A Muslim, A Jew, and A Christian

It sounds like the beginning of a joke, but it's not! In prior posts I have discussed the value of sharing food. Ever feel like you just cook too much food and end up throwing it out? I have a severe problem of cooking wayyyyy too much! I HATE throwing away food. I have pondered this problem for a long time and my resolution is to find other friends who have the same problem and arrange cooking nights. Three times a week we all get together and one of us cooks for the others. Yes, and that is how you get a Muslim, a Jew, and a Christian at the dinner table!! We all have a passion for food! A central part of our week is knowing that we will get together, share food, and share our lives. Maybe you can't commit three nights a week, but try doing it once a week, or once every other week. It not only diversifies what you eat, but it creates a community that surrounds you with nurture and good company!

Well let's honor these religions by coming together and eating some Jewish style Chicken Soup. I promise it is delicious!! This recipe has come fully recommended by a Muslim, a Jew, and a Christian.

Sometimes we take ourselves too seriously. A little humor always helps. If we can't laugh at ourselves and see the humor in our differences, then we will never get along!

Two possibly not so politically correct videos that have made us laugh at our dinners:

Jewish Chicken Soup


Ingredients

2 Chicken Legs
2 Onions (white) sliced
3-4 Large Carrots chopped
1-2 Large Sweet Potatoes chopped
1 Large Parsnip chopped
Large Bunch of Parsley
Salt
Pepper
2-3 Chicken seasoning cubes
Thick Egg Noodles
Water


Directions

I have never written down this recipe, so I apologize if it is at all incoherent. First you fill up a large pot with water, but leave room for the chicken and vegetables. Soak the chicken in water the chicken legs (pull of the skin). Bring the water to a boil and then turn to a medium/low heat and put in chicken seasoning and then the chicken in. Leave in water for around 15 minutes. Put in all of the vegetable and continue to cook on a low to medium heat until veggies are soft or if you prefer them a little crunchier do them for less time). You can cook the chicken soup for a long time on a low heat. Add Salt and Pepper to you liking. You can always add more chicken seasoning cubes if you feel like it needs more. At the end add parsley. You will know the chicken is done when it falls off the bone. Serve with noodles and Matzoh balls.

Egg Noodles

I recommend cooking them separately and then adding them to each individual bowl when you are ready to serve, otherwise they can get soggy.

Matzoh Balls

If you want Matzoh Balls buy a packet and follow directions. Cook them separately and then add them to the soup when you are ready to serve.

Also, if you have gluten allergies or Celiac disease try finding gluten-free noodles and eat the soup without Matzoh balls. You can find gluten free seasoning cubes at most grocery stores.

If you have any questions please leave a comment and I will respond asap!

Enjoy!!

Eating Our Way to Peace

Did you know that food is a vital part of high-level negotiations? Most times before, during, and after negotiations members from all parties eat together. This is an important part of humanizing the other side and making connections. These meals help the negotiations run as smoothly as possible. Ever think of having a meal with someone you don't know that well or don't get along with, and try to make a connection? Maybe you should try it!

There have been numerous negotiations in the Middle East, especially between Israel and Palestine. In honor of finding a way to peace one day, let's all eat some Tabouleh (Tabouli)! It is a simple, healthy, and easy to make Middle Eastern side dish. I highly recommend switching up and trying it instead of your regular salad. It is the perfect compliment to so many dishes! I grew up eating tabouleh, as one of my mother's favorite side dishes. Let's eat for some peace!


Before preparing the Tabouleh you must watch!!!

I recommend watching this documentary by Sut Jhally and Bathsheba Ratzkoff called Peace, Propaganda, and the Promised Land about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Synopsis: This video shows how the foreign policy interests of American political elites-working in combination with Israeli public relations stratgies-influence US news reporting about the Middle East conflict. Combining American and British TV news clips with observations of analysts, journalists and political activists, Peace, Propaganda & the Promised Land provides a brief historical overview, a striking media comparison, and an examination of factors that have distorted U.S. media coverage and, in turn, American public opinion.

