Stews and hotpots on a (casse)role
It’s hot, tasty and most probably reminds you of your mum, so it’s easy to see why the humble casserole has been voted the nation’s favourite comfort food, in a survey out today.
Beating off stiff competition from chocolate cake and shepherd’s pie, over a fifth (21%) of Brits voted the one pot wonder as their top feel-good food in the Asda poll.
A further 25% of people said that casseroles regularly replace their usual Sunday roasts as temperatures drop.
Number four in the list was the east-end favourite of pie and mash, with 13% of shoppers surveyed naming it as their top winter warmer.
The results of the survey are reflected in sales of casseroles at the supermarket, which are at an all time high. 75,000 Chosen by you casseroles are currently flying off shelves each week, ensuring casserole sales as a whole are up by a hearty 25% since this time last year.
With longer working hours and less disposable income than ever before, mums are naturally looking for ways to take care of her family without cutting corners on quality – the casserole provides a quick, nutritious and hearty meal for all the family, for under a fiver.
With demand showing no sign of cooling, Asda has launched a selection of new Chosen by you casseroles, priced at £4 each or two for £7, made with prime cuts ofmeat and topped off with rich sauces and gravy. With flavours including beef, chicken, pork, lamb, sausage and chicken chasseur, Asda’s new range shows the versatility of the one-pot dishh
But it’s not just dropping temperatures that have led to a resurgence in the sales of all things hearty with almost a third of Brits saying that when times are tough they tuck into familiar foods that spark feelings of nostalgia and remind them of their childhood.
Other foods that made the top ten include beans on toast (12%), macaroni cheese (10%), and a wholesome soup with bread and butter (2%).
Jim Viggars, Asda’s head of meat quality says, “With a continued uncertain economic outlook, coupled with shorter days and lower temperatures, it’s no wonder that shoppers are turning towards familiar family foods that warm the heart. Oursales of traditional comfort foods are pie-high at the moment, and we’re expecting our new range of casseroles to really turn up the heat on posh nosh as temperatures continue to fall.”
Top ten comfort foods
1. Casserole/stew (21%)
2. Chocolate cake (17%)
3. Shepherd’s pie (15%)
4. Pie and mash (13%)
5. Beans on toast (12%)
6. Macaroni cheese (10%)
7. Sausages and mash potato (5%)
8. Jam roly poly and ice cream (4%)
9. Soup and roll (2%)
10. Bread and butter pudding (1%)