Rana, IRAQ
“I want to share a brighter picture of my home… that’s what I’m hoping people will take away from my classes – more of an understanding of the positive, beautiful side of my heritage.”
Rana believes that cooking for loved ones is a form of healing. A type of culinary medicine for both chef and guests alike. “Food is a major part of our culture, it’s a way to show others that you care,” she says. Her stories are of Baghdad during peacetime. They speak to a cosmopolitan city that’s as chaotic as it is beautiful – a city that smells of cardamom tea, fried bread and fresh coriander; a city of bustling bazaars and museums that house an intersection of Middle Eastern cultures; a city of springtime picnics and noisy morning markets packed with young children clamouring for sticky sesame sweets.
-
Rana’s recipes are testament to her heritage, travelling with her from Iraq to Australia to bring you a menu brimming with both flavour and stories! There’s her Ras Asfoor, lightly spiced meatballs cooked with onion, peas and potatoes, infused with fragrant spices and tangy dried lemon, left to slowly simmer in a rich tomato sauce. Then there’s her dolma, the crown jewel of Iraqi cuisine, a collection of vine leaves, zucchini, eggplant, tomato and onions each lovingly stuffed with her family’s spiced rice mixture. Rana’s borek is a welcomed addition, fried pastries filled with sautéed meats, served with a refreshingly zesty yoghurt sauce. And what feast would be complete without something sweet, like Rana’s Sim simiya, toasted sesame bars, swirled with tahini, honey and a hint of cardamom. To eat with Rana, to cook alongside her, is a transportative experience. One that she hopes will fill our bellies with more than just food – but with stories of another home, of a busy, joyous Baghdad.
-
Chai Mahal (Vegan, GF, NF, No O/G)
Babaganoush w/ fried pita bread ( Babaganoush: Vegetarian, GF, NF/Pita Vegan, No O/G, NF)
Ras Asfoor Meatball stew with potato (GF, NF)
Rice with Sha'ria (Vegan, NF, No O/G)
Dolma (Vegan, GF, NF)
Borek (NF, DF) Dipping Sauce (Vegetarian, NF)
Zlata (salad) (Vegan, GF, NF)
Sim simiya (dessert) (Vegetarian, DF, NF, contains sesame)
