Thursday, April 22, 2010

Alice Waters

I met Alice Waters a few years ago in Puebla Mexico at a Slow Food event. I had heard of her vaguely before my trip and read her profile hours before heading to the airport. I was captured by the essence of her work. One night, as we were treated to a lavish dinner, I came up to her and handed her my book. I told her that I came from Beirut and would like to give her a token of my appreciation. When one meets Alice, you are immediately mesmerized by her charm, her smile, and her way of speaking. I walked back to my table. The next day, running to a conference, I bumped into her again. I asked her what she thought of my book, no words came out of her mouth, she simply came up to me and gave me a huge hug, then she said, "I really loved it!" Since then, I have become a fervent follower of Alice and her work. She has left a trace, both in my heart and in my mind. I intend to use her experience as a base to work on tracing my own path, the journey I am actually living each day in Lebanon. I intend to make a difference in my country for our children - for the future generation who will become the parents of tomorrow. I intend to feed many spiritually and physically in the process.

Please take the time to view Alice's video. You can follow her work on Facebook on the Alice Waters fan page!

http://money.cnn.com/video/smallbusiness/2009/08/24/sbiz_hwgs_alice_waters.smb/

A photo I took of Alice the night we all ate and danced in Mexico - What an unforgettable evening!

"To me, food is the one central thing about human experience which can open up both our senses and our consciences to our place in the world. Consider this: Eating is something we all have in common. It’s something we all have to do every day and it’s something we can all share. Food and nourishment are right at the point where human rights and the environment intersect. Everyone should have the right to wholesome, affordable food." 

  "What could be a more delicious revolution than to start committing our best resources to teaching this to children?—by feeding them and giving them pleasure; by teaching them how to grow food responsibly; and by teaching them how to cook it and eat it, together, around the table? When you start to open up a child’s senses—when you invite children to engage, physically, with gardening and food—there is a set of values that is instilled effortlessly, that just washes over them, as part of the process of offering good food to other people. Children become so rapt—so enraptured, even—by being engaged in learning in a sensual, kinesthetic way. And food seduces you by its very nature—the sme smell of baking, for example: It makes you hungry! Who could
resist the aroma of fresh bread, or the smell of warm tortillas coming off the comál?"

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Quote of the Day

Do not follow where the path may lead,go instead where there is no path and leave a trail ... Thanks Sami! I think Emerson would like this...

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Michael Pollan - Farmer in Chief


Let us eat food that is organic, local, pasture-based, and humane…
Take the time to read this article, it's very interesting! It makes me wonder how we are ever going to regulate our food system in Lebanon. Who will be the Michael Pollan in our country? How will we educate farmers and producers to use the right system to provide good quality foods for our citizens. We don't hear about resolutions that have been taken to resolve the existing problems. The planet earth is going through many natural disasters lately, is this a warning from Mother nature? What can one person do, that another can follow, that another can learn from, that another can carry out, that another can initiate? I think we are taking many things for granted... the human race has destroyed the planet with their greed,  while  looking down on the animal kingdom (who by the way has never participated in this destruction) ... What can one person do?

Friday, February 19, 2010

Green Olives

A producer's skilled gestures, expertly crushing the flesh of  fresh green olives to preserve them in brine through a process transcended through generations....









Friday, February 12, 2010

Labneh Cheese Balls

 Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words!

This is Sawsam Shaaban, small-market producer at Souk el Tayeb. She is making labneh cheese balls in her home... The detailed recipe will be included in the Mouneh book starting with making one's yogurt, then details will follow on how to make labneh, and finally how to preserve the cheese balls in oil.

I'm Back!!!

Hello to all my readers, I'm back! I had internet connection problems and now it's all settled.... For good... I'm so happy to be able to write on my BLOG... Today I will be delving in the world of figs - to write all the recipes for mouneh dealing with figs. I decided to take the time to write on my Blog (before I enter the fig maze!!!) Why did I write maze, because my dear readers, writing these recipes is like deciphering an unsolved mystery. It might sound easy to you, but when you are trying to write a book (professionally, of course) you have so many details that are lurking to haunt you... OK, I won't bore you with all my anxieties... No one should know about them... The book comes out, everyone says, "Mabrouk!" meaning congratulations in Arabic and that's that... No one knows what you go through to get that perfect photo, that perfect recipe, that perfect encounter with a producer or a farmer, that muse to keep you going... Am I babbling again!

