Now more than ever, as the very earth seems to shift beneath our feet, we’re finding comfort and solace in simple pleasures. Drawn back into the kitchen, the heart of the home, even those who once claimed to despise the domesticity of cooking are deftly, urgently tying on their aprons. Exactly what is everyone cooking, though? What is it that speaks most to the soul in times of crisis, that nourishes physically and emotionally?
Google would like to weigh in.
Below is a list of the top ten most searched recipes on Google since quarantine conditions began around mid-March, followed by my personal suggestions for corresponding dishes found right here on little old BitterSweet.
What are you craving most?
Top 10 Recipe Searches During Coronavirus Quaratine
Stuck at home with scant entertainment and unsatisfying work, there's no better way to spend your time than a warm kitchen. Here are the most popular recipes cooks are making across the country right now, separated by physical distance but together in spirit.
1. Banana Bread; Simply Banana Bread
Packed with soft chunks of whole banana and crunchy pecans, this particular rendition relies more on the inherent sweetness of the fruit itself than additional sugar. Some may look at that crumb and cry out that it’s under-baked, criminally banded with a sad streak almost as thick as the slices themselves, but that’s exactly what I crave in a good banana bread.
2. Pizza Rolls
Prepared with an effortless pizza dough recipe, these vegan pizza rolls are an instant crowd-pleaser.
3. French Toast; Sweet & Simple French Toast
When I first attempted French toast, it was still very early in my "career" as a vegan. Because I had yet to really move into my element in the kitchen, my whole family remained dubious of what could be done without milk or eggs. Still, I persevered and came up with this impossibly buttery, eggy, cinnamon-scented rendition with ease. All it took was one mouthful of this delicious dish for my skeptical loved ones to start thinking about veganism in an entirely different way.
4. Chocolate Cake; Ultra-Moist Amazing Chocolate Layer Cake
Creamy bittersweet chocolate frosting is the luscious glue that holds together this tower of three tender cake rounds together, and though no further decoration is needed, a light dusting of confectioner's sugar really seals the deal. Nothing short of a show-stopper, it may not be a surprising choice, but it's sure not your average cocoa birthday cake.
5. Dalgona Coffee; Cloud Macchiato
A luxuriously velvety layer of foam crowns this strong iced latte, lightly sweetened with notes of caramel.
6. Chicken Breast; Meatless Chickens Paprika
Warmly spiced with the smoky undertones of rich Spanish and Hungarian paprika, this is an easy, meatless dish that the whole family will love.
7. Carrot Cake; Yeasted Carrot Cake Bread
Speckled with walnuts, raisins, and of course orange flecks of carrot, this new take on carrot cake is certainly a mouthful, but it’s not at all hard to swallow. One might even feel slightly virtuous selecting a slice or two for breakfast, since you’re getting a nice serving of carrot, right?
8. Ground Beef; Cheeseburger Stuffing
Served for Thanksgiving or any day at all, this hotdish combines the best parts of classic cheeseburger, from hearty meatless ground beef to sesame buns, and of course a generous topping of shredded vegan cheese.
9. Stir Fry; Stir-Fried Taiwanese Cabbage
Cabbage like you've never tasted before. Tender, rich, and almost buttery, this fast stir-fry will change the way you think about the humble green leaves.
10. Chocolate Chip Cookies; Palm Oil Chocolate Chip Cookies
Thick, soft, and chewy chocolate chip cookies that may just rival what mom used to make!
Bagels and Miyoko’s Unloxed Cream cheese. It has become my morning ritual, half a bagel, add capers, onions, tomatoes, salt, and a little Tones Six Pepper for a kick. Just like what I had growing up… but better.
Well that just sounds like a little bite of heaven. I love that cream cheese! Honestly, it’s about good enough to eat by the spoonful.
Since lockdown began I’ve cooked and baked loads. I’ve made roasted parsnip and sweet potato soup, sweet potato and lentil soup, vegetable soup and today, celeriac soup. I’ve baked soda bread and traditional yeasted bread, banana, chocolate and ginger cake, hidden zebra cake, lemon drizzle cake and devonshire scones. Oh, and home made yogurt too. Lots of comfort eating!
I love it! You’re certainly not wasting time over there and making the most of the situation. This definitely calls for comfort food in all forms. Soups and sweets are right on point.
Seeing a trend here and it looks like comfort food seems to be where most are looking. Everything on your list looks absolutely delicious and it looks like we have missed a few of your recipes and need to round back and give them a go.
Looks like all comfort food like HWC mentioned. Those are all keepers, specially that cheeseburger stuffing and pizza rolls
These are great recipes, yum! We’ve been doing a lot of protein pasta with marinara sauce for comfort food here.