For me it’s orange chicken. I can eat it any time and enjoy it. It’s one of those dishes where the taste widely depends on the cook. Some cook it with a salty taste while others make it sweet. Whenever I try a new Chinese restaurant I always make sure to order orange chicken first.
i know this is gonna sound strange, but... caesar salad, specifically the ones my grandmother sometimes made for dinner when i was a kid. she used to throw iceberg lettuce into these big bowls and add croutons, ham or chicken, chunks of marble, cheddar and/or pepperjack cheese, a hard-boiled egg and ofc caesar dressing on top and it was so simple, but so insanely delicious. i love caesar salads sm, and they always make me feel good because not only are they yum, they’re definitely healthier than some of the other foods i crave when i’m sad. a lot of my grandma’s meals are comfort foods of mine tbh (especially her chicken noodle soup and pasta salad), which is ironic considering we didn’t have a good relationship. she passed almost a year ago, so these foods are also some of the few fond associations/memories i have with/of her as well.
kraft mac and cheese, chicken tenders/nuggets, weenies ‘n beans (baked beans with chopped up hot dogs) and all types of pasta are great as well.
I think I have two comfort meals my main is kraft macaroni and cheese. I have fond memories of eating it as a child. I had this thing where I only would eat it if I was watching Cinderella. I don’t know why, but when I would watch that movie I always asked for macaroni and cheese to go with it.
My other is spaghetti. We had spaghetti every Sunday after church and even though I hated church and despised going the meal was comforting. I eat that meal now somewhat regularly. I would have to say the mac and cheese is much more of a rare comfort occasion.
Macaroni and cheese, especially the casserole style my mom makes, is my favorite comfort food. Other comfort foods are mashed potatoes with gravy or fettucine alfredo. Rice, chicken, and cream of mushroom soup is delicious too.
Spaghetti bolognese. Ate it all the time as a kid, was so proud I cooked it for myself the first time. Good steak is pretty comforting frankly (yeah, getting a little fancy feels good, like I still have room for vanity). Scrambled eggs just the way I like them. Aaand when I actually have the ingredients, watercress soup is so good with the potatoes and greens in it, and the slight chunkiness there. Cacio e pepe might join the ranks soon.
Sushi or a well made sub. If I can't have either, then baked potatoes with random toppings. I rarely eat ramen noodles anymore as comfort food. They taste good but too much calories and not enough nutrition.
My PoPo's soup! She puts all kinds of good things in it like: five spice pork, green onions, and bok choy! I even started adding white rice in the soup and thats become my new favorite thing to do so every single time I have chicken broth soup I add rice! I don't know why I started doing that buts I LOVE IT +=
Shrimp/seafood alfredo. Any type of seafood (ESPECIALLY with a creamy pasta) is just.. so good.. T^T Makes my stomach happy, and it makes my brain happy! <3
Macaroni and Cheese? Very delicious! I love it even when it's cold. Hot 'n' gooey or cold and chewy, macaroni and cheese is always a good pick, especially when they add breadcrumbs to it too.
Canadian Kraft Dinner. I used to have it as a kid a lot, and I still make it occasionally when I'm feeling down. My mom has been bringing a case down when she visits.
Adobo! I’ve been making tofu adobo sa gata with pineapple, but I’ve been meaning to learn to make a basic (mock) chicken adobo with potatoes. I used to ask for adobo all the time as a kid and douse my rice with that vinegary-salty sauce. It’s so good.
I also fancy a good lasagna! I go to town on lasagna!