the top ten of all three? A Bacon Sandwich!
Two of the lists also shared Fish and Chips in second place (nice – no cooking required- the fish person can do that for most people) The other shared foods on the list were Pizza, A Roast Dinner, Crisps and A Full English Breakfast.
Haven’t these people heard of Cauliflower Cheese and mashed potatoes? Or Cod in cheesy sauce with mashed potatoes? Or indeed Ice cream!
Apparently, the British pallet when looking for comfort goes first to savoury food then sweet. Except one survey where chocolate came first. That was conducted by The Lady magazine. I didn’t even know that was still being published. I suspect its readership tells you a lot about those putting chocolate at the top of the list.
This magazine has been published continuously since 1885. The readership, it would appear, is largely female and chocolate remains their go to for comfort.
When asked why people wanted to eat comfort food, each survey had the same reason on top of the list. Stress! We all want to be comforted from our stress by food. (I thought that was what wine was for?)
As Friday night is wine night, I will be imbibing. Not that I feel particularly stressed at the moment. But when I am, it will most likely be cauli cheese and mash. My top of a long list of comfort foods. What’s yours?
Helen Reddy who sang one of the anthems of my youth died this week. Helen co wrote with Ray Burton – and I especially love that sort of inclusivity – “I Am Woman”.
She said all the songs about women at the time (1970s) were about dainty women and she wanted to redress that balance. The first words of the song, “I am woman hear me roar!” certainly did that! She eventually won a Grammy for her performance and when she accepted it said at the ceremony, “I’m thanking God for this because she makes everything possible.”
My kind of woman….
Rest in peace Helen…or maybe just ROAR!
Have a great weekend and see you next week. Enjoy!
With love
Kathy x