Some foods are more widely loved than others. While some foods are hated, others are enjoyed, and then there are the foods that evoke emotional responses. They summon feelings of safety, of contentment, and of nostalgia. These are comfort foods. Comfort foods are very personal, and can vary wildly depending on culture, geography, and personal preference. However, a common tether between the comfort foods of many is childhood.

Some people enjoy comfort foods more than others. One factor that affects how much a person enjoys comfort food is brain chemistry. The New York Times states that “People who are especially sensitive to sweetness — who can detect sweet flavors at lower concentrations than others and who often have a ‘sweet tooth’ — have stronger brain-reward responses to sugary foods than less sweet-sensitive people do.” Although not all comfort foods are sweet, some people are more chemically susceptible to the mood-lifting effects of sugar. Furthermore, a person’s relationships can affect how much they enjoy comfort food. In a study reported by The Atlantic, participants self-assessed their attachment styles through descriptions that represented them. Half of them were then asked to remember a conflict with a loved one. When given potato chips afterward, those who reflected on a painful memory rated the chips tastier, though only among those who had a secure attachment style. Those with more insecure attachment styles had no notable difference. Because of this, the scientists conducting the experiment believe: “Comfort food’s power may lie primarily in the associations it calls to mind. People who have positive family relationships are more likely to reach for reminders of those relationships in times of sadness—and often, those reminders come in the form of something edible.” The stronger a person’s emotional connections, the more likely they are to enjoy comfort food.

The first recorded use of the phrase “comfort food” was in 1965, as reported by National Geographic. Nowadays, there is more information on comfort food and how it comforts, and we have more of an idea why we crave it in certain situations. Whether it is paella or cake, chicken soup or ice cream, comfort food has become a part of our modern culture.

Ingredients

3 tbsp olive oil

1 yellow onion (diced)

1 potato (diced)

4 large garlic cloves or 1 tsp of garlic powder

1 ½ pounds ground beef

1 tsp cumin

1 tsp salt (to taste)

8 ounce can tomato sauce

⅓ cup pimento stuffed olives (plus some brine)

2 tbsp raisins (optional and sometimes controversial)

Directions

1. Saute diced potato until golden brown.

2. Heat a big skillet over medium to medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and onions, and saute until soft, about five minutes.

3. Add the garlic and cook for another minute.

4. Add the ground beef to the pan and season with salt and cumin, then cook until brown.

5. Add the tomato sauce, olives, potatoes and raisins (if using) in with the beef and stir to combine.

6. Lower heat to a simmer and cook for fifteen minutes, uncovered.