Comfort Food Isn't Always American

Comfort food to Americans is mac and cheese, meatloaf, lasagne and fried chicken, to name a few. But what about the comfort food of other regions of the world? We, as cooks, seeking a recipe for the ultimate family pleaser, tend to overlook the "pizza" and "chicken pot pie" of other countries. This weekend I decided to try my hand at comforting my family with North African comfort food. A bit of a surprise to them, but nonetheless thoroughly enjoyed, even by my 7 year old son, Duncan.

Duncan and I went to Florida for a week last week. We stayed with my dad and step mom for a few days in Jensen Beach and then the four of us drove to Disney World for three days. It was fun in the sun, but it certainly tuckered us out. We flew home into Albany on Thursday night and were met at the airport by my husband, Geoff, who whisked Duncan away for another 4 days of vacation, in New York City.

During my four days of independence I worked at the restaurant, but being in the house alone on my off time I was able to relax if I so chose. Come Sunday I was anxious to see my baby. I knew that both Geoff and Duncan would be exhausted! I knew a good homecooked meal is just what they would need.

I spent a good part of Sunday afternoon flipping through cookbooks to find the right mix of healthy, what a 7 year old would eat, and easy to make. Chicken Tagine, a North African dish, in James Peterson's "Splendid Soups", won my attention and I peeled myself off the couch to go the store and the restaurant to shop for ingredients.

The chicken was simmering by the time the guys got home from baseball practice (yes- off to baseball practice 5 minutes after arriving home!), filling the house with aromas of cinnamon, clove and saffron. Within an hour we were sitting at the dinner table together, spooning this fragrant stew into our sleepy heads. The tagine woke up our mouths and we spent dinner time excitedly sharing stories of our vacations. We were eating North African chicken stew and we were all very comfortable.

Case in point, mix it up a little with flavors that may seem a little uncomfortable. You'd be amazed at how easy it is to make Flemish Beef Stew or Greek Moussaka. Just start flipping through some cookbooks. Before you know it your family might start asking for Coq au Vin more often than they ask for Mac and Cheese!

I almost started typing this recipe onto this page when it occured to me that it may already be on the internet...and voila! It is! I served this dish with cous cous and an arugula and spinach salad. We even had enough left over for lunch the next day. Heaven!