Whether you are stressed at work, burned out at grad school, fuming because of your lover's spat or simply bitter because Valentine's day couples kept rubbing into your face that you will be forever alone, this post is made especially for you! Some people may call it stress eating, but screw them. Sometimes, it's just best for your sanity to throw all caution into the wind and indulge into that craving you've been suppressing since time immemorial.
Pinoy Spaghetti. For us Filipinos, sweet-style spaghetti complete with hot dog slices and overloaded with grated cheese. What makes this comfort food so nourishing to the soul? Maybe it's because we tend to associate eating a plate of spaghetti with those early childhood memories of attending birthday parties where everything was all fun and games. It's simplicity brings back a lot of happy memories and it triggers our happy hormones to come out and embrace the sunshine and I tell you, it always works.
Greasy Donuts. Doesn't matter if it's home made, or store bought from Dunkin' Donuts, Mister Donut, JCo Donuts, Wildflour or what have you. These greasy, sugary,fluffy and fried pieces of heaven are sure to instantly lift your grumpy spirits and make you head straight to a wonderful sugar rush. My go-to flavors are the alcapone and green tease from JCo!
Deep Dark Chocolate Cake. I prefer chocolate, but you can go crazy for any variety that you desire. When I eat a slice (or two) of my favorite cake, my day indeed gets a little better. It's like you're getting fueled up and ready to fight your battles again. I know cakes are synonymous with celebrations, but there's no rule in black and white that restricts you from devouring one just because you really, really want to. I won't tell if you won't. :)
Juicy Cheese Burger with a side of French Fries. Forget the poor and inexcusable attempts of a burger from Jollibee or McDonald's, because you would want to indulge in the real thing on your moment of emergency. Try 8 Cuts Burger Blends, or Charlie's Grind and Grill for the authentic hamburger experience. The patty should be soft and oozing with flavors, none of those rubbery or plain rock solid patties from cheaper burger joints will ever measure up to the real thing. Sorry, but it has to be said!
Hot bowl of Arroz Caldo. I'm not talking about the easy arroz caldo you can buy at food joints, because really. If you're going to have this, it's always go big or go home. So, buy the ingredients and cook it at home, or better yet have your mom, house help, friend or significant other make it for you. All those extra effort put into making the dish amplifies your appreciation by a hundred fold. One spoonful and it will make you feel that all is right in the world.
Pizza Overload. Hmm, I'm sensing a pattern here. My foundation of comfort food material is that it's overloaded with carbs, but heck, who cares? It's not like your going to have it every single day. I have never met a person who says no to pizza, and that's because it's just so yummy. It's everything you would want, all in one convenient slice. It's stringy, it's savory, and if it's any consolation, it has veggies. Veggies are good for you, right?
Ice cream, Gelato, Frozen Yogurt and the likes. Ice cream is the instant choice if you need a quick boost to your gloomy mood. Maybe because of it's innate coldness, it's able to dissipate the raging hot ball of anger you hold inside. Like spaghetti, ice cream makes you time travel to simpler times, where any problem could be fix with a bowl of this goodness. Of course, in the real world that doesn't happen, but you can ignore your troubles for the mean time and have a fleeting case of amnesia.
Oh dear, I though this list would have a clear end point but the list keeps going on. On top of my head there's also beef shawarma, sisig, fried chicken, avocado with powdered milk and a whole lot more! Don't let me hinder you from compiling your own list of comfort food, I say it's different strokes for different folks after all. Comfort can be anything fancy and even dirt cheap that makes you see that it's just a bad day, not a bad life. Comfort food is anything that makes you feel giddy like a school kid and squeal with delight. Well, at least for me! What's your definition of comfort food? See you on my next pig out session. :)
Your pig out buddy,
Madz
