h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I love anything that gives me that comfortable feeling in my tum. I'm a huge fan of stews with mashed potatoes. Dumplings are good too (though I haven't got a good recipe for these at the moment). A mixture of onions, tomatoes, mushrooms, white wine, chicken (say), peppers and then a few things to make it aromatic (garlic, tarragon and a bay leaf) popped in the oven for an hour-and-a-half just tastes lovely. Another favourite is homemade baked beans or cassoulet. Yum and melt in the mouth. If I'm in a hurry though then really good quality sausages and mashed potatoes. Mmmmm. While I'm at it, a word about my dad's mashed potatoes, he pracically has it down to a science. He slices the potatoes to about 2cm thickness, adds a roughly sliced onion. Brings the water to the boil from cold. Boils them for 20 minutes. Strains them, takes out the onion, adds butter, milk and black pepper, and then whips them with an electric whisk. Divine

I love potato's cause they come in a variety of tastes and textures. They go with loads of other types of food and are great to eat both in summer and winter. I particularly love potato sandwiches,use thick crusty farmhouse bread, black pepper and salt - mmmmmmmmm! (mashed poatato that is)
Yeah, potato's are wicked - they don't recieve the hype that chocolate does, yet they're far more healthy, filling and versatile.
I also think potato noisettes are rather smashing.
mmmmmmmmmm potato's............

Oooo hash browns. What about them? They're brilliant!



Anna

Bleugh I hate potatoes. As a child I couldn't even stand crisps. I can manage chips if they are fully cooked and not too big (the crispiness disguises the potato texture) but the thought of mash just makes me feel ill. Potato is the food of the devil

Treachery! Treason!!!! Potato's are the way forward, maybe potato's don't like you missy!

Yes, they are - have a gold star.

Thank you all very much for your views - as you know from the Talking Point we are currently making a programme on Food for Comfort. I'd like to hear from anyone who'd be interested in being on television and who is passionate about comfort food (whatever your comfort food is.)

You can get in touch with me by email - [email protected], and I'll get back to you as soon as I can (which is Monday 12th August because I'm about to go on holiday!)

Best wishes

Emma Parkins
The Nation's Favourite Food
BBC Factual and Learning

Yeah - a live potato debate!