Hug in a bowl

Over a year into dealing with this crisis, we have all found our own versions of comfort food. Three Mumbaikars share what’s their go-to culinary pick-me-up

Hug in a bowl

Spaghetti Meatballs

Any time Sameer Uttamsingh, founder, Acme Hospitality and co-founder of Bun & Only, feels low, his instant therapy is cooking. “Food that provides a great deal of contentment and simply makes me feel good is comfort food. It feeds the body, mind, and soul,” he shares, adding that a big bowl of spaghetti and meatballs does the trick for him.

Of meatballs and marinara

Ingredients
For the meatballs:
>> 500 gm minced chicken >> 1 egg >> 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs>> 1/2 cup grated parmesan>> 2 tbsp olive oil >> 1/2 tsp garlic powder >> 1/2 tsp onion powder >> 1/2 tsp salt >> Black pepper to taste

For smoky marinara sauce:
>> 1.5 tbsp oil >> 1/2 piece onion >> 300 gm tomatoes >> 2 tsp garlic >> 1 tbsp tomato paste >> 1/2 tsp sugar >> 1 tsp salt >> 2 tsp smoked paprika >> 2 tbsp EVOO

Method
For the meatballs, preheat the oven to 400°C. Line a baking sheet with foil and cooking spray. Mix all ingredients. Roll the mixture into 30 small balls. Place on the baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes. For the sauce, heat a pan and add oil. Add finely chopped onions and cook until translucent. Season with garlic. Tip in the tomatoes and cook, covered for 20 to 30 minutes. Season with tomato paste, sugar, salt, and smoked paprika powder. Finish off with EVOO. Spoon the marinara over the meatballs and cooked spaghetti. Garnish with finely chopped parsley parmesan.

Toast to comfort
Considering the sweltering heat in the city, chef and caterer Rhea Mitra Dalal shares that she’s been turning to sandwiches for comfort. “Breakfast is the only meal I look forward to. We stock up on cold cuts. We add sandwich fillers, spreads and cheese, and it’s ready,” she says. She is partial to a desi French toast sandwich with cheese and chilli

Ingredients
>> 4 bread slices >> 2 eggs
>> 2-3 tbsp milk>> 2 cheese slices>> 1 tsp finely chopped green chillies
>> Salt to taste
>> Oil or butter

Method
Beat the eggs with salt and milk. Heat a flat frying pan, and put oil or butter. Dip a slice of bread into the beaten egg; let it soak for 10 seconds on each side and place it on the hot pan. Fry the slice on both sides till you get a crisp coating. Fry two slices at a time at least so you can assemble the sandwich before they cool down. Place one hot slice and then put a slice of cheese. Sprinkle chopped chillies and then cover with the other fried bread slice. The cheese will melt and become gooey.

Naan-tastic escape
“Comfort food stays true to the belief that all eating is possibly emotional eating. These foods provide a nostalgic or sentimental value, and are characterised by simple preparation,” explains Ishijyot Surri, executive chef, SJI Hospitality and Foods, citing the example of vegetable khichdi or potato mash slathered with gravy. He shares his recipe for Za’atar cheese naan

Ingredients
>> 1 flatbread/naan
>> 45 ml EVOO
>> 15 gm za’atar spice
>> 1 clove garlic
>> 40 gm processed cheese
>> Crushed red pepper to taste
>> Sea salt to taste

Method
Preheat the oven to 180°C. Mix together olive oil, za’atar and chopped garlic. Place the flatbread/naan on a baking sheet. Spread the olive oil-za’atar mixture on the bread, followed by cheese. Sprinkle crushed red pepper and a pinch of sea salt. Bake for five minutes. Slice and serve hot.

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