Monthly Archives: April 2012

Postcard from Lebanon

Posted on April 30, 2012 by Maureen Abood
Pool of water at Mir Amin POST

We have been in Lebanon for one day, and if I had to leave now, the trip would have been worth it. Some scenes from today: a friend of a friend who is now a friend…takes her Sunday and spends … Continue reading →

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Postcard from Up North

Posted on April 27, 2012 by Maureen Abood
Lighthouse in Charlevoix POST

Consult not your fears, but your hopes and dreams. ~ Pope John Paul XXIII (Lighthouse in spring, Lake Charlevoix. It’s the kind of light that both sends us on our way and welcomes us home. I’ll be watching for just … Continue reading →

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Have homemade granola bars, will travel. To Lebanon.

Posted on April 26, 2012 by Maureen Abood
Granola bar 2 POST

The year was 1989, and I was a junior in college. My school offered all kinds of study abroad programs, including one for the summer. First my roommate Betsy said she was going. Then Julie. Then Kari. I wanted to … Continue reading →

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Ingredient: Wheat germ

Posted on April 24, 2012 by Maureen Abood
Wheat germ on parchment POST

I know what you’re thinking: really, wheat germ? What could she possibly be making that we’ll want to eat that includes wheat germ? She must have confused 2012 with 1972. Why not strawberries or some other gorgeous spring crop? Farmer’s … Continue reading →

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Favorite Things: Parchment paper

Posted on April 23, 2012 by Maureen Abood
Parchment in a roll with box POST

Maybe my penchant for paper has to do with my love of books. Or it might reach back to some infant stage when, presented with anything paper, one has the urge to chew on it. I did have a calligraphy … Continue reading →

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Postcard from Up North

Posted on April 20, 2012 by Maureen Abood
Cherry blossoms, Traverse City POST

Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson (Cherry blossoms, Grand Traverse County. An orchard is a place of great irony: symmetry and order, yet wild, delirious beauty and fragrance.)

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Fattoush salad, and poetry, in motion

Posted on April 19, 2012 by Maureen Abood
Fattoush big bowl on table POST

It wasn’t long after I started working, after graduate school studying poetry and literature, that I started to feel the gnaw. Working was great, a paycheck was even greater. But I wasn’t writing much—just a couple of correspondences that took … Continue reading →

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Technique: How to make a simple vinaigrette

Posted on April 18, 2012 by Maureen Abood
Vinaigrette pre whisked POST

There is perhaps no more classic technique in a Lebanese kitchen than dressing the salata with a squeeze of the lemon and pour of the oil directly on the salad. Try as we might, none of my siblings or I … Continue reading →

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Ingredient: Sumac

Posted on April 17, 2012 by Maureen Abood
Sumac in blue thimble POST

The trifecta of Lebanese spices in my pantry includes za’atar, cinnamon, and sumac. Some versions of za’atar get citrus notes from sumac mixed with roasted thyme and sesame seeds. Sumac powder is made from pulverized dried sumac berries, and the … Continue reading →

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Favorite Things: A little whisk

Posted on April 16, 2012 by Maureen Abood
Mini whisk POST

It’s true, you can use a jar. You can use a fork. Or you can skip emulsification of a vinaigrette altogether and just pour it all directly on the salad, the way my mama does. But I love the swift … Continue reading →

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Postcard from Up North

Posted on April 13, 2012 by Maureen Abood
Awning in rainPOST

April is the cruelest month, breeding lilacs out of the dead land, mixing memory and desire, stirring dull roots with spring rains. ~T.S. Eliot (Spring rain drops from the green awning at home on Main Street, mixing memory and desire … Continue reading →

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Lebanese Fig Jam with Anise, a full jar

Posted on April 12, 2012 by Maureen Abood
Fig jam jar Badawi table POST

Ever since my cousins and I had what can only be described as an extremely fun baking disaster day a couple of years ago, I’ve been on the hunt to learn Lebanese flatbread from a pro, the way my Sitto … Continue reading →

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Ingredient: Anise

Posted on April 11, 2012 by Maureen Abood
Anise seeds 2 POST

There is no flavor that reminds me more of my mother than anise. She is the only person I know whose favorite candy is soft black licorice. Anything that even hints of anise makes her close her eyes and breathe … Continue reading →

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Favorite Things: Glass Jars

Posted on April 10, 2012 by Maureen Abood
Jars in the pantry POST

It pains me to get rid of the glass jars that enter my kitchen. So I end up with rather large collections of them in the pantry, and try my best to reduce by giving away whatever I can think … Continue reading →

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Postcard from Down South

Posted on April 6, 2012 by Maureen Abood
Naples sunset glory of God with boat POST

Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things. ~ Philippians 4:8 (The heavens are telling the glory of God, and … Continue reading →

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