STOP....

Today, I heard a speech which really touched me... I have posted it for everyone to hear. Look down below...Take 5 minutes of your time to listen to each word that woman has to say. It is very inspiring. My friend Georgia who lives in Montreal sent me the link this morning. It certainly hit home! I can relate to what she is saying.. I can relate to wanting something so much, to look for it inside of you, and to reach for your goal. Of course it doesn't happen easily, does anything in life? But the basic idea is that if you can dream, you have the chance to achieve that dream... if you really set your mind and soul on the goal...

Two days ago I found a bird in the middle of  the street. It was not hurt. It did not move. I picked it up, held it, caressed it ... He clung to me as if he was on a branch. I was so amazed. I could not take him home, for my cat Tchu-Tchu would have gone wild. I gave the bird to my friend. The bird relentlessly let go of my hand. I felt that this certainly must symbolize something... Was God trying to communicate to me through this bird... I told my friend who held the bird, "Today will be different"... Something will come out of this... I am not a superstitious person. I don't believe in that, but I believe that nature speaks to us all the time...and indeed hours later, I was told that my colleague and very good friend was hospitalized. He clung to his life... He's OK now....Thank God!  The same day an enthusiastic foreign man coming from a neighboring country calls to tell me that we are destined to meet, that we should meet ASAP. His journey in Lebanon had led him to me... to my book... to my work.... He envisages a mutual collaboration... for he has interesting FOOD related projects too...Will my food visions travel borders? Who's to say...Many things to think about...

I shall go back to my figs now!!!! 

I wanted to share this photo -This is a farmer selling figs on the side of the road in Abdine - a charming tiny village, where I am told my ancestors originally came from.... thus, came about my maiden name Abdeni...

JK Rowling: The fringe benefits of failure | Video on TED.com

JK Rowling: The fringe benefits of failure | Video on TED.com

Monday, January 25, 2010

Marcelle Ghanem - LBC

Marcelle Ghanem, a local TV spokesperson who has a weekly talk show on LBC, discussed FOOD and its origin in Lebanon. Unfornutaley I was not able to see it but I heard that it is a DISASTER... our food is contaminated and there are many variables to look for ... I was told he discussed fruit, vegetables, meat, and chicken... also Dairy foodd... I wish I had known...the FOOD topic will continue this week on Thursday night. I will surely be watching... Won't you?

Monday, January 11, 2010

Le Galet - A Fish Restaurant in Tabarja

Ziad Akkaoui, the man behind the new restaurant in Tabarja Le Galet, has finally acted on his "calling". Le Galet is a fish restaurant and a future sushi bar located in the coastal village of Tabarja overlooking the Mediterranean sea. The setting is very relaxing, the food is delicious, the service is friendly, and the ambiance will bring you back over and over again. It's the perfect outing for a family, as all the children head for the beach full of beach pebbles. It can also be the perfect setting for a couple looking for romance. You can start with some arak served with homemade pickles, and continue with an array of seafood mezza along with the quintessential plates of hummus, tabbouleh, fattoush, etc. My favorite appetizer is a shrimp dish cooked in oil with slits of garlic and chili peppers. It was hard for me to let go of the dish full of oil - perfect for dipping. As you make your order, you have to choose the fish you want to eat after the lavish appetizer setup. You can have your fish deep-fried or grilled seasoned with cumin and other local spice flavors served with a bed of vegetables. The seafood tastes fresh and Ziad explained to me that he personally goes to Tripoli to the fish market every morning to pick out the catch of the day to serve to his customers. The recipes have been revised and you can feel the creative touch and feel of the chef. I visited the kitchen and was impressed by its cleanliness and by its organized setup. I wish Ziad and his restaurant Le Galet success and longevity. I think when one follows his passion and works on making it happen with determination and professionalism, it's bound to work! For reservations call: 09 853871/2 or 09-103830 or 70-542221.

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