Comfort Me With Food

On the happy days, we don't think about the foods that comfort us.

We need them less then, I suppose.

We all know how powerful food can be.

It entertains and absorbs us; it can even be transcendental and has the power to heal.

We all have memories of emotional boo-boos that were made better with a dish our moms made.

They're called comfort foods for a reason -- they soothe and reassure both palates and souls.

Restaurants are so called because they originally were roadside stops where weary travelers could restore themselves.

And think about the variety of concoctions and potions our grandmothers and mothers whipped up for us the day the school bully took your new Frisbee or your pet hamster died. There are thousands.

Comfort foods are found all over the world, largely divided by region and ethnicity.

Here in the U.S., it's apple pie, macaroni and cheese or roast chicken. Those with Jewish heritage turn to matzo-ball soup and latkes. The French love their jambon buerre -- a ham sandwich with butter, served on a crisp baguette. ...