The term “comfort food” popped up around 1977. I don’t try to define it because I think it means different things to different people. According to Wikipedia, there is a psychological component to comfort food: “comfort foods may be consumed to positively pique emotions, to relieve negative psychological effects or to increase positive feelings.” Does it do all of that? I don’t know, but some people believe comfort food is all that and more.
Last year I posted a recipe for Hash Brown Casserole, complete with pictures and step by step instructions. It turns out that this particular casserole is very popular with the staff and teachers at our school, Destiny Christian Academy.
This is my friend Kris, director of the academy, who swears that my hash brown casserole is the perfect comfort food and it makes all of her problems magically disappear; so at least twice a year she asks me to make it for her. Can you see the innocent, helpless look on her face?
Now I’m not one who is stingy with sharing recipes. I’ve directed her to this blog, emailed the recipe to her and texted the ingredients, all to no avail. She continued to insist that I make it. Since she is an excellent cook herself, I was stumped until I found out that she looked at the list of ingredients and decided it was too many for her to fool with.
So alas, yesterday I made the casserole, as promised, for her birthday. Instead of putting it in the refrigerator and taking it home to be consumed in a discreet manner, Kris decided to share with some of the staff and teachers.
Now, we are a Christian school and sharing is what we do, but sometimes sharing opens a flood gate of inquiries and requests like this one from Miss Toya. After tasting the hash brown casserole, Miss Toya was completely smitten. Note the pleading expression on her face - “Miss Valerie, please make me one!
At the end of the day, all that was left was this empty casserole dish and requests for another. If you look closely, you can see Toya in the background still eating. Now if you’re interested in trying this casserole, click the link for the recipe. I agree that it is indeed delicious; however, it is not a heart healthy dish. It’s full of fat and cholesterol, but with all things in moderation, it won’t hurt you. It may not be good for you but it will be good to you.
Bon Appetite!
