When people are asked to define comfort foods, the answer is variable. There are as many variations to the answer as there are individuals who are asked the question. What makes something a comfort food while others are not? Is it related to diet or type of recipe? Is it related to region or country?

At a restaurant, a waitress was asked the question of what she thought of when she was asked about comfort foods. She did not hesitate to answer, "Oh, meat loaf and potatoes, green beans. Stuff like that." When asked to describe how she came to her answer, she said, "These are the things that I had growing up at family meals." It appears she related to meals that she had at home with family.

Comfort foods remind people of home and family. It is food that gives them comfort, a sense of family and home. People think of family gatherings, holidays, and special occasions. It does not necessarily have to do with a secret family recipe (although the secret might be that eating gives members of the family a warm feeling of home). It is not surprising that everyone has an image of a family meal.

Yahoo! News Search Results for Comfort Foods
Yahoo! News Search Results for Comfort Foods

Cash-strapped customers turn to comfort foods (Publican)
CREDIT-CRUNCHED consumers are turning to traditional comfort foods in greater numbers than ever, according to the findings of The Publican Food Report 2008 , published in the November 24 issue.
The Recipe for Cool Weather Comfort Foods (Maumelle Monitor)
(ARA) - As the weather gets brisk and the sun sets earlier, we find ourselves yearning for food and beverages that are simple, familiar and home-made. Comfort food is as soothing as a warm sweater, but it doesn't have to be boring if you add a little creativity.
Lucille's cooks up comfort and cheer (Miami Herald)
In uncertain times, we want something we can count on -- even if it's just meatloaf or a gooey hot fudge sundae. Stress summons cravings for homey comfort foods we rarely make at home anymore.
Meatless comfort foods, anyone? (Orange County Register)
Irvine-based Veggie Grill opens a third SoCal eatery Friday at the Irvine Spectrum Center. Tasty protein substitutes -- not tofu -- are key to the chain's mainstream success.
Jeffrey Smith: Will Genetically Modified Foods Make You Sick? (HuffingtonPost)
Two new government studies, published within days of each other, point to disturbing health hazards of genetically modified foods.
Sitka filmmaker searches for the right foods to eat (Capital City Weekly)
SITKA - What is the ethical way to eat in Alaska - or anywhere? How can you break away from the industrial food system? Where is your comfort level in taking a life for food? Is it better to shoot a deer than to buy tofu that has been shipped thousands of miles?
At Your Library: Help during hard times (Harwich Oracle)
There are always certain people and organizations that manage to be busy and prosperous in hard times. I?m guessing bankruptcy lawyers, the sellers of comfort foods, and buyers of foreclosed houses are all pretty busy right now, and it shouldn?t be a big surprise that public libraries are also seeing increased use. Here at Brooks Free Library we offer many resources for those who are looking ...
New first family enjoys a mix of fine dining, comfort foods (Island Packet)
CHICAGO -- Former President George H.W. Bush famously disliked broccoli. His son, the outgoing president, is a Texas meat-eater. President-elect Barack Obama loves chili and shuns beets.
Weekend Entertaining: No need to brown beef for tasty stew (Memphis Commercia...
At last, the weather makes us all think of good comfort food. The second thing that comes to my mind on a damp, gray day is always some sort of beef stew. (The first thing is chili.)
Forward.com (Forward)
Jamie Sneider may have taken the traditional notion of ?comfort? out of the term ?comfort food.?