Basbousa as comfort food — exactly what I needed

Some dishes exist to comfort and Basbousa is absolutely in that category. The deeply savoury and spiced quality works on something almost primal — you feel the warmth of it immediately. cumin does work that no substitute can replicate.

Egyptian cuisine is one of the oldest recorded food cultures, with accounts dating to pharaonic times. There's something about the a family home dinner context that reinforces the comfort effect. mint tea alongside is the traditional way and it makes complete sense. I come back to this dish when I need something dependable and restorative.