The Cover of Mouneh

Indrani Sen's Interview

I was cleaning out my e-mails the other day and found this interview conducted by New York reporter, Indrani Sen. She came to discover Lebanon and it's rich culinary roots. She came to my house —we had a man'oushé-making session and of course we ate the product of our labor. I looked over the interview and thought it would be suitable to post on my blog.


Indrani Sen's interview with me:




1. When did you become interested in food and what sparked your interest?


My interest in food started early in my life. I can remember my father writing me a postcard from Paris, while on a business trip "YOUR SAUCE BOLOGNAISE WAS ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS". I was so touched by this compliment. I must have been about 8 or 9 years old. I was brought up in an atmosphere where food was not only to feed oneself but an art in itself. Later in my life, my father opened a restaurant when I was fifteen years old and I worked there after school for three years. So I guess you can say, my interest in food has always existed.


2. How did you get the idea to write about man'oushé?


The idea to dedicate a whole book on man'oushé came about from a romantic dream I used to have. The dream was to make a thorough research on the pizza and the people behind this legendary pie. After having my three children, making dough became a passion. One day, after finishing a training in a restaurant, I woke up with the idea of doing a research on the man'oushé and disregarding the idea that the grass is always greener on the other side. What was available here in Lebanon was pretty magnificent— I just had to go and search for it—and that's what I did...


3. And mouneh?


The mouneh is the traditional Lebanese pantry. Being a fervent believer in everything that comes from the pantry. It was obvious that this was indeed my next step. The mouneh research is harder because there are so many subjects in so many different areas: dairy, pickling, jams, preserves, dried fruits and vegetables, etc...As the motto says, "SUCESS IS NOT THE DESTINATION, IT'S THE JOURNEY". I am learning a lot and having a great time doing it.


4. Why did you choose those two subjects, instead of other aspects of Lebanese cooking?


The journey is not over, I hope it's only the beginning. I will devote myself entirely to all aspects.


5. What is different about the relationship the Lebanese have with food, compared with other countries?


Food for Lebanese is everything. It's a way to be hospitable, it's a way to be sociable, it's a way to be creative, it's a way to be focused. Food is a celebration for the Lebanese— it can become their reason of being.

6. What role does food have in your household?


Food plays a very important role in our household. My son is very much interested in the culinary arena and not only does he love to help me cook, but he loves to EAT! My husband always says" If my wife is happy, the food is great; if she is sad, the food is not so great". It makes you think of that special ingredient that makes homemade food so special....My two daughters have a replica of our real kitchen in their playroom and play hours serving all kinds of delicious make-believe food to their dolls.I guess food definitely plays an important role in our family life.








In the kitchen of our summer home, baking our Sunday breakfast— man'oushé!

You are invited !

Come to Tawlet on November 18 from 6 p.m to 10 p.m and at Librairie Antoine in ABC Ashrafieh on November 20 from 5 p.m to 8 p.m.for the launching of Mouneh: Preserving Foods for the Lebanese Pantry.

Fish Tonight

I always say the best gifts are "food-related". Yesterday my husband Serge came home with a big bag in his hands. He was struggling to get in with his lunch bag, the bag full of "God knows what!" and his briefcase. Everyone jumped to kiss him, even the dog Belle pleaded for her daily caress. Then everyone went away leaving him with all his "stuff", ignoring his distress.  He got angry that nobody rescued him, put the bag on the kitchen counter and stated, "This is fresh fish from Syria from the a lake in Homs fished by Sleiman yesterday." Sleiman works with my husband at the family factory. I ran back to the kitchen immediately and we all started laughing!

So today, I was very inspired with this gift. I crushed garlic (lots), chopped an onion, squeezed some lemon juice, brought out my magical ingredient (olive oil from Beino, Akkar) and started on my masterpiece... all modesty apart, of course... It just adds flavor to the story... So, I thoroughly washed the fish with lemon juice and water. Drained the pieces well. Mixed garlic, lemon juice, added a teaspoon of paprika and poured the whole mixture on the appetizing  fish. I added the chopped onions, and chopped lots of fresh cilantro (coriander) to finish the work. A sprinkle of salt and the fish was ready to be cooked in the hot oven. It is very important to preheat the oven when baking, I always say... Now I'm going to sit down with my family and relish the savor of this delicious gift from Syria, Thanks Sleiman!

