Comfort Food as a Tribute to Loved Ones: Nostalgic Meals that Reminisce of Lost Loved Ones

Every piece of comfort food we savor can transport us back to cherished memories and the loved ones who once shared these delights with us. From the salty aroma of popcorn to the rich savory pudding, each bite holds a piece of the past, a link to those who are no longer with us. This article explores how specific dishes evoke nostalgic feelings and celebrate the culinary traditions of our loved ones.

Popcorn and the Memory of a Mother

For me, the nostalgic comfort food that immediately brings back memories of my mother is popcorn. Whenever we watched a movie or tackled a huge jigsaw puzzle, there were always big bowls of freshly popped popcorn on the stove. The smell of the popper is one of the first things I think of when I'm missing her. Popping a batch of kernels in a hot air popper and asking, "Mom, do you want some?" still leaves me with a pang of longing.

Suet Pudding and the Heritage of Cooking

Suet pudding is another dish that takes me back to my loved ones. Both my mother and grandmother were masterful cooks, and their passion for food is something I inherited. The suet pudding was a special treat for weekend lunches with my grandparents. Nana always cooked it in the pressure cooker, and the hiss of the steam valve would stir nostalgia in my heart. We would typically eat mashed potatoes, carrots, and green veggies with the pudding, garnished with its rich gravy, made with fresh vegetables from Grandad’s garden.

Rice Crispy Bars and the Sweet Taste of Memories

One of my most cherished comfort foods is my mother's fudge-like rice crispy bars topped with caramel and chocolate. The moment I bite into a Whatchamacallit candy bar now brings back memories of her sweet creations. Each bite is a reminder of her love and her delicious cooking.

Chicken Noodles and the Festive Season

Most of my nostalgic meals are associated with distinct foods and places where my family would gather for holiday functions. My grandmother Pack’s signature dish, chicken with homemade noodles, was a hit at almost every gathering because it was so delicious. It was a big pot filled with plump chicken parts, a thick yellow gravy, and wide strips of hand-cut noodles. Sadly, when she passed, no written recipe was left behind. Her version used canned chicken, which was a pantry item meant for her dog's treats or a rare indulgence.

Grandmother O'Connor’s Cake

Grandma O'Connor wasn’t much of a cook, but she compensated by taking us to the local bakery on visits. We would have lunch first, then mosey over for dessert. She allowed each of us to pick a sensible item, a slice of cake or pie, which was a reward in itself. One of her special dishes was Hawaiian chicken with canned pineapple and a soy sauce glaze. Another was Spam fried in a skillet on the stove, served with canned pineapple on a toasted English muffin. Her favorite dessert was her version of chocolate chip cookies, which incorporated macadamia nuts, coconut, and a secret ingredient of canned pineapple tidbits. These cookies were simply divine.

Dad’s Exotic Recipes

My dad had a knack for finding exotic recipes in fishing and campfire outdoor magazines. He would make dishes such as chicken tetrazzini, hash brown breakfast potatoes with green pepper and onion bits, and salmon wrapped in puff pastry. These dishes, while unique, were always a treat to taste. The most memorable was the green chili verde, which was too spicy for even regular palates to enjoy.

These dishes not only remind me of my loved ones, but they also hold the essence of their culinary traditions, which continue to nurture my soul even in the absence of the people who made them.