Last weekend I interviewed my dear friend and poet, Shadab Zeest Hashmi, at her home in Southern California. We first met at an event in Chicago’s Sabeel Center designed to bring together both the poetry and food of Al-Andalus and the Ottoman Empire. Shadab read poetry from her book, Baker of Tarifa, and I helped to create the guest menu that included marzipan-stuffed dates (a nod to the convivencia where Christians, Jews and Muslims lived together peacefully), and I spoke about my experiences visiting the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul and my travels throughout the Black Sea region in Turkey.
Shadab has published four books (see all below the video, with descriptions and how to purchase). In this interview we take a deeper look at her most recent book,COMB, which includes the poetry of her other books and is a soulful look at childhood memories of life amidst her second-hand view of war at home in Pakistan, the aromatic culinary memories of Ramadan, the love of her family, and moving abroad and experiencing painful Islamophobic sentiments as a university student, as well as the fear and isolation of being a Muslim mother to small kids post 9/11. Her work is a cultural and natural treasure in that it bridges the gap of understanding for those on either side and elicits the emotion and compassion necessary for true empathy that the world so desperately needs right now.
Baker of Tarifa Poetry. Middle Eastern Studies. Asian American Studies. “Al Andalus—a unique cultural convergence in human time where myth hovers the way moths are drawn to lampshine, and in her luminous, spare language, Shadab Zeest Hashmi catches its essence: attar of memory, the perfume of peace, sweet rising dough of dailiness; at the end, smoke rising, the reek of war, useless keys, exile, sorrow distilled and deepened by the presence—in these deeply felt, lovely poems—of what feels newly lost.”—Eleanor Wilner
Kohl and Chalk Poetry. Middle Eastern Studies. Asian American Studies. Winner of the 2014 San Diego Book Award for Best Published Poetry. The bride who contemplates her half paralyzed face on the eve of marriage (in the opening poem, “Facial Palsy”) is emblematic of the larger story of Pakistan: an ancient culture fractured by new and divergent identities. The poet, like the bride whose face is divided into “lit” and “dim” halves, gazes into the mirrors of history and politics to make sense of the disjunctive parts that refuse to come together as a whole. The very multiplicities of culture that the poet celebrates (“Socrates / mangoes cut in cubes,” “Iqbal’s poems on marble construction paper,” “rouge from Paris, coconut oil from Orissa”) are also the cause of dissonance (“War cries of the Greeks / in plume red / Mongols / in horse-leather red,” “Gunga Din’s ghost lifted from the tennis courts / of Peshawar Club”)—dissonance that is further amplified in the post-9/11 wars to which a Pakistani-American response in poetry has thus far been absent. KOHL AND CHALK is that response in the voice of a daughter, a mother, a global citizen.
COMB is the story of a girl “under the spell of history,” growing up in the shadow of the legendary Khyber Pass which is both a bridge between disparate civilizations and an impassable divide. Shadab Zeest Hashmi reveals the tangles of empire and language, history and myth, exile and belonging — from the lens of childhood, integrating memory with the history of one of the most significant geopolitical and cultural thresholds of the world. This is a book that honors thresholds in a time of closed doors, written with a poet’s conviction in the regency of love.
Shadab Zeest Hashmi, a Pakistani-American poet and essayist, the winner of the San Diego Book Award and the Nazim Hikmet Prize and has been nominated for the Pushcart multiple times. Her books include Ghazal Cosmopolitan, Kohl and Chalk and Baker of Tarifa, and COMB. To read more about Shadab and her work, you can visit her website: www.shadabhashmi.com and www.womensvoicesforchange.org
It’s this time of year when I appreciate home and hearth the most. While I may not have a fireplace (although I’d absolutely love one), its the cold, wintry air and beautiful white snow cover that makes me do a whole lot of nesting indoors to create that inviting, fireside feel that I want my friends and family to enjoy when they visit.