The fish before / after  it was cooked! Can you smell the coriander???? OK, I'm definitely hungry!

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My Photos in the New York Times

I invite you to watch this slide show with my photos taken of  my friend Chef Joe Barza's delicious Lebanese recipes. We are dreaming of doing a book together someday, maybe when I finish Mouneh and he finds time for me! :) He has become a famous chef who is sought out in all continents of the world. He spends his time traveling and cooking for many who are really impressed by his craft. Bravo Joe!  

Slide Show NY Times

My Printer's Reaction

He said, "It's 98% perfect! and I don't say this to everyone" So I am going to work on the 2% fallacy, as I am a beast of PERFECTION!!! This motivated me even more ...Now I am in the process of re-reading again and again, so amazing to see the book coming to life. We are testing different types of papers to see which one is best suited. There are so many variables that are taken into consideration when one wants to print a book... If you have a few hours, I'll tell you about them one day over a lavish meal...and a few glasses of red wine... :) OK, back to work...A lot of adrenaline... Keep thinking of Julia Child and her determination, gives me courage...The children are studying today at home, a collective state of mind. Better days ahead!

Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair.
Kahlil Gibran

Watch as a new life blossoms, slowly, naturally - as nature intended.

Next Step to Bringing the Book to Life

Today is the first day of the rest of my life, AGAIN! ... It is indeed a stepping stone for me! I am going to the printers to test papers and to get all the necessary information to advance. I have finished correcting the text of the book (now we have reached 580 pages, without the index). It is starting to look like a Bible... I have made 5 copies and have given them to people I trust to get their input on the material. At a certain point, one can't read one's work anymore. You get a sort of nausea and everything becomes blurry. I know I will read the book over again at least twice, but now I'm giving it a rest. I have put it on the shelf next to me for later viewing. When I go through all the pages of the written text and photos, it's kind of looking through an album (family / food / memoir). I have a file on my computer with the whole book. All I have to do is click a button and the pages unravel before me, it's quite magical. I thank God that I was able to finish and go through with the book, as it has not been an easy process. In this project I've had to be a cook, a photographer, a psychologist, a chemist, a mathematician, and so much more... Am I exaggerating, perhaps but that's how it felt.Many lessons were learned in the process. Of course I learned to produce the Lebanese pantry (MOUNEH) but at the same time I went through experiences which are even more important. I have met and socialized with the people behind the food production process from all regions of the country. I have shared this experience with my children, making them realize that they belong to a greater entity that is wider than the one that they are living in. It has taught them empathy, traditions, and has given them assurance... I know that this will have positive repercussions on their lives in the future.... I am sure! After all, we are all a product of our childhood and our childhood experiences. One friend viewed the book and exclaimed, "What is this a family album?" It is indeed one that I want to share with my fellow Lebanese. It is through the eyes of a photographer and the eyes of a woman like me who cherishes more than anything the livelihood of her children that I invite you to share my experiences to live through the Lebanese mouneh. The mouneh is part of an instinctive maternal characteristic - to nourish one's family and to preserve for times of need. It is imperative that the new generations learn the essentials of harvesting and storing one's abundance for later use. Commercial products will NEVER take the place of home preserved goods.... I am grateful to all those who have become a part of the making of the book. There are so many...

Off I go on my adventure, wish me luck!

Eat the World in Lebanon

Eat the World
09 Apr 10 - Sloweb
A Portuguese chef-writer couple and friends of Slow Food have embarked on a trip around the world to discover different cultures through the pleasures of the table, and share this knowledge with their home country. In their project Eat the World, Maria and Francisco Martins da Silva will travel through 23 countries in 365 days, living with families and learning recipes and techniques from local people - from housewives to renowned chefs. Their experiences will be documented on their website, a national Portuguese newspaper and a food magazine.