This is Part 1 of Part 8. The entire documentary can be watched on youtube. This link directly to the whole documentary on youtube. I could not upload the video for some reason.
Full video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28MfDhM2zd4

Here is a recipe I found for Lebanese Tabouleh!

Ingredients 

• 1/2 cup fine bulgur
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cup boiling-hot water
• 2 cups finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley (from 3 bunches)
• 1/2 cup finely chopped fresh mint
• 2 medium tomatoes, cut into 1/4-inch pieces
• 1/2 seedless cucumber*, peeled, cored, and cut into 1/4-inch pieces
• 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Preparation

Stir together bulgur and 1 tablespoon oil in a heatproof bowl. Pour boiling water over, then cover bowl tightly with plastic wrap and let stand 15 minutes. Drain in a sieve, pressing on bulgur to remove any excess liquid.

Transfer bulgur to a bowl and toss with remaining ingredients, including 2 tablespoons oil, until combined well.

* These long, narrow cucumbers are often marketed as "European" and are usually sold in plastic wrap to protect their thin, delicate, unwaxed skin.

Read More http://www.epicurious.com:80/recipes/food/views/Lebanese-Tabbouleh-106589#ixzz1nIDhS2A8

You should be able to find bulgur at your local grocery store. It should be near the rice and couscous. If you can't just ask! I have seen recipes that substitute couscous and quinoa (if you have celiac disease or are allergic to wheat these are good substitutes). You can try substituting though I have not. If you do not know what bulgur is here is a link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bulgur

 Enjoy! !يتمتع! תהנו

Seeds of Peace: Rice, rice, rice!!

I think rice is an essential part of almost every meal. . . well bread is wonderful, there is nothing like delicious rice. I did not know until I started cooking that there were so many versions of rice. I shouldn't really admit this, but being from Pittsburgh (home of Heinz ketchup) I used to mix rice with ketchup. Don't judge me now because my tastes have evolved and wouldn't do that anymore! I have learned several version of rice from those special people in my life who took time to teach me. The simple rice recipe I am going to share is a Brasilian rice. You really can't go wrong with this rice! Oddly enough, I did not learn this rice while I was in Brasil, but after my visit, in Washington, DC through some Brasilian friends. People there are no excuses! The opportunities are all around you!! In celebration of Carnival time we should all eat some Brasilian rice!

Here are links to two documentaries about Brasil:

One is called Dancing with the Devil- It is about the favelas (shantytowns) and drugs

Synopsis: Rio de Janeiro. September, 2008. Three men stalk the gloomy back-alleys of the city's notorious slums. Spiderman, a 28-year-old drug lord, embarks on a routine patrol through the shadowy streets of Coréia, the sprawling slum he controls. Inspector Leonardo Torres, a muscle-bound operative from Rio's drug squad, inches through the alleys of another shantytown, shots ringing out around him. And Pastor Dione, an evangelical preacher intent on ending Rio's drug conflict, trawls the slums for lost souls. With unprecedented access to some of Rio's most wanted men, Dancing with the Devil in the City of God tells the story of Rio's drug war through the eyes of three men locked into one of the bloodiest urban conflicts on earth.

(You can watch parts 1-10 which is the entire documentary on youtube.)

The second is called Hummingbird- It's about the sex industry in Recife (a place I visited, with warm hosptality and delicious food from my friend's family)

Synopsis: Can one person really make a difference? This documentary explores the work of two non profits started by women in Recife, Brazil. Through their grassroots efforts, they help kids get off the streets and women break the cycle of domestic violence, to find a second chance.

http://documentaryheaven.com/hummingbird/

But don't forget Brasil is also full of wonderful people, food, and culture!!

