Nicole Week 6: Comfort Meals

    As I watch my childhood slowly slip away on each coming birthday, I recall a piece that never fails to put me in a better mood: comfort meals. Eating these meals instantly transports me back to the simpler days of playgrounds and birthday parties. Going to my grandparent's house and looking forward to a delectable Russian meal, or my mom whipping up a warm bowl of pasta with butter and cheese after school, all elicit the familiar pleasant emotions that defined my childhood. These comfort meals represent the love and warmth from my adolescence, and in my opinion, this nostalgia can cure any case of the blues. 

    My move to Florida meant I could not see my grandparents as often as before, also indicating that I could not indulge in many of my favorite comfort meals. All of these foods are traditional Russian staples, such as кашка (kashka), борщ (borsht), and сырники (syrniki). When my grandma made these foods, the table was always filled with her affection and care, leaving a lingering smell of our family’s love.

    Family comfort foods bring people together. I would frequently assist my grandma as she cooked and laughter and happiness always filled the kitchen, illustrating a relationship I am so fortunate to have. We always took pride in the final result of our dish, eager to serve it to our family. All the food was always finished down to the very last bite, a sign of our family’s satisfaction leaving my grandma and me with smiles on our faces. The family always left the table not only satiated and full from the delicious homecooked food but from the love that was put into making the dishes.  

    These memories contribute to the important pieces that make up my childhood. These comfort meals represent love and familial bond, something that I deeply cherish and will hold onto for the rest of my life. These recipes will continue to pass down through generations, bringing the same love and connection to the table. What is a comfort meal in your family?