The Scandinavians have this concept of hygge that has gained popularity globally because it’s a celebration of the more positive side of cold and blustery weather that forces us to stay indoors; instead they embrace the chance and the opportunity to buckle down, nestle in and create an inviting and warm space with candles, good food, games and the creation of happy moments with their closest friends and family. I personally love it and have been finding myself utilize this concept for the past several years. By living in the Chicagoland area, we are no strangers to the wind, cold and Chiberia-like weather that can be seen as depressing and uninspiring, but if we look at the positive side of this time of year there is so much to be grateful for and actually anticipate as the season goes from Fall to Winter quite abruptly here.
So what can be done to embrace the weather, the season and all the good things that come along with it? Here’s my list of top 5 things to do to get on with the business of living well during the cold winter months, particularly December and the holiday season that surrounds us.
Plan to eat indoors– a lot. Why not use this time to not only sharpen your cooking skills, but also to bond with the people you really want to spend more time with? Make a classic roasted chicken, or boneless skinless chicken breast in some sort of creamy sauce- both of which represent the very essence of communicating love and affection across the table. You feed those you love with the aroma, the warmth and the delicious flavor infused into something you put your heart and soul into- that speaks volumes without saying a word. Of course, we all want baked goods, too, don’t we? Can’t forget the lovely aroma those add to the house, as well…
Get out in nature. Yes, it’s cold. Sometimes it’s snowing so much you can’t necessarily drive anywhere, but you can get out and walk along the paths of nature preserves and forests, or get out into your own backyard and explore what’s there. Get the kids and yourself all bundled up and see what you can find. For example, pine trees aren’t all the same- do your kids know how to identify the difference between the different conifers? There are so many, sometimes even in just one yard or space. I have several different ones, some of which produce juniper berries and others tucked away into the landscape I never noticed them until I went outside and focused my attention on what I could use to make a pretty wreath or decoration for my front door.It’s that attention to detail that makes all the difference.
Make crafts using the natural elements you’ve found outdoors. As I said, I walked my yard to find elements I could use to decorate my home. Not only are there different kinds of greens from pine trees in which you can make beautiful wreaths for doors and mirrors like this boxwood wreath……or this pine wreath…but the pinecones also become a beautiful centerpiece in any dining room just by placing them in a bowl or tall clear container as-is. You can also begin to force branches and bulbs so they will blossom nicely around mid to late January, like these amaryllis plants- one variegated…and the other all red.Or these paperwhites……both of which can be found at most hardware stores and nurseries. I love to see them start off indoors in dirt and moss and become the beautiful natural eye candy right on my windowsill. Nature is the most beautiful artwork and we need only to seek it out and bring it inside.
Go through your pantry and discover everything you’ve not been using- and put them to good use now. The reason foods were preserved were for times like these. Jams, jellies, pickled vegetables, even preserved meats and fish- were meant to be savored at this very time of year when things cannot be grown outdoors. This is how much of the world survived and even thrived during the unforgiving cold because many of our ancestors knew how to extend the life of their locally grown food products, naturally. If you don’t have any of these kinds of things, all you have to do is visit a local farmers market and see who has been doing just that. Chances are you’ll find someone who thought ahead enough to offer these specialty items and give you an idea of what you can plan ahead for next year, so that you can enjoy your own kind of hygge even more…
Create an ambiance of comfort, warmth and invitation in your home. Environment is everything, isn’t it? No matter the weather or scenery outside, you can make the inside your own palace and lap of luxury on your terms. For me, that means a lot of indoor lights, including candles perched onto wrought-iron candle holders and candelabras, giving my rooms a dramatic but warm feel that seems to embrace everyone who walks in. They also transfer to my table with dinner guests to create an extra special feel of closeness and togetherness you usually can’t get in a restaurant. While I curl up on the couch with my real wool blankets made in New Hampshire found at an antique shop in Vermont, I hold tightly a mug of homemade sipping chocolate or winter herbal teas always warms me up just right. …and the love one feels surrounded by just doing these small things. Doesn’t that all sound so inviting? Let me know in the comments section below…
Summertime is finally here. I can tell it’s here to stay by the constant heat and humidity, although other climates might be a bit more appealing at the moment. It’s still a great time to take advantage of the sunshine, cool evening breezes and some really wonderful, fresh and seasonal foods.
