I could not think of a better tagline that sums up this blog than Flavors from Around the Globe!
A short time after I arrived in Southern California, the idea of sharing my passion for cooking and baking started to bubble, and with a little push from a dear friend and a famous food-blogger, I decided to publish this blog.
I guess what gave me the inspiration for my blogging journey and choosing the tagline, “Flavors from Around the Globe” is not just my extensive travels but also being in California and having the luxury of sunshine, ocean, long summer days, and definitely the abundance and variety of fresh produce, all of which have left a great mark on my cooking experience and contributed to bringing this blog to life.
My passion for cooking started in Beirut where I grew up. Lebanese food is healthy and amazingly delicious.
I used to watch my mom cook all kinds of Mediterranean dishes and I would write down some of her recipes that I still make and enjoy with my children until today.
After university I moved to Dubai, where I worked and lived for many years. Dubai is a vibrant, cosmopolitan city that has its own charm and character. I love every bit of living there and Dubai will always have a special place in my heart.
My time in Dubai was a great learning experience that ignited my love and passion for cooking because it was my gateway to the whole world and its flavors.
In addition, my work entailed that I travel a lot and I have been blessed to visit many countries and explore our amazing world.
Every country I visited meant a new learning experience. A new culture to admire, a language to pick up few words here and there and try to make sense of what they meant.
Learning about people’s customs, traditions, practices, food, and indulging in new culinary experiences was a blessing and a reward each time I traveled.
I have been to so many amazing cities and wonderful places around the world.
One of my favorite places is Italy!
Italia has so much to offer; every city is unique and every region is special in its own way. I have spent many of my vacations in Rome, Florence, Venice, Milan and many other beautiful Italian cities. I made so many friends and I was lucky to experience different foods cooked by friends
and their families.
I share with many Italians the love for good coffee, cheese, balanced and fresh desserts. I was once at the home of my best friend in Rome, Ilaria, who cooked a simple yet amazing spaghetti with zucchini. I will be writing about her recipe in this blog for sure.
In Morocco I was blown away by the colors and flavors of the dishes. Moroccan food is rich, flavorsome, sweet and salty all in one bite. Chicken Tagine with olives and lemon is one of my favorite dishes. I remember my first visit to Morocco 15-odd years ago where I bought a cookbook that I still use today. Moroccans use a lot of spices in their food, cinnamon, turmeric, cumin, and many more. I use all of that in my food now.
My journey continues around Asia, Europe, the Arab World and Africa, all the way to Cape Town where Capetonians, have the luxury of using the best meats and the freshest vegetables on the face of earth.
I would like to share recipes I picked up from here and there or recipes that I have created hoping that you will enjoy them with your loved ones and that cooking becomes your passion too.