BRASILIAN RICE RECIPE

Ingredients

• 2 cups long-grain white rice or basmati rice
• 2 tablespoons minced onion
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (or olive oil)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 4 cups hot water 

1. Place the rice in a colander and rinse thoroughly with cold water; set aside.
2. Heat the oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook the onion, garlic, and salt (before putting the garlic in mash it up with the salt) in the oil for one minute. Stir in the garlic and cook until the garlic is golden brown. Add the rice and mix with the oil, garlic, and onion together. Let it sit for about a minute or two (if the rice starts browning immediately pour water in). Pour hot water over rice mixture and stir. Reduce heat to low, cover the saucepan, and allow to simmer until the water has been absorbed, 20 to 25 minutes. If you use Basmati rice it may not take as long.

Bom Apetite!

Thai Food

Some of my favorite food is Thai food. I can attribute my open-mindedness towards food to my mother. She did not raise me on typical American food. Her delicious food always had more of an Asian and Mediterranean theme. The first dish I even cooked was a Thai Coconut Curry dish, so Thai food will always have a place in my heart. My mother is also responsible for my strong affection for inviting others into my house and sharing food. So make my mother proud and share your food!

I did a little research on Thailand and conflict. Thailand has recently has experienced violence on its Southern border due to a separatist movement. There have been over 4,000 deaths reported in this region. For more information http://www.insightonconflict.org/conflicts/thailand/

It is cold outside!! So here is a recipe for delicious Thai Coconut Chicken Soup that I recently tried. I highly recommend it. It is actually quite easy to do. This dish is perfect to share with others. Think about inviting someone new over and learning something about them over a bowl of Thai Chicken Soup.

Tom Kha Gai Recipe (Thai Coconut Chicken Soup)
Ingredients:
8 oz boneless and skinless chicken (breast or thighs, cut into thin strips)
1 1/2 cup coconut milk
1 cup water
1 stalk lemongrass (cut into 3-inch lengths and pounded)
6 kaffir lime leaves (lightly bruised to release the flavor)
6 slices galangal (ginger)
1 large red thai bird’s eye chili (lightly pounded)
3 tablespoon fish sauce
2 1/2 tablespoon lime juice (or to taste)
1 Tablespoon of lime zest
1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
1 half of a red pepper (thinly sliced)
1 carrot (thinly sliced)
1 tablespoon of red curry paste
1 tablespoon of brown sugar

Method:
Add coconut milk, water, lemongrass, galangal (ginger), chilies, kaffir lime leaves, and lime zest into a pot and bring it to boil. Add chicken, peppers, carrots and boil it on medium heat for a few minutes or until the chicken is cooked through. Add lime juice and fish sauce to taste. Add chopped cilantro before serving.

If you cannot find kaffir lime leaves you can skip using them. I did because I couldn't find them at the time. I added the pepper and carrots to the recipe so they are optional. Also you may cut up the large bird's eye chili if you like it spicy. Another option is to cook rice noodles and add them to the soup when you are ready to serve. If you have not cooked with lemongrass before, I recommend watching a youtube video to learn how to use it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exe3Aa1d7Ro

Bon Appetit!!

Welcome! Bem-vindo! Bienvenido! Bienvenue! Hoşgeldin! Hoan nghênh! Merhbe! ยินดีต้อนรับ! Karibu! Добро пожаловать! Bun venit! 환영합니다! !خوش آمديد !ברוך הבא !أهلاً و سهل

This blog was created with the intentions of sharing the value and connection that food can create between people from different cultures. We must all nurture our bodies with food, which is a commonality we all have and cannot deny. Some of my best friends, conversations, and connections have been from someone taking time out of their day to share their food and company with me. Food has inspired me to go beyond my comfort zone, explore different cultures, eat delicious dishes, taste new flavors, and learn about other people and their cultures. This blog will follow my food and people adventures and list recipes for all those that would like to try something new. I encourage all of you to step outside your comfort zone and make some food friendships!!