Ramadan is starting in just a couple days and it’s a time of great joy and happiness for Muslims around the globe. Although the food is not the main highlight of each day, it sure is something we savor and feel grateful for when the time does come to enjoy a nutritious and healthy meal with our families and friends.
I love to do that ‘affresco‘, or outside, if possible.
I know during Ramadan, after breaking the fast, then praying and sitting down to eat the main meal it’s already dark. If you have a space (i.e. a deck) that can be easily lit and also keep away the bugs (try a fan overhead or off to the side), it can be such a great way to connect with your loved ones over the Iftar.
Here are my tips for pulling it all together:
1.Find the Right Spot. We don’t have a deck or large enough spot outside for putting a table and chairs, but we do have some scenic spots around our yard that give us great views of nature. That’s where I like to be, even if only dim lights surrounding us give us a beautiful nearsighted view.
2. Get great lights. Most people decorate with indoor lights during Ramadan; some also decorate the exterior of the house. Outdoor string lights where you dine affresco can make it all that much more charming- plus, you’ll be able to see your food!
These overhead string lights hang from tree to tree.
This lantern hangs nearby. It was a fun vintage find at my local antique shop that I painted black for dramatic effect, and is perfect and beautiful for setting the atmosphere during Ramadan nights.
Add some extra lights on the table, too. I found these yellow ones at Menards on the clearance rack last year.
3.Simplify the decor. No need to be fancy; in fact, being outdoors should be fun and easy. That doesn’t mean it can’t be pretty or even elegant and beautiful, but it doesn’t have to be overdone, either. Just choose only what you like love to surround yourself with when dining, even if it means bringing out your best serving ware.
4.Put some non-breakables on the table. Accidents do happen, especially outside. When something breaks on concrete or pavers, it’s a bit more dramatic- and dangerous since it’s harder to clean up so try adding something like reusable plastic serving glasses.
I got these colorful ones from Target, also on the clearance rack last Fall.
Even the lemons here are decorative, but the real ones won’t damage much by a tumble. They do add a pop of color, though.
5.Stand Back and Take it All In. From afar, you can really see what you’ve put together, which is also how your guests will get their first glance of they dining table. From there, you can edit.
As the sun goes down, it all looks even prettier…
Really, it does.
Do you think you’ll have any outdoor dinners or Iftar gatherings this summer?
Most of the world now knows how incredibly and inhumanely cold it is here in Chicagoland and by the time this post is published, there have been countless articles and photos posted around the web about our insanely freezing temperatures. At the time of writing, we are way beyond negative temperatures but the real feel is even more so. I opened the front door and stepped out for just a few minutes and felt my thick jeans get stiff with the frozen air. Within just a few seconds of exposure.
Thankfully, we are fortunate to have shelter, heat and a solid internet connection which I am sure must be more than those who have lost power or have insufficient shelter from the elements. My heart goes out to the homeless and those in housing transition and may God bless those who have created safe havens with adequate resources for such dire circumstances.
At home, it’s just the sort of thing we hope for in order to get some things done around the house- everything is cancelled, nothing is imminent so going outside for anything is relegated to emergencies only. And the stock-up shopping for food is like a dream come true, except when I remember why we’re doing it in the first place. How easily we forget the brutality of extreme weather from the comforts of indoor living…
In between cooking, cleaning, working, and forever organizing the house, here’s what I’ve been watching at home to stay inspired and reminded of the things I love most- cooking and writing and cooking some more. I thought you might like to take a peek and perhaps watch them, too, if you haven’t ever before and are looking for some inspiration in the kitchen and in life in general (though you may find that the first two are not quite suitable for children during certain parts).
1. Julie & Julia
Anyone who is interested in the roots of American cooking shows and/or fascinated by the life of Julia Child and her fascinated with French food and cooking, will love to see this re-enactment of some of major parts of her life, alongside blogger Julie Powell who started a blog about cooking her way through Mastering the Art of French Cooking. I have fond memories of this movie because around the time I began the My Halal Kitchen site, there was quite a real revival of Julia’s book as well as a lot of buzz about Julie’s blog.
