There are many answers to the definition of comfort foods. 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 ingredients?

Marie was a waitress at a French restaurant. She was asked what she thought of when I asked her what comfort foods were. After she put down a plate of garlic roasted Italian bread, parmesan cheese, and olive oil, she volunteered that oven-roasted chicken came to mind. That is what her grandmother served every Sunday evening when Susie was a child. Grandmother's Sunday chicken is what Susie thought of as a comfort food.

Familiarity is a word that is used to describe one's comfort level. This also applies to things that one eats. Foods that one recognizes, things that bring memories of family and home, are important characteristics of comfort foods. It is not the ingredients per se. It is the setting in which the food item is served. Family meals often are cited as part of the answer to the question of what are comfort foods.

comfort food - Yahoo! News Search Results
comfort food - Yahoo! News Search Results

Is comfort food worth this much?
Is comfort food worth this much? Seattle Post-Intelligencer Copyright 2012 Seattle Post-Intelligencer. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Updated 11:45 a.m., Saturday, January 28, 2012
Memphis chef Kelly English snags Cochon 555
With a stripped-down menu based on familiar comfort food, Kelly English, chef/owner of Memphis' Restaurant Iris, won the Memphis stop of the Cochon 555 cooking competition Saturday night.
Comfort foods reign on new menus
Trends may come and go, but at least in Milwaukee, a passion for comfort food endures. Big, hearty dishes are the stars on a range of new menus in local eateries.
Comfort food at The Porch
The Porch is a local favorite for comfort foods like macaroni and cheese. After a scorching summer, it's not surprising that our Texas winter has been especially warm.
Conroe restaurateur capitalizing on comfort food
Conroe?s newest casual dining facility puts the emphasis on traditional, home-cooked comfort food served in a relaxed atmosphere at reasonable prices ? and patrons are encouraged to bring their own music.
Southern food doesn't have to be all fat
Southern comfort food queen Paula Deen took a beating last week when she revealed she has Type 2 diabetes, three years after her diagnosis, and an endorsement deal with diabetes drugmaker Novo Nordisk.
Comfort Food with Regional Flavor
Café Succulent & Trading Company opens in Solvang
KAC event combines comfort food, art
 In challenging financial times, the Kirkland Art Center has turned to comfort food. Community members attended the annual Chili Days fundraiser Sunday to show their support for the center.  
Design Notebook | Embrace winter in cozy comfort
Comfort food and cozy surroundings are the keys to setting just the right atmosphere ? and it?s the small touches that make those cold winter days even more bearable. Before the first foot of snow falls, I ready my home to ward off the potential effects of cabin fever.
Healthy, Hearty Comfort Food
MISSION, KS-- - During the short days and cold nights of winter, many of us crave comfort foods. Unfortunately, the rich dishes we usually think of tend to be low in nutrition and packed with fat and calories. ...