Like many other facets of life in the 21st century, there is an online survey for any topic you find interesting. In this case, the Center for Culinary Develoment and Packaged Facts produced a national survey to determine if there is a generation gap when it comes to comfort foods.
They break the results down by female-male, Gen.X and Gen. Y, and Boomers. No surprise, regardless of age, almost half the respondents prefer sweets for comfort. Entrees, salty snacks, side dishes and breakfast foods lag far behind. Women prefer sweet things more than men. Break it down a bit further, and top sweets are ice cream, then chocolate, and finally brownies. (what: no cookies?)
For entrees, roast meats come in tops, mac and cheese and potatoes tied for side dishes in popularity, and with salty snacks, chips reign supreme, followed by popcorn and cheese. (there are nuances, too...for example, Boomers like artisan cheeses, hand-crafted gems like Humboldt Fog, while Gen.X goes for cheese crackers.)
Boomers like classic comfort foods, like braised meats, casseroles and ice cream, and crave childhood favorites, like peanut butter, hot oatmeal and foods made from canned tuna or chicken noodle soup.
Gen. X likes commercial fare and fast food, especially burgers and burritos. They gravitate to branded foods, like favorite name brand packaged cookies and snacks.
Gen. Y likes burritos and ramen noodles, but also favor more healthy foods, like sushi and fruit.
Are you interested in comfort food trends? Well, they have an answer for that! How about breakfast for dessert, using boxed cereals as the basis for baked goods and desserts, as well as glamoured-up versions of doughnuts and French toast? It's the old standby, Rice Krispy Bars, gone upscale.
Meatloaf is back, but it's been gussied up with leaner meat blends and bigger tastes. (Sorry: I still won't eat it. Ever. Bad times.)
Artisan pies, once only seen in little pastry shops and cafes, are being featured in restaurants with intriguing fresh fruit blends and good-for-you ingredients.
Pacific Rim cooking is stronger than ever, with pho, the Vietnamese noodle and beef soup , spreading like wildfire. Fresh in flavor and a quick snack, pho is also pretty simple to whip up at home. A similar soup is miso, which ranks big on my comfort food list in the cold wet months.
Asian curries are growing in popularity, too, and there are many kits on our shelves that help put these together quickly and inexpensively. I wonder if hot foods are more comforting than cold foods?
Finally, good old mac and cheese can have all sorts of variations, but it's easy to make and exceptionally soothing to eat when you want to feel like you're being taken care of by Mom.
This brings us to the big question: what is your ultimate comfort food? Does it depend on the season or the weather or the mood? Does it differ if you are by yourself? Does it always satisfy, or do you need to change it up from time to time? And...are there foods that offer no salve or comfort? I can reveal that when I want to feel well-cared-of and need a food equivilent of a hug, it will never be eggs...but that's me. I'm going to be reaching for a big slice of toast, preferably on a piece of big-flavored bread, topped with my old friend, peanut butter. There...feeling better already!