Pandemic Cravings by Eman Mohammed

PANDEMIC CRAVINGS; Laila Mokhai... are a regular. Great Falls USA

PANDEMIC CRAVINGS; Laila Mokhaiber, trying "Baqdonsia" a Lebanese appetizer made with fresh parsley and garlic. Laila and seven of her family members been quarantining during the covid-19 pandemic. “ We have been living together for over a year now, so our Kitchen counter is never empty, someone is always cooking, my dad even grows most of the herbs we need for the recipes. Laila says while describing how cooking with the family has been “a remedy for their stress and a bonding opportunity.” Her mother Hind decided to start a new family tradition by asking each family member to take charge of dinner on Wednesday; the mixed origins of the Mokhaibers show clearly on their table, where family-style spreads are a regular. Great Falls USA

PANDEMIC CRAVINGS; Tahchin, an ...n of Torshi with Shai (tea) USA

PANDEMIC CRAVINGS; Tahchin, an Iranian rice cake primarily consisting of rice, yogurt, saffron, and egg, Mast-o Khiar made of Cucumber and Herb Yogurt, and a selection of Torshi with Shai (tea) USA

PANDEMIC CRAVINGS; Hind Mokhaib... are a regular. Great Falls USA

PANDEMIC CRAVINGS; Hind Mokhaiber making "Fatoush" a middle eastern salad recipe with fried bread. Hind her family members have been quarantining together during the covid-19 pandemic. She decided to start a new family tradition by asking each family member to take charge of dinner on Wednesday; the mixed origins of the Mokhaibers show clearly on their table, where family-style spreads are a regular. Great Falls USA

PANDEMIC CRAVINGS; Dominique Ma...travel and from friends."

PANDEMIC CRAVINGS; Dominique Maria Bonessi, Cuban-Italian-American Reporter, making Croquetas de Jamón (Spanish Ham Croquettes),Tostones- the fried plantains with chimichurri sauce on top, a Cuban dish out of cured Ham and coated with breadcrumbs, Bistec empanizado- breaded steak with onion and lime juice, served with Frijoles negros con arroz blanco-black beans and white rice. Dominique's love for creative food recipes regardless of their origin, took the front seat as an emotional outlet during the pandemic months, " growing up with Irish-Italian and Cuban heritage, allowed me to explore with food and dab·ble into my family's recipes and other ones that I learned through my travel and from friends."

PANDEMIC CRAVINGS; Lebanese salad with feta cheese.

PANDEMIC CRAVINGS; Abeer Ramada...tended families.” Baltimore USA

PANDEMIC CRAVINGS; Abeer Ramadan-Shinawi, a Palestinian-American Educator, photographed in her kitchen while flipping the pot as the final step to serve the Mkloba (upside-down) traditional dish that originates from Palestinian food heritage. Shinawi adds her own touch to the recipe by tweaking some of the spices additions. As a first-generation American, Abeer finds a lot of comfort in cooking family recipes during the trying of Covid-19 pandemic life. She describes her Mkloba craving during the Pandemic “ to me its a symbol of my heritage, and it's simple but satisfying.” Shinawi and her spouse hadn’t been able to visit or see most of their family members residing around the US and in Amman, so they decided to take turns in cooking their cravings during quarantine. After, “ to us, it's like a reminder of home’s love” while being unable to visit extended families.” Baltimore USA

PANDEMIC CRAVINGS; Abeer Ramadan-Shinawi, a Palestinian-American Educator and Program Lead at a national NGO, showing the result of the Makloba (Upside-down) dish. The recipe consists of multiple veggies layered with chicken and Arabian mixed spices before its topped with Rice. The traditional recipe originates from the Palestinian food heritage and has multiple recipes that Palestinian families pass along generations.As a first-generation American, Abeer says that she finds a lot of comfort in cooking such recipes during the trying times of pandemic life. She describes her Mkloba craving as “ to me its a symbol of my family's heritage, and it's simple but satisfying.” Shinawi and her spouse hadn’t visited with most of their family members residing around the US and overseas. Hence, they decided to take turns in cooking their food cravings during quarantine , and after, “ to us, it's like a reminder of home’s love” while being unable to see our extended families.” Baltimore USA

PANDEMIC CRAVINGS; Dominique Maria Bonessi, Cuban-Italian-American Reporter, tasting tostones- fried plantains with the chimichurri sauce. Dominique's love for creative food recipes regardless of their origin, took the front seat as an emotional outlet during the pandemic months, " growing up with Irish-Italian and Cuban heritage, allowed me to explore with food and dab·ble into my family's recipes and other ones that I learned through my travel and from friends."

