Sabeel Center

06/03/2020

Chef Musa Dağdeviren of 's fame is the most famous chef in the west from the Muslim world.

His visit to Chicago last August (2019) - on my birthday, no less - was a memorable one.

His latest book discusses traditional Turkish recipes. His talk, although through an English translator, didn't hide his passion for foods from coastal regions such as Fethiye, and how much it pains him to see these culinary traditions being westernized. Even the names are often Anglicized as if to gain greater acceptance in the society.

This was not a Sabeel Center event, but we discussed having a presentation by him at the Center's Halal Kitchen using recipes from his book.

The Consulate Generals of both Turkey and Pakistan are excited about such an event. Let's see when that transpires now.

06/03/2020

About the Chef:

Sema Bayrakdar cooked, baked, and catered Turkish cuisine for 10 years as a persona chef.Now she does baking only and takes order on instagram () only.

06/03/2020

The fifth class in the series ws Baking Halal European Cookies by Dobra Bielinski of Delightful Pastries in Chicago's Albany Park.

Delightful Pastries chef Dobra Bielinski and her mother Stasia Hawryszczuk believe that the taste of each and every Delightful Pastry should tantalize your senses. All of their sweet treats are made with very little sugar, all natural butter and only the freshest local ingredients.

http://www.delightfulpastries.com

06/02/2020

Persian cuisines have been at the center of the Islamic world for centuries. It adopted features from the its Mediterranean and Arab counterparts, and the at the same time , influenced those to its east.

About the Chef:
Marjan’s Kitchen is a social enterprise in the food industry that strives to be a presenter and ambassador of the culinary traditions and innovations of Iran, focused on the province of Guilan. Our aim is to attain the highest standards of corporate citizenship, innovation and financial sustainability, while reintroducing the world to the rich culinary legacy of an often overlooked region of the world with an emphasis on the ancient Persian health and culinary wisdom such as those taught by Avicenna .

https://www.marjanskitchen.com/
https://www.facebook.com/pg/marjankitchen/photos/?ref=page_internal

06/02/2020

About the Chef:

Imani's Original is a family-run corporation since 2005. They provide Original Bean Pies, Vegan Bean Pies, Original w/ our Homemade Cream Cheese Frosting & our new Groovy Granola.

While working on a home school project with her daughter to aid in her understanding of the health benefits of the navy bean, Imani's Original Bean Pies was born. When the pies were sold in a successful fundraiser for the home school known as Your Child Care, NFP, it proved to be a business that could benefit communities.

https://www.imanisoriginals.com/about

06/01/2020

Halal Cooking Classes Series - Indonesian Cuisine by Chef Titik Suprati - August 19, 2019.

After years of planning and preparations, the Halal Kitchen @ Sabeel Center offered our first series of Halal cooking classes in summer 2019. All 5 of our classes in 219 were sold out !

Chef Titik conducted our first class where she taught us how to make Indonesian chicken and shrimp fried rice with cucumber and carrot pickles. She also gave an introduction to Indonesian cuisines.

03/23/2020

On March 13, 2020, Chef Fepi Paramarti of Padi House and Grill, Inc. offered an Indonesian street food called Soto Ayam (Chicken noodle soup).

Chef Fepi educated us on its history:

Soto ayam in Yogyakarta is an aromatic breakfast soup found right across Indonesia’s archipelago. Fondly called the country’s ‘chicken noodle soup for the soul’ and sold from charming food carts, Yogyakarta’s soto ayam has a light broth that’s clear and fragrant.

"Soto" was undoubtedly developed in the Indonesian archipelago and each region has developed its own distinctive soto recipes.
The mixture ingredients are influenced during colonial of VOC (Netherlands) and other immigrants communities.
The use of rice vermicelli, for example, is influenced by Chinese as well as using fried garlic as a condiment, while the use of turmeric suggests Indian influence. Another example is "Soto Betawi" from Jakarta uses ghee (or minyak samin) which indicates Arab or Muslim Indian influences.

As a result, myriad of soto recipes and variations can be found in Indonesia based on available ingredients and distinctive local taste.

Photo Credits:
Nawal Saleh, Nawal Nasser, Humaira Kamal, and yours truly.

11/15/2019

Now you can follow us on Twitter:

“Introducing America-to-Zanzibar (A-Z) Exhibit of Muslim Cultures at Sabeel Center https://t.co/tbEdeTqy19”