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...

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?

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/12/magazine/12policy-t.html?_r=2&em

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....

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

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?