Comfort

Written By Ellen Cosgrove

You know the feeling. Work was exhausting. It’s cold and rainy and it took you twice as long to get back to your neighborhood because of "train traffic".

You just want to feel a little bit better. If you are like me, food is where you turn for some comfort.

So what is your comfort meal, dish, drink that you go to after a day like this? Is it your grandmothers lasagna recipe, pad thai from around the corner, a bag of Doritos or a good bottle of red?

My go to comfort food? Popcorn! It was the treat of my childhood and beyond. We grew up eating cheese popcorn made with (wait for it…) Velveeta cheeese, which is absolutely delocious!! We have now modified the recipe to make it with chedder cheese and if you are in a hurry (and are vegan) nutritional yeast. Get out your pan out for this one, you are making this on the stove.

There is literally nothing better to cheer you up!

Photograph by Ellen Cosgrove

Cheese Popcorn (this is more of a methodology rather then recipe)

saucepan with lid

popcorn kernals

high heat oil (such as canola or peanut)

chedder cheese*, cut in cubes

butter, cut in slices

salt

1) Place desired amount of popcorn in saucepan and pour in oil so that each kernal is coated

2) Put top on saucepan and turn on burner to high to heat up and create steam.

3) Once kernals start popping rock the sauecepan over the burner gently until the popping slows down. Then dump into a bowl. (you may have to dump and then keep popping the rest of the kernals if your pan is smaller. But be carefull not to burn!!!)

4) Once the pan is empty but still warm, turn off the heat and add cubes of cheese and butter. Mix quickly with a knicfe to create a sauce. Then pour into poporn using your knife to evenly distribute (not gonna lie this takes some practice)

5) Salt to taste and enjoy. Especially enjoy the little balls of cheese and popcorn that will form- this is comfort at it’s very best!

  • If using nutritional yeast: once popcorn is in the bowl, shake on desired amount and add salt and mix thoughly. This is SO delicious as well!

Ellen Cosgrove
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