I’m a sucker for research, especially about food and why we eat what we do. So you can imagine my delight at seeing a news story about University of Buffalo researchers who found that just thinking about a favorite comfort food helps quell feelings of loneliness by reminding us of our connection with others.
I couldn’t resist sharing this story with Nourish Network’s Facebook community and asking members to share their go-to comfort foods. Turns out, people are passionate about their favorite comforting dishes. I started the discussion off by sharing my personal faves: chocolate and carbonara (though not in the same dish). Some admitted they also turn to chocolate and creamy food after a tough day. Homey fare like buttermilk fried chicken and chili made an appearance, too.
Then things took a surprising turn. Of course comfort food doesn’t have to = junk food, and indeed, there was a strong contingent who chimed in with favorites that nourish body and soul. One had a fondness for veggie-laden chicken soup. Lia favors udon soup when she’s down (she also likes any kind of pizza). She and another commenter also enjoy sauteed Swiss chard.
Can such healthy fare be comforting when you’re lonely? That depends on your outlook. One commenter believed true comfort food is by definition sweet and/or fattening. I, too, like an element of richness in my comfort cuisine. For me, this Indian dal offers the best of both worlds of health and comfort. The lentils have a creamy texture while the onion and carrot sauteed in ghee lend a rich element, and it’s all flavored with earthy, warm spices. That’s my idea of a big culinary hug.
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Red Lentil Dal with Caramelized Onions
Dal is an Indian cuisine comfort-food standby made with lentils, dried beans or peas. Tarka is a technique in which spices are sauteed in fat to magnify their flavor. And as we learned from spice guru Monica Bhide, you’ll enjoy even more vivid flavor if you grind whole spices. Depending on your choice of cooking fat and stock, you can make this a vegan, dairy-free or gluten-free. Prepare the tarka and raita while the lentils simmer. Serve this dal with brown basmati rice, roasted cauliflower and our Fennel and Mint Raita.
Red Lentil Dal with Caramelized Onions, Carrots & Peas
Make a double batch of this dal and freeze the extra to heat up another night.
Ingredients
- 1 cup red lentils, rinsed and sorted
- 2 cups chicken OR vegetable stock
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 small (1-inch) dried red chile pepper
- 2 tablespoons DIY Ghee, canola oil or coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 3/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/4 teaspoon ground fennel
- 1 small onion, thinly vertically sliced
- 1 carrot, julienne cut (a julienne peeler makes this an easy job)
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon sugar
- Sea salt, to taste
- 1/2 cup frozen green peas, thawed
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 4 lime wedges
Instructions
Combine lentils, stock and water in a medium saucepan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 18 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally. Crush lentils with the back of a large spoon (or use an immersion blender to puree lentils to desired texture).
While the lentils simmer, place dried chile in a spice or coffee grinder; process to grind (or use a mortar and pestle). Heat ghee in a heavy skillet over medium heat. Add ground chile, cumin, turmeric, coriander and fennel. Cook 1 minute or until fragrant. Add onion, carrot and garlic. Sprinkle with sugar. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook 10 minutes, or until very tender. Season with salt to taste. Stir onion mixture, peas and lime juice into cooked lentils. Adjust seasoning. Serve lentils with lime wedges.
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http://nourishnetwork.com/2011/03/30/hug-on-a-plate/ Copyright 2014 by Nourish Network
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I couldn’t resist sharing this story with Nourish Network’s Facebook community and asking members to share their go-to comfort foods. Turns out, people are passionate about their favorite comforting dishes. I started the discussion off by sharing my personal faves: chocolate and carbonara (though not in the same dish). Some admitted they also turn to chocolate and creamy food after a tough day. Homey fare like buttermilk fried chicken and chili made an appearance, too.