BKD Cookbook Club.....Get Comfy with Comfort Food

It's time again for  Jo Tracey's BKD (Brookford Kitchen Diaries) Cookbook Club. I've followed Jo for awhile and have read several of her books, including one of her most recent which features a group of ladies who have a cookbook club. If you haven't read any of Jo's books, you should.

It's summer in the Northern Hemisphere and we've had several days in a row of 80-90 degree weather, so it's HOT. Here in the PNW area where I live, those temps aren't always the norm, especially 90's. For my friends in the Southern Hemisphere they're coming into winter. 

Comfort food is on our agenda for this months cookbook club, and it got me thinking.

We automatically equate comfort food with fall and winter dishes...at least I do. But what about summer.

According to the AI overview when I searched "comfort food"

Comfort food is food that evokes feelings of emotional comfort or well-being. This often happens by triggering positive memories, such as those associated with childhood or home cooking. 

Here's a breakdown of what comfort food is and why it's comforting:

What is Comfort Food?

• Emotional Connection: Comfort foods are strongly linked to emotions and feelings of nostalgia or security. They can remind people of happier times, family, or home.
• Familiarity and Security: These are often traditional or familiar dishes that provide a sense of security during times of stress or uncertainty.
• Variety of Foods: Comfort foods can be sweet or savory, healthy or unhealthy, according to Goldbelly. Examples include:
  • Hearty dishes like soups, stews, casseroles, and pasta.
  • Sweet treats like cookies, cakes, and ice cream.
  • Classic savory items like grilled cheese, mac 'n' cheese, burgers, and mashed potatoes.
• Personal and Cultural Significance: Comfort foods vary from person to person and across cultures, often reflecting individual preferences and cultural traditions. 

Why do people crave comfort food?

• Emotional Boost: Eating comfort foods can trigger the brain's reward system, leading to feelings of pleasure and satisfaction.
• Stress Relief: Some comfort foods, particularly those high in carbohydrates, may help reduce levels of stress hormones like cortisol.
• Nostalgia and Positive Memories: Comfort foods can transport people back to cherished moments and provide a sense of comfort and familiarity. 

In summary: Comfort food connects people to emotions, memories, and culture through the act of eating. It offers a feeling of warmth, security, and satisfaction, which is particularly helpful during challenging time

So what could be some comfort foods for summer? I love corn on the cob, anything on the grill, s'mores and hot dogs over a fire, the list really could go on. 

I really struggled this month with getting something put together. We've been busy and the days got away from me. When I looked at the schedule, I realized that I would be heading out of town the week we post. I knew I had to either skip or get creative. I would've loved to have had time to dive deeper into some cookbooks that focused on summer recipes. However, I did recently get two cookbooks from the library and found a recipe that said comfort to me, and was quick and easy to make. 

I specifically chose these two books to check out because 1. I'm in Perimenopause and it sounded interesting, and 2. I'm always interested in fighting inflammation which can problematic for all of us. I marked several recipes in the Fix it with Food cookbook, and need to look through the other one more thoroughly.

The MenuPause basically has 6 specific eating plans depending on your needs and what you're looking for. It does tell you who would benefit from each one. I should have taken a photo of that page. The recipes do look good in it and I'll probably save several of them. Will I choose one of the plans specifically? I'm not sure. 

In the above photo of the menupause book it shows the plans. 

I used to watch Michael Symon on The Chew when it aired for several years. I remember him talking about this cookbook. I'm just now getting around to looking at it. 

I feel like both of these cookbooks can fit the "comfort" food category as they have dishes that apply, AND if you are trying to watch certain things, you're bound to find something to make. 

He shares his story about having an autoimmune disease and dealing with inflammation. 

It is filled with a lot of recipes that are right up my alley! 

It contains lists of what you want to focus on eating and eliminating. That's a plus. 

The recipe I chose was this fried egg with avocado and tomato salsa. It was light, bright, and tasty. The recipe called for tomato, avocado, scallions, lime juice and cilantro. 

I didn't have lime. 

I've had avocado with my eggs, but never a "salsa" of sorts. I'd have this again. 

I'm currently on vacation in Ohio (just arrived yesterday). I was going to post a few more photos but realized I didn't take more pictures. This is a book I would own. The MenuPause one, I probably wouldn't buy but will take some copies of a few recipes and thoughts.

See you next month when we go to Italy!!! Whoo hoo! 

With Joy Unquenchable,

Kirstin