Comfort Food

a white bowl with toasty zaatar covered potatoes and scrambled eggs

*Originally published on July 5, 2023

I need to get something off my chest. While sharing my food with other people is the main reason why I like to cook, there are some foods that I just make for myself. They're mine. It doesn't mean that if you ask me nicely to make you some I'll say no, it's just that the food will taste different. It's something about the energy. These foods are my comfort foods. I will never tire of them and they give me great fulfillment and peace while I'm eating them. I've chosen two of my comfort foods to share with you today, including the recipes, so you can make your own feel-good energy while you're in the kitchen (and I don't have to share).

Comfort food isn't just about the taste itself. There's something special about the before and after of the eating experience that makes the energy work, so the food hits the deepest parts of your soul. In the case of my first comfort food, it is best eaten directly after a workout and shower, preferably alone and in silence.

During the start of Covid my dad started to dive into the world of spice mixes and came across the Middle Eastern household staple Za'atar. It's a blend of roasted sesame seeds, marjoram, oregano, sumac, and the za'atar herb (usually substituted with thyme in the States). The result is a gorgeously floral, slightly tangy, and wonderfully toasted spice blend that you can add to virtually anything. One day, he cut up some potatoes, added some za'atar, olive oil, and salt, and threw them in the oven for about 25 minutes. He served them with dinner after a particularly hard swim practice and I couldn't get enough. They're savory, toasty, fluffy, and crispy all at once. Since then, I've perfected the za'atar/olive oil/salt ratio and prefer to serve them alongside scrambled eggs after any type of workout.

Za'atar potatoes and eggs.

               You will need:

              1 Russet potato 

              1/2 cup olive oil, 1 tbsp for the eggs

              1/4-1/2 cup za'atar

              2-3 generous pinches of kosher salt

              2 eggs

Preheat your oven to 400F. While that preheats, cut up your potato into bite-sized pieces.. Add the potatoes to a bowl along with the olive oil, za'atar, and salt. Toss together and spread out on a foil-lined sheet pan. Bake for 25-30 mins. Serve with the two eggs any way you choose (I prefer scrambled). 

My second comfort food is kind of funny. We have a $600 espresso machine at home and every member of my family uses it every day. We rarely go out to get coffee and have since created an at-home café. Despite our state of the art espresso machine, I've come to conclude that there's nothing like a warm mug of Maxwell House. I was first introduced to an ultra-vanilla version of the drink on New Year's a couple years ago while visiting a friend in college. My friend's roommate's girlfriend (that's a mouthful) made us these mugs of vanilla-coffee deliciousness on New Year's Day while it was raining. Needless to say, I would bet all the money in my pockets that this drink is what the Harry Potter Butterbeer tastes like if I were transported into the books this very second. Since trying it for the first time, I always have a tin of Maxwell House French Vanilla at home for when it gets cold and rainy.

Lily's Vanilla Latte

             1 mug full of your milk of choice

            2-3 tbsp Maxwell House French Vanilla

            vanilla syrup

            vanilla extract/essence

Microwave your mug of milk until warm. Add the Maxwell House and stir until dissolved. Add vanilla syrup and extract and stir. Microwave for another 30 seconds or until you've reached your desired temperature. Find a windowsill and enjoy while it's raining. 

While these are some of my comfort foods, this might be the perfect time to go make yours instead. Regardless of what you eat after reading this, I hope that's it's as magical as potatoes and eggs after a workout or a vanilla latte when it's raining.