In a reflective moment, surrounded by saucepans, veg, meat and all that comes with cooking, I stopped and wondered – why am I writing my second Lebanese cookery book?
First
I am what you would call a foodie. I love to eat and love to cook. I love strong flavours such as garlic, lemon and herbs but you will not catch me eating or using chilli. So the Lebanese cuisine is my playground.
Second
Deep down in my heart, I want to invite people to rethink the quality and quantity of food we consume in our modern days.
I would love for everyone to prioritise food shopping in person and not online, to wash, squeeze, chop, mix, boil or roast their chosen ingredients knowing their body is getting ready to receive the goodness as they start handling the ingredients.
I would love for everyone to reduce the use of ready-made and fast food to a rare occasion every now and again.
It is my way to spread delicious healthy recipes easy to prepare to as many people as possible.
I believe in eating well. I believe good honest food is in our reach and not expensive as it is always claimed. I know because I have experienced difficult times where every penny counted. Even then, I managed to feed my family decent food.
I believe healthy food is not as complicated as it is promoted on TV programs and won’t be substituted by pills and powders.
I believe the most important characteristic of healthy food lays in three basic conditions: fresh and seasonal when possible, versatile and shared.
I believe rethinking and altering our current food culture will restore our general health and wellbeing as a nation.
Third
I wish to bring the richness of the Lebanese cuisine to everyone’s knowledge. Because I am confident it offers endless options of tasty dishes to suit the most demanding dietary requirements.
So my invitation to you now is to get into the habit of inviting people in your life to share with them as little or as much of what you have time and will to prepare so you can reap the endless benefits of eating with others.
Sahtein (wishing you health twice, as we say in Lebanon).