2. Under the Tuscan Sun
Frances Mayes is an American writer I’ve been following since college. I was gifted her book, Bella Tuscany, in order to encourage my desire to live abroad in a foodie-loving country like Italy or France. I actually even met Frances in 2000 during a book signing when she appeared in San Francisco to talk about her book’s success- it was one of the most exciting moments of my life because I was able to listen to a full hour of how she made her dream of international living a possibility, all while combing her love of writing, and living an extraordinary life so very possible. When the movie, Under the Tuscan Sun came out (based on her book by the same name), I couldn’t have been more excited to put the visual to something I could watch at any given moment I was in need of inspiration and motivation to keep my dreams alive.
3. Ratatouille
Yes, I am an adult and no, I don’t much enjoy cartoons. But when you combine great animation with a wonderful story about life in Parisian restaurant kitchens with the copper pots and vintage French ovens, you can quite forget there are animated mice as the main characters of the story. All I can focus on is the food and the mention of French cooking, the scenes of the French countryside as well as the city. You’ve just got to see it to appreciate it. And for all it’s worth, watching Julie & Julia inspired and reminded me to watch this one again…
There are many more things I am watching, reading and doing to stay occupied and warm during this polar vortex, they call it, but I’ll leave it up to you now- how are you spending the time indoors that is creative, fun, relaxing and/or productive to your life?
By the way, if you haven’t heard of “Chiberia”, here is the current meaning in the context of our current weather-related phenomenon.
Like much of the country recently, I’ve been glued to the television to find out every detail possible about Hurricane Sandy’s devastating effects on the East Coast and how everyone has been faring throughout. I’ve been reaching out to family, friends and colleagues in order to keep abreast of the situation we might not be seeing in the media. So far, so good, alhamdullilah (thank God) in that they are all safe and sound, albeit a bit shaken up by such events. I know so many other people have not had such an outcome and my heart goes out to them.
One thing that is a bit disheartening is the lack of coverage in so many other places such as Pennsylvania, Delaware, Connecticut and my home state of Ohio where there are still people without power and heat and many areas are completely devastated and suffered loss of life. Let’s not forget them, either. (more…)
You feed those you love with the aroma, the warmth and the delicious flavor infused into something you put your heart and soul into- that speaks volumes without saying a word. Of course, we all want baked goods, too, don’t we? 
Can’t forget the lovely aroma those add to the house, as well…
Get the kids and yourself all bundled up and see what you can find. For example, pine trees aren’t all the same- 
There are so many, sometimes even in just one yard or space. I have several different ones, some of which produce juniper berries and others tucked away into the landscape I never noticed them until I went outside and focused my attention on what I could use to make a pretty wreath or decoration for my front door.
It’s that attention to detail that makes all the difference. 
…or this pine wreath…
but the pinecones also become a beautiful centerpiece in any dining room just by placing them in a bowl or tall clear container as-is. You can also begin to force branches and bulbs so they will blossom nicely around mid to late January, like these amaryllis plants- one variegated…
and the other all red.
Or these paperwhites…
…both of which can be found at most hardware stores and nurseries. I love to see them start off indoors in dirt and moss and become the beautiful natural eye candy right on my windowsill. 
Nature is the most beautiful artwork and we need only to seek it out and bring it inside. 
This is how much of the world survived and even thrived during the unforgiving cold because many of our ancestors knew how to extend the life of their locally grown food products, naturally. If you don’t have any of these kinds of things, all you have to do is visit a local farmers market and see who has been doing just that. Chances are you’ll find someone who thought ahead enough to offer these specialty items and give you an idea of what you can plan ahead for next year, so that you can enjoy your own kind of hygge even more…
…and the love one feels surrounded by just doing these small things. 
Doesn’t that all sound so inviting? Let me know in the comments section below…
This lantern hangs nearby. It was a fun vintage find at 
