Grilling is a big comfort for me (which presents a big problem in winter), but I also love making a big batch of green chili pork stew or chili. I think it's partially the comfort of the food, but also the recognition that "hey, things might feel awful right now, but at least I can still do this." The accomplishment, however minor, also helps.
For me, comfort comes less from sense memory - there’s some of that with my grandmother’s Thanksgiving oyster dressing - and more from the ritual of preparation and process. I read your piece while drinking the coffee I prepare the same way every morning, by grinding fresh roasted whole beans, and brewing in a French press. The ritual of making the coffee provides more benefit to me than the caffeine. My go-to kitchen therapy is a whole chicken. Spatchcock, season, dry, grill (fair weather) or roast (poor weather), then slow cook a big pot of stock with the detritus. Cooking something that gives so much, like a whole chicken, gives me an honest feeling of gratitude. And the delicious smells from the cooking is legit aromatherapy.
Grilling is a big comfort for me (which presents a big problem in winter), but I also love making a big batch of green chili pork stew or chili. I think it's partially the comfort of the food, but also the recognition that "hey, things might feel awful right now, but at least I can still do this." The accomplishment, however minor, also helps.
For me, comfort comes less from sense memory - there’s some of that with my grandmother’s Thanksgiving oyster dressing - and more from the ritual of preparation and process. I read your piece while drinking the coffee I prepare the same way every morning, by grinding fresh roasted whole beans, and brewing in a French press. The ritual of making the coffee provides more benefit to me than the caffeine. My go-to kitchen therapy is a whole chicken. Spatchcock, season, dry, grill (fair weather) or roast (poor weather), then slow cook a big pot of stock with the detritus. Cooking something that gives so much, like a whole chicken, gives me an honest feeling of gratitude. And the delicious smells from the cooking is legit aromatherapy.
Everything you mentioned sounds good to me you're exactly right cooking takes my mind off everything