H O O K E D - Food For Comfort

Food For Comfort

Written by Charmaine Tay

Food has always been one of the greatest pleasures in life, and as a fellow food lover, I can't help but turn to certain food when I'm feeling down. Comfort foods are those that are simply prepared and associated with a sense of home or contentment. Been dumped by your girlfriend? Failed your driving exam? These foods will make you feel better...at least for now.

Ah, nothing says comfort food to me more than a hot, steaming bowl of Ban Mian. Be it a cold, rainy day, or a need to fill a hungry belly, sinking your teeth into the thick flat noodles is just pure satisfaction.

The gently poached egg is the nice surprise of the meal - the smooth velvety egg yolk, which is neither too liquid nor hard, simply melts on your tongue. With the minced pork and crispy ikan bilis, this is a play of different textures that complement each other perfectly to make your day a better one.

I've been threatened on pain of death by my editor to have this on the list of comfort foods. What else but chocolate could make one such a zealous advocate? From off-the-shelves supermarket brands like Cadbury and Nestle, to gourmet Godiva chocolates, the appeal of chocolate is universal. These sweet treats are the ultimate indulgence and are rivaled by few in texture and attraction.

One of the main reasons why chocolate makes one feel so good (as you should have known by now) is the natural opiates known as endorphins that are released in the brain with increased amounts when chocolates are eaten, helping to elevate one's mood and reducing pain. My personal favourites are Cadbury fruit and nut chocolate and Ferrero Rocher, which I can assure you that they are eaten with much relish!

The extreme experience of chocolate in dire pick-me-up situations comes in the form of deep fried Mars bars with ice cream. Words cannot describe this immense chocolate fix but I'll try my best. Imagine a batter coated log of Mars bar, topped with ice cream and drizzled with chocolate sauce.

        Not tempted yet? Picture yourself biting into one - imagine the gooey caramel and chocolate mix filling your mouth, the heat of the chocolate bar, the coldness of the ice cream, together with the crisp batter will cause a sensation overload. I advise those who have not enjoyed this to immediately troop down to the nearest Chippy's outlet to get your fix.

        A word of caution: Choose vanilla ice cream over chocolate, because sometimes, too much of a good thing can be bad. Don't say we didn't warn you! (Note: Chippy's is located at Raffles Shopping Centre basement and Plaza Singapura basement.)

        This may be a cliché, but chicken soup truly is good for the soul. There's nothing this dish can't cure (or postpone), be it home-sickness, love-sickness or just the plain ol' cold.

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The wholesome stock, paired with carrots, potatoes and onions, makes this one flu ass-kicking broth. This isn't just about nostalgic memories of home - the hot broth does help open nasal passages and soothe the throat for a period of time. The aroma and vapour certainly help in stimulating the appetite, while the soup itself provides sustenance and hydration. It is simply savoury goodness in a bowl.

White bread, wheat bread, focaccia and French loafs are among the numerous variety of bread, which I've known people to eat a whole loaf at one go. There's just something about tearing at a chunk of bread with your bare hands and sinking your teeth through the crust into the soft white insides. Too many rich foods like steak and seafood sometimes lead one to crave for something simple yet filling, and bread fulfils that role in providing satiety and comfort.

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Yet another reason why bread's on this list is the fact that certain bread can stem the premenstrual symptoms, also known as the much-dreaded PMS.

During that period, there is a need to keep the blood sugar levels stable, so complex carbohydrates such as wholemeal bread can aid by slowing the absorption of sugars. Thus, a heed to all ladies, boyfriends and husbands alike - make sure to have some bread at hand at all times, for it really does bring comfort to all, directly or indirectly.

So, are you hungry yet? HOOKED

Images courtesy of:

http://www.wikipedia.org/

http://www.foodlah.com/

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