“Our aim is to make Portuguese society know what’s happening in the different countries in the world: what people eat, their traditions, where our food comes from, etc.,” the couple wrote. “We believe that cooking is the extension of our cultural, historical and religious heritage...We want to unveil local gastronomy, discover the world through the kitchen and describe it on paper, revealing it to others. ”

Maria and Francisco also spoke of their commitment to the responsibility tied hand in hand with gastronomy. “We are very in tune with Terra Madre. We’re interested in discovering the deep connection between plate and planet, and focusing on the role people play in eco-gastronomy. It makes us sad to think that there are hundreds of millions of people that do not have enough to eat and hundreds of millions more that overeat. On the one hand, malnutrition and the other, obesity...The choices that we make affect the world of those who aren't given the chance to choose.”

Since departing from Portugal in February, the couple have visited Mozambique, Zanzibar, the UK, Turkey and Syria and will soon head through the Middle East and Asia, North and South America. Their story, photographs and video recipes can be followed on their website Eat the World.

Article taken from the Slow Food Website.

Check out their website at:  Eat the World

This adorable couple came to visit me about a month ago at my home. We sat around drinking beer and spoke for hours about FOOD. I made them mana'ish with an assortment of local cheeses and Lebanese pickles because I thought that would be the appropriate food to serve them (given my background). They are really doing something wonderful. Maria sends me mails every so often telling me of their exciting trip. They have covered a lot of miles and continue to do so, while discovering the food traditions of each country. I envy them, who knows ... !!! I have good news, I have finished my book Mouneh, with the help of many people for whom I am so grateful. I shall site them in the book. Now I am especially grateful to my patient friend Jill Boutros who is editing the text and to Mirna Hamady , the graphic designer who is putting it all together... So much work, but I have faith... I'm almost there ...I want to stop sitting on my computer for more than 12 hours a day...I am going to take a trip to the Bekaa to write the introduction of the book, as I promised myself. I definitely need this closure... kind of like giving birth... can't sleep, I can eat, but too excited...

Things Happen for a Reason

Today something very bizarre happened to me, as it always does. From the very start of my culinary path, things have happened to me for a specific reason, I've received an e-mail on the subject. I will enclose it. I have met many people for a reason, I have visited a place for another reason, I have experienced an adventure for the sake of learning a valuable lesson, etc... Some of you may say, "this happens to all of us!" and I agree.

I was writing about soap making today for my Mouneh book. Two recipes will be included: The first is on how to make olive oil soap and the second one will give a detailed description on how to make laurel soap. It took me all morning to "decrypt" my findings.... OK, this is me being dramatic... I viewed a cd I had purchased a year ago in Saida concerning soap making, then I stopped and called my girlfriend to ask her about the founder of the Foundation. One hour later, THE FOUNDER called me to ask me about my project. It was really a weird coincidence. So I hope that this streak of telepathy will continue and that all goes smoothly until I find a way to print my 550 page book, full of photos - recipes - and stories. I have faith. It needed to be done, it's done - now the business side (which I absolutely despise). Oh and guess what, I have an idea for my next project, actually 3 ideas ... if only there were 24 hours in a day... I have the rest of my life to write about food, and that is what I shall be doing... What is the worst thing that can happen to a food writer? The food writer goes on a DIET!!! Wish me luck!

Here enclosed is the nice words I received through an e-mail from my friend Diva which make perfect sense to me...

People come into your life for a reason, 
a season or a lifetime. 

When you know which one it is, 
you will know what to do for that person... 

When someone is in your life for a REASON, 
it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. 

They have come to assist you through a difficulty, 
to provide you with guidance and support, 

To aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. 

They may seem like a godsend and they are. 

They are there for the reason you need them to be. 

Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at 
an inconvenient time, this person will say or do 
something to bring the relationship to an end. 

Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. 

Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand. 

What we must realize is that our need has been met, 
our desire fulfilled, their work is done. 

The prayer you sent up has been answered and 
now it is time to move on. 

Some people come into your life for a SEASON, 
because your turn has come to share, grow or learn. 

They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. 

They may teach you something you have never done. 

They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. 

Believe it, it is real. But only for a season. 

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons, 
things you must build upon in order to have a 
solid emotional foundation. 

Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person 
and put what you have learned to use in all other
relationships and areas of your life. 

It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant. 

Horeca 2010 - BeirutNightLife Interview