Every time I take the first bite of zaatar w zeit (whether as mana'eesh or as a dip with bread), it takes me back years and years in the past, to the time I was in my first school years.. It might not be a comfort food, but it is definitely a security food...
The title of this post came from a friend/relative who gave this answer to me more than 10 years ago when I wondered why Palestinians are usually better performers academically (all Palestinian/Lebanese mothers feed their children zaatar sandwiches before exams because it is rumored to improve memory). So maybe it really improves memory or maybe it doesn't, but it definitely triggers memories.
