A tribute to a fantastic cook!

My best friend and soul sister Douha,  whom I have shared the ups and downs of life for the past 30 years lost her beautiful Mum last week.  As we do, I began thinking about what this lovely lady has meant to me.  Funnily enough, I  associate her with my VERY slow introduction to the most delicious food I have ever tasted, Lebanese!

I first met Mrs Hajar when I rode to her house to play with my newly made friend. I was a 12 year old tom boy who had just started at a new school and came from a typically Aussie home.  My new friend was a traditional Lebanese girl who was brought up to follow the culture of their homeland. 

All these years later, I clearly remember the first time I entered their home, all I could think of  and I am sure I said it ( as I do!) "WHATS THAT STINK?"  It was so strong and yuk!  It was garlic and lemon, the smells of dinner cooking and nothing like the meat and 3 veg I grew up eating for dinner.

I went into the kitchen and Mrs Hajar was speed chopping something, probably parsley.  She could chop so fast and the parsley was so fine.  There was food everywhere, a feast was in the making.  I can't remember what I tried, but I didn't like it.  Mrs Hajar was a renowned cook in her own Lebanese restaurant in town - Quiet Waters. 

During that year my family moved in at the end of the street and I began to visit my friend daily.  I was becoming accustomed to the TANTALISING smells that came from within.  Somewhere I had gone from Yuk to YUUUUUM, whats your Mum cooking today?  I am sure this was the start of my love of the different cultural flavours on offer in our country.

 I started enjoying the tabbouleh and hummus on pita bread before moving to felafel, kibbeh and the more exotic stuffed vine leaves.  I remember watching the vines leaves being made for a son's wedding, the bowl was MASSIVE and full of the tiny delectable treats, and I remember them being gone in the blink of an eye.  All that time to wrap the little parcels and then POOF! HEY PRESTO! DISSAPEARO!    Of course there was much more to try like hatalia for dessert and  yogurt and apricot juice to drink and the list goes on.



I once  had a lesson making their special spinach pies..which I later tried to make, but I am in need of another lesson.  Thank goodness my friend has learned much of her Mother's cooking and when there is time, has agreed to show me how to make them again.

For your interest I have added a link from The Cook and The Chef which featured Mrs Hajar and her son Jamal talking about Kibbeh, one of my fav's.  I hope to get her recipe up on here in the furture.

https://www.facebook.com/v/116910988769

Getting ready for Christmas Post will have Mrs Hajar's recipe for Shortbread which is much nicer than the common short bread and so very easy to make.

Well, I guess I could prattle on forever... RIP Mrs Hajar, you shall be missed.  You left so much behind in your family, and even further afield in me.

Allah yerhama.