Winter calls for comfort food. But what is comfort food? And why do we love it, and need it so?
What sets it apart from ‘restaurant’ food is that comfort food is cooked for people about whom we care, and because of this, there will always be a distinctive taste difference. Your mom’s famous roast chicken will never be beaten. For Brad it is his mom’s tomato bredie, and his wife, Tara’s, macaroni cheese. “Mmm, she makes a good one.” smiles Brad.
At home the whole family can be involved in preparing such a meal. Comfort food does not need a gourmet to make it great. “Bring in the kids” encourages Brad, “If they’re young like my son, Kade, let them make macaroni necklaces. Let the experience bring you closer together.”
The Braised Oxtail is at the top of DISH’s comfort food list for Brad. For him, it brings back days on the farm when the oxtail was done in the potjie. It tastes of friends around the fire, laughing and strumming a guitar. It’s rustic and robust.
Don’t we all want to taste this? Especially when life is throwing us its challenges? Comfort food is the “feel good” food that lifts us, and grounds us. It gives us a sense of self and continuity. And it’ll see us through the winter.
Also try DISH’s:
Braised Lamb Shank - camping, crisp fresh air, crickets out-chirping the crackling fire,
Caramelised Pork Belly - Christmas feasts, crispy crackling, brandy, family members trying to talk louder than each other.
