Blogger
Hi! Kifak? Ça va?
Grew up in Beirut in the sixties and seventies. Had a Teta (grand-mother) at home who was in charge of the cooking. Family was francophone. Dad had grown up in Egypt, to a Lebanese father and an Italian-Croatian mother. Mom was from Beirut and Sidon. Started this blog because after 30 years of living in the US, my passion for my country of origin is unabated. Love its nature, its people, its cuisine. Proud of the Lebanese people, their achievements and their courage. Interested in their complex and rich history.
Studied pastry arts in Dallas; fascinated with cooking and baking as a creative outlet.
I want to dig into traditional Lebanese cuisine, especially rural recipes that are being rediscovered. Show how healthy and delicious and varied it is.
I also want to dedicate my blog to my téta, Sitt Nabiha Aftimos Zabbat.
I currently divide my time between Dallas, Texas and Beirut, Lebanon.
I can be reached either through Facebook, Twitter or at joumana_accad@yahoo.com
Joumana
70 Comments
WOW. Finally someone who publicly opened a window for a nontraditional approach to Lebanese cuisine. I’m a culinary student at the CIA born to a Lebanese catholic mother from Beirut and a French jewish father born in Haifa Israel. Needless to mention my passion for Mediterranean cuisine I see a future in your blog and or vision and I have a dyer in interest in your use of ingredients. If you’d like to bounce of some ideas please send me an email.
Alex
Hi there,
I’ve been searching for a traditional Halwa recipe like the one my grandmother made but can’t find one that lives up to it. Would you happen to have any hiding in your apron pocket?
@Cayla: Sorry I don’t think so! Can you give me more specifics?
Can you please put some more chicken dish recipes? Like chicken kabob shawarma etc zaatar mannaesh? homemade
I’m not Lebanese (Irish-American) but I do work in the Middle East and elsewhere and I also love to cook (and eat good food) so Lebanon is heaven in that regard. In fact, I am in Beirut right now waiting for an Iftar invitation
. Growing up in Pittsburgh, I was exposed to Lebanese restaurants and enjoyed the standards but if you actually work in (or visit) Lebanon and explore the regions, there is an outstanding variation in dishes for a country that is slightly smaller than the State of Connecticut. (But that is misleading since so much of the area of the country is practically vertical (Mount Lebanon, Anti-Lebanon and the hills of the Akar amongst others). The rugged geography of Lebanon also created isolated communities hundreds of years ago that developed distinctly different “locavore” cuisines and this means one really must journey to all the small towns and villages to really get a sense of the variety of Lebanese cuisine (not to mention all the pickled veggies) and other local delicacies.
@Jim: Nice to meet you Jim and to know you are enjoying the diversity and rural gastronomy of Lebanon; will be there myself soon!
I just found your blog while looking for a kafta recipe since I realized that my Lebanese father’s has left out all of the seasonings! Since he’s not here anymore to call and get the list, I’m happy to have found your blog. I was planning on making his tabouli to go with our kafta, but your recipe for shankleesh salad looks wonderful and requires much less chopping
I’m glad to have found your blog and can’t wait to try some of the dishes that I didn’t grow up with as well as those I did.
Dear Jumana,
My name is Annie Keropian and I’m from Shahiya.com. I actually came across your blog trying to find a sneyniyeh recipes for my son’s teething party. Arlette from Phoenician Gourmet also recommended your site to us. I wanted to touch base with you and see if there’s any way you can review our new iPhone/iPod application called Cook Lebanese 101 recipes. One of the best features of the app. is its Vegetarian filter for each category. I can send you a promo code at your request and in the meantime you can take a look at the free version to get an idea. Your insight is very valuable to us. If you can take a few minutes and give us your opinion, we’d really appreciate it. Thank you!
Sincerely,
Annie Keropian
annie@shahiya.com
+961-3-685-479
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Z_t61HlEmU
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/cook-lebanese-101-recipes/id443934198?mt=8&ls=1#
http://shahiya.com/english/app_iphone.aspx
You have received a Lovely Blog Award. The reason is you make me laugh, inspire me and do such an amazing job with your blog that I could only wish that one day I can be as good as you and thank you for introducing me to Lebanese Food that I love very much.
http://wp.me/pT9Ez-Bd
I added your beautiful site here http://www.discoverlebanon.com/en/directory/index_v.Dining_3_p_2.html
Plz feel free to add back my site.. plz
Can you tell me where I can find Purslane here in Dallas?
@Elizabeth: You will find purslane (off and on) at the following stores: Fiesta (it is called verdolaga) and any latino market; Sara bakery on Sherman in Richardson carries it.
Hey Foodie,
Love your blog! We were wondering if we can feature it on our Knapkins.com website. This summer, we launched Knapkins to showcase the most delicious dishes created by a community of passionate foodies and food bloggers. We would love to have you be part of it! Come by and play a game of ‘food duel’, or take a look at our top dishes of the week and get inspired with new recipe ideas.
Once you submit your foodblog, we will automatically add photos from your new blog entries and notify you when its ready. To submit your foodblog, visit http://www.knapkins.com/signup/blogger
Have a scrumptious day,
Christine & The Knapkins Team
Hi joumana… I really like what you are doing!! I am a food/cooking lover..
I am Lebanese .. and still live in Lebanon!! Been all around!! and found Lebanon the place to be in all sense!!
I wish you all the best… anything you want from Lebanon, just let me know!!
Will be following your blog!
@Ghada: Thank you so much, you are a sweetheart! I am going to Lebanon in a few weeks, my daughter is planning to attend the AUB. Thanks so much for your support and appreciation. Joumana
Dear Joumana,
We are trying to contact you for press coverage. Please email us at jade@artandthensome.com.
Regards,
Jade
Do you take recipe requests? There are a few staple meals my Lebanese mother in law makes all the time that are so delicious. I wish we could tell you about them and see your version!
@Carolyn: I would love to!
Hello,
My name is Magi and i’m from Israel.
I searched on the web Lebanese food and I got to your blog. I’m very impressed with your love to your homeland, your photographs and your lovely writing.
I hope you don’t mind that I’m “walking” at your wonderful blog, including writing to you, although I am from Israel, I think that food bridge all the differences. Through the Internet I know people from around the world dealing with food and it’s wonderful.
I have to a blog about food, my blog deals mainly with Italian food.
Magi
@Magi: My blog is about food and culture and I try to keep politics out of it entirely. I am happy that you like it as I have a number of readers from your country. All the best. Joumana