Sitting around the hardwood table in the dormitory, we constructed together a meal that we felt embodied the term “comfort food” for all of us. This recipe, called Spicy Ramen Rice Casserole, held the desirable characteristics we sought after such as: spiciness, home-style flavor, and warmth. Most of the ingredients for this recipe came from Jewel grocery stores and ranged in price from $2.79 for both the beef ramen and the cheesy rice to the pre-cooked meat at $3.99. The jalapeños and hot sauce were both “purchased” from a group member 's home, in the same way food items are exchanged between inmates. Using these ingredients, we followed the recipe as called for and were thoroughly surprised with the overall normalcy and appeal of the food
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After the first bite, we realized the spread tasted as good as it looked, and was definitely comforting to eat. As we ate our food, we talked and laughed about our jobs, family, and school, much like the inmates described in Sandra Cate’s article. We felt influenced by her way of writing as we created our spread; we had all contributed equal parts, effort, and ingredients into the meal, much like what is expected out of any inmate eating or joining in a spread in prison. Eating this particular spread made us think about finding comfort in a difficult time, much like Alvarez had in his written story, Black and Brown Get Down!. In his story, he spoke about seeing and being in a riot between the Black and Hispanic inmates in the prison yard. He described his thoughts as the riot increased in hostility with rubber bullets, knife fighting, and tear gas, instead of panicking he stayed on the ground thinking only about his new spread,Spicy Ramen Rice Casserole. This backstory affected our choice, because not only did we find it interesting but we related to it on a personal level as we all have our own comforts that we seek unusual and distressing
After the first bite, we realized the spread tasted as good as it looked, and was definitely comforting to eat. As we ate our food, we talked and laughed about our jobs, family, and school, much like the inmates described in Sandra Cate’s article. We felt influenced by her way of writing as we created our spread; we had all contributed equal parts, effort, and ingredients into the meal, much like what is expected out of any inmate eating or joining in a spread in prison. Eating this particular spread made us think about finding comfort in a difficult time, much like Alvarez had in his written story, Black and Brown Get Down!. In his story, he spoke about seeing and being in a riot between the Black and Hispanic inmates in the prison yard. He described his thoughts as the riot increased in hostility with rubber bullets, knife fighting, and tear gas, instead of panicking he stayed on the ground thinking only about his new spread,Spicy Ramen Rice Casserole. This backstory affected our choice, because not only did we find it interesting but we related to it on a personal level as we all have our own comforts that we seek unusual and distressing