Rich pasta carbonara, decadent tres leches cake, chewy tteokbokki. Food. It’s the foundation of several cultures, the backbone of our society, and one of the most basic necessities of life.
For as long as life has existed, food has always been of immense importance. Because of this, meals have been perfected, and recipes have been passed down for over 300,000 years.
Almost any person can name one of their favorite foods. But, for many, their favorite food can mean much more than what meets the eye. These foods can tell stories, carry on traditions, or transport people back to simpler times.
Pozole
Local Hispanic student Iclia Rodriguez’ (11) comfort meal is pozole, because food is her mom’s love language.
Pozole is a traditional Mexican soup known for its rich, savory broth. There are three varieties of this dish: red, green, and white—each named after the color of their broths.
Rodriguez’ favorite form of pozole is red, which has a soup base composed of pureed ancho peppers, guajillo peppers, and garlic. This spicy, smoky broth is accompanied by tender pork and chewy hominy. Hominy are corn kernels that are soaked in lye or lime solutions to make them tender and puffy. This soup’s beauty is found in its toppings which are typically lime, avocado, lettuce, onion, radish, or queso fresco.
“It’s the best on cold days because the broth is so warm, but you can eat it at any time,” said Rodriguez.
Pozole is most frequently served during times of celebration whether that be New Years, Independence Day, or birthdays.
“In quinceaneras, people eat pozole the morning after the whole night because the party lasts all the way into the morning,” said Rodriguez.
To Rodgriguez, this dish is comforting because it represents the hard work, time, and dedication that her mom puts into the food she prepares.
“My mom would always prepare pozole during the holidays so it reminds me of the joy from when I was little. It is most definitely her love language because she puts so much effort into it, and works so hard to make it every time,” said Rodriguez.
Pelmeni
Ukrainian immigrant Anastasia Nagorniuk’s (11) comfort meal is pelmeni, because it brings back nostalgic memories.
Pelmeni are traditional Russian dumplings stuffed with a delicious mixture of pork, chicken, turkey, and onions. These bite size morsels have a chewy exterior dough, a perfectly salty filling, and are frequently topped with sour cream and butter.
Having immigrated from Ukraine at the age of six, pelmeni is a beautiful reminder of Nagorniuk’s childhood.
“My grandma would cook it for me all the time, and I’d spend my summers over there so it’s just a happy memory from the summer,” said Nagorniuk.
Chicken Tikka Masala
Proud Indian Shaurya Sharma’s (11) comfort meal is chicken tikka masala, because it brings him closer to his culture.
Chicken tikka masala is a British Indian dish, and arguably one of the world’s most popular curries. This dish consists of golden chicken pieces marinated in a yogurt-based sauce full of various spices including garam masala, turmeric, cumin, and Kashmiri chili. Once these bite-size pieces are cooked, they are bathed in a rich sauce of pureed tomatoes, cream, a masala spice mix, and several other ingredients. Chicken tikka masala is commonly served over a bed of rice.
Chicken tikka masala is eaten on all occasions, but especially during holidays or celebrations such as Diwali, a Hindu festival of lights.
“It’s just so delicious, you can’t go wrong with chicken tikka masala. It hits on a different level,” said Sharma.
With more than 4000 existing cultures in the world, the possibilities for food are endless—and yet it is easy to maintain a limited pallet of familiar foods in our day to day lives.
Food is such a beautiful way to share one’s culture, experiences, and love to another person. With this in mind, it is important to keep an open mind, and empty stomach, when presented with an opportunity to try something new.
