This comfort food is just the thing for tender tummies.
The teakettle lid rattled in the kitchen under the pressure of boiling water. Aunt Mattie poured coffee in the china cups and passed them to the visiting friends. A platter of sweets was served and sampled as the men and ladies visited and cheered Mary. For several days she had had nothing but liquid - tea, juice, broth, and the like. She heard the clatter of platters and bowls of food visitors placed on the table in the kitchen.
Doctor Turner made his regular visit every day, watching the healing process and encouraging her in every way. One day after he had redressed the leg, he sat down and breathed a deep sigh. "I'm very pleased with the healing, Mary. You are doing very well. Do you have any questions for me before I go?"
She blinked back brightly. "Yes, I have, Doctor Turner. When may I eat?"
"Well, now, let me see. It has been several days. Are you hungry?"
"Sure am."
"Fine. Hunger is a good sign. A mighty good sign." He turned to Mama. "Mary may have something soft to eat today."
"Something soft. Hmmm...," Mama mused. "Let me see what is in the kitchen." Mama's long skirts swished past her as the doctor gathered his hat and bag. He turned at the doorway and nodded. "Good day, Miss Mary. Keep improving."
She giggled and waved as Mama stepped into the room with a saucer. Mary stared. Could it really be pink tapioca pudding? Mama set the saucer on her lap, and Mary scooped up a big bite immediately. The pink pudding spread over her tongue and slipped down her throat. She scooped up another spoonful and another and another.
"Slow down, Mary," Mama chuckled. Not too much at once," Mama said, smiling.
But Mary did not hear. She licked every bit of pudding from the spoon and saucer. Not a speck of pink pudding could Mama find when she came to take the dishes to the kitchen.
-"Summer of the Lost Limb" by Janis Good
Comfort foods are not usually thought of as health foods. Most of us think of foods like homemade macaroni and cheese, or buttery mashed potatoes as comfort foods. Comfort foods make us feel good on an emotional level, like pizza! I think that a food that comforts us should nourish us, as well. Nothing is wrong with mac-and-cheese or mashed potatoes. In fact, when made with wholesome, fresh ingredients, these foods can nourish our bodies. Truly good food should taste delicious and encourage health.
One old fashioned comfort food that many of us modern homemakers have neglected is tapioca pudding. I'm talking about the real deal, not the little plastic containers that come in six-packs. Did you know that in the 19th century, tapioca pudding was actually used as a medicine? As a starch, tapioca is very easily digested. It comes from the root of the cassava plant and is native to Central and South America. Another ingredient in tapioca pudding is banana. Bananas are a super food! One banana has 460 mg of potassium, magnesium, and fiber! Bananas are used to treat constipation and colon cancer, which means they are good for our digestive tracts. Tapioca pudding with bananas would be an ideal food to serve patients who are suffering from poor digestion. Sensitive tummies can be a real problem with young children, especially. Times of stress can often upset stomaches, even in adults. Tapioca is also an excellent choice to serve family members who are recovering from an illness and may not be up for a heavy meal, yet. It is a good transition food. The recipe that follows is a very simple one. I encourage you to give it a try the next time someone needs a bit of comforting in your home. Simply combine 14 ounces of coconut milk, 3/4 cup of goat or cow milk (If you don't use raw milk, substitute kefir), 1 farm fresh egg, 1/4 cup of tapioca, 1/4 tsp. of salt in a sauce pan and whisk these ingredients together. Bring to a simmer on stove-top and continue stirring until the mixture begins to thicken. Remove your pan from the heat and stir in 2 ripe mashed bananas and 1/8 cup of raw honey. Let this sit for another 10 minutes or so until nicely thickened. Serve in little cups and enjoy! To make pink pudding, stir in some homemade rasberry or strawberry preserves. Delicious!
