Special to the HT
MEEKER | OK — you know the feeling. You’re sick — tired, achy, scratchy throat, cough, sinus pressure… Or, how about, you’re angry — you got in a huge fight with so-and-so or work has just been EXTRA today. Now, this time, you’re sad. Life has just decided that it’s going to kick you where the sun doesn’t shine… over and over and over again. When life decides to you know, LIFE, so many of us reach for something comforting. Something homey, something that always made us feel better. A special, no matter how simple, meal that helps us recognize that it will get better, that it’s all going to be ok no matter how icky the moment currently is.
The history of comfort food is so personal for each and every one of us and depending on how you grew up — this concept varies for us all. Examples: when I’m sick, I want chicken noodle or better yet, egg drop soup — or cinnamon toast. My dad always made me cinnamon toast when I didn’t feel good. When I’m mad, a fantastic pork green chile is the way. The spicy of it matches the spicy of my mood, and frankly, if you’re having green chile without pork, are you really having green chile? And if I’m sad? My gram’s chicken salad sandwiches and/or (but definitely better as an AND) my daughter’s boss cookies (they are malted milk, chocolate and butterscotch chip cookies she makes for me — and she calls me ‘boss’).
So I encourage you — when life is life’ing (is that even a word?) remember to reach for the foods that you bring you comfort and often more importantly, joy. Remember that today is today, tomorrow is yet to be seen and it’s all temporary. Nourish yourself, nourish your loved ones and always, always remember that the next amazing moment, and meal, is on the horizon.
Cinnamon toast:
Ingredients:
• Your favorite sliced bread (sourdough is mine), as thick as you like — as many slices as you want to make
• Softened salted butter
• Cinnamon sugar — 1/3 part high quality cinnamon + 2/3 parts sugar stirred very well together
Directions:
• Toast your bread to your likeness
• Mix the softened butter with cinnamon sugar and spread over the toast (how much of each? I don’t know, I’ve never measured. Softened butter, cinnamon sugar…. Mix mix mix…. Until it’s a paste. Or… alternatively, you can spread the butter on the toast and just dust with cinnamon sugar until the toast is all covered. I recommend doing this over the sink and knocking the excess into the sink.)
Consume.
By ALEXIS HULL-STONE
Alexis Hull-Stone is the co-owner of Off the Olive Branch, a specialty grocery, and On the Grapevine, offering quality wine, beer, spirits, mixers, and non-alcoholic options, at 317 E. Market St.