PANDEMIC CRAVINGS; Dominique Maria Bonessi, Cuban-Italian-American Reporter, making Croquetas de Jamón (Spanish Ham Croquettes),Tostones- the fried plantains with chimichurri sauce on top, a Cuban dish out of cured Ham and coated with breadcrumbs, Bistec empanizado- breaded steak with onion and lime juice, served with Frijoles negros con arroz blanco-black beans and white rice. Dominique's love for creative food recipes regardless of their origin, took the front seat as an emotional outlet during the pandemic months, " growing up with Irish-Italian and Cuban heritage, allowed me to explore with food and dab·ble into my family's recipes and other ones that I learned through my travel and from friends."

PANDEMIC CRAVINGS; "The Im...haiber's kitchen counter.

PANDEMIC CRAVINGS; "The Immigrant cookbook" placed at Laila Mokhaiber's kitchen counter.

PANDEMIC CRAVINGS; Noor Saif, A...liever first and foremost.” USA

PANDEMIC CRAVINGS; Noor Saif, American Educator, baking a cake for her niece’s 13th birthday. Noor learned how to bake middle eastern desserts like Kunafah, Qatayef in addition to themed birthday cakes. Saif’s family enjoyed her baking till the pandemic prevented them from gathering anymore, “ I started to stress bake, as a teacher my job became more complicated and my family, including the kids, understood that it helps me, so everyone knows that im in a zone when I bake” she said while explaining how baking had a therapeutic effect on her pandemic life. The mother of two soon started giving away various desserts to family and friends as her baking overflew the family’s need. Her signature desserts had so much demand that Saif decided to turn her hobby into a business. “ I like baking because I didn’t start doing it as a business. I plan on keeping it fun and a stress reliever first and foremost.” USA

PANDEMIC CRAVINGS; Themed cakes...into a business Centerville USA

PANDEMIC CRAVINGS; Themed cakes baked by Noor Saif, an educator and mother of two. Saif found in baking a stress relief effect during the pandemic life, she quickly attracted customers, which inspired her to turn the customer's demand into a business Centerville USA

Centerville USA

PANDEMIC CRAVINGS; Soheil Oliae...ws people to gather ." USA

PANDEMIC CRAVINGS; Soheil Oliaei, Persian-American, Product Designer showing his dinner spread of Tahchin, an Iranian rice cake primarily consisting of rice, yogurt, saffron, and egg, Mast-o Khiar made of Cucumber and Herb Yogurt and a selection of Torshi with Shai (tea), all dishes were inspired by Oliaei's passion as a foodie, in addition to his ability to explore a diverse food culture throughout his life. He explains, "There are things we do to feed ourselves and things we do for the to feed our souls, to me food culture is precious, and it allows people to gather ." USA

PANDEMIC CRAVINGS; Dominique Maria Bonessi, Cuban-Italian-American Reporter, making Croquetas de Jamón (Spanish Ham Croquettes), a Cuban dish out of cured Ham and coated with breadcrumbs, Dominique's love for creative food recipes regardless of their origin, took the front seat as an emotional outlet during the pandemic months, " growing up with Irish-Italian and Cuban heritage, allowed me to explore with food and dab·ble into my family's recipes and other ones that I learned through my travel and from friends."

PANDEMIC CRAVINGS; Noor Saif, American Educator, baking a cake for her niece’s 13th birthday. Noor learned how to bake middle eastern desserts like Kunafah, Qatayef in addition to themed birthday cakes. Saif’s family enjoyed her baking till the pandemic prevented them from gathering anymore, “ I started to stress bake, as a teacher my job became more complicated and my family, including the kids, understood that it helps me, so everyone knows that im in a zone when I bake” she said while explaining how baking had a therapeutic effect on her pandemic life. The mother of two soon started giving away various desserts to family and friends as her baking overflew the family’s need. Her signature desserts had so much demand that Saif decided to turn her hobby into a business. “ I like baking because I didn’t start doing it as a business. I plan on keeping it fun and a stress reliever first and foremost.” USA

Eman Mohammed

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