80 December 2014 www.womanthismonth.com she says A Mouthful of Comfort There’s so much more to food than nutrients and calories says Behnaz Sanjana. With a generous dash of affection and a pinch of goodwill thrown in, it has the power to erase boundaries, forge friendships, and summon sweet nostalgia. After a rough night with an ill toddler, my soul ached for toast and honey. I wasn’t even hungry. I was fatigued, spaced-out, zombie-like. The very thought of crispy, warm bread covered with a salty layer of butter and a golden dribble of honey gave me hope for the day ahead. It made the prospect of monitoring temperatures and forcing medication down a cranky, unwell child seem a trifle easier. OK, it was brown bread and raw, organic honey. But I cannot and will not compromise on my butter. Are you listening, Dr. Oz? No wonder they call it ‘comfort food’. Flavoursome chicken soup for the sneezing soul; freshly baked mac- and-cheese to warm the freezing soul; chocolate-coated strawberries with cream - summer on a plate! There are many times in life when one just wants to curl up with a good read (or in front of the box) with a meal that tastes familiar and soothing. It always takes precedence over a five star restaurant’s signature dish whose name is too perplexing to pronounce. Besides, you can’t be scraping your plate and licking your spoon clean when a Michelin star menu is involved, can you? In my household, the ultimate heart warmer is yellow lentils and rice, in all its glorious versions and variations. It’s the ultimate go-to dish for sick children, auspicious occasions and when the ‘Home Minister’ is stretched too thin. There isn’t another dish in the food dictionary that makes my young ones smile so wide. “And please don’t forget the butter on top,” they remind me. Ah, just plain sinful! Browsing through my favourite recipe book, I realised it isn’t just the taste of a particular food that makes one feel all warm and fuzzy inside: it’s the smells, sounds and sights we associate with that food, bringing that comforting rush of memories and solace to fill our spirits. That jolly banter at the dining table, that playful teasing between friends or cousins and the aroma of a mother’s love wafting through the kitchen - bliss. My love affair with the aforementioned toast and honey dates back to more carefree days. It was that quick mid-morning break with colleagues at the makeshift office pantry where I first bit into that sweet crunch. What kicked started yours? With the ‘eating-out’ culture that has tightly gripped the island we live on, it’s no surprise new food joints keep multiplying all over. Why not choose to go for real comfort this weekend. Hop over to some place where you can lay your hands on some finger-licking home cooked goodness. If mum’s far away, recreate the magic in your own kitchen. Some trusted bonhomie serves as the perfect accompaniment. Your waistline will thank you later.
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