Whisking Through Stronger Connections, Meaningful Moments, and Self-Discovery

      

Whisking Through Stronger Connections, Meaningful Moments, and Self-Discovery 

Salma Hreish

Growing up, I have spent more time than any girl my age in the kitchen, baking and cooking classical and newly discovered recipes. Until this day, the kitchen is my safe space. It is where you’ll find me when I need to take a break from a stressful situation, such as preparing for an important exam, and where I spend most of my quality time, such as winter, spring and summer breaks.

Cooking is not merely the process of making food, as its significance definitely extends way beyond the act of satisfying hunger. It is a therapeutic process that never fails to take my mind away from anything distressing in my life. I enjoy putting my headphones on, blocking all the noise around me, and pouring ingredients into a bowl without having any clue about how it is going to turn out. Somehow, this is one of the most curative things you could do.

Cooking and baking are meditative hobbies that have been passed down by many generations of women in my family. They hold a special place in my heart, as do all of the chefs in my family. From the time I was a baby, I was always the taste-tester for my mother’s experiment-foods. And that is where my love for baking began. My habit of stepping into the kitchen and baking something that I have never tried before comes from her. Of course, it does not always work out, and you are left with a huge mess and no new dessert to eat, but it is all a part of the learning process. 

The most exciting part about baking, however, is not just the process of gathering ingredients and mixing them all together, but it is also sharing the final product with your friends and family. Being able to explain the food I made, such as the ingredients and the process, makes me feel like I could be the next contestant on Masterchef. 

Some of the recipes I make on a regular basis are Middle Eastern staples that actually reflect my identity; sharing those recipes with people within my community is my way of introducing myself and representing my family’s heritage. One example that comes to mind is the annual ‘shuaybeyat’ my mom and I make every year on the first day of the fasting month, Ramadan, and distribute it among neighbors and friends. On the first day of the holy month, my mom and I start prepping our phyllo dough, brushing every single sheet with a mixture of butter and ghee; we pile 10-15 sheets on top of one another then cut them into long strips, then cut the strips into squares, and fold those into triangles. The triangles are then stuffed with a milk-based filling infused with orange blossom syrup and topped with crushed pistachios. Yes, it is a time-consuming process! But it is worth every warm smile we receive when we knock on our neighbors’ and friends’ doors to announce the beginning of the special month.  

 

While baking is a fun hobby, it also helped me on the emotional level. In times where words weren't enough, I was able to express myself with baking. It has helped me to navigate different stages of my life as a way to cope and communicate. It is a means of cultural exchange and knowledge sharing. I regularly invite friends with different cultural backgrounds to join in my kitchen so we could make something together. I learned about Korean, Japanese, and Indian spices, cooking techniques, and main dishes, and my friends have left my home knowing the Arabic word for thyme and olive oil. 

Overall, baking is more than just a hobby. To me, it is a way of expression, gratitude, and connecting with my roots. It is the perfect way to create new relationships, rekindle old friendships, or strengthen existing bonds. Through baking, I learned the importance of patience and creativity while also doing what I love most. Whether it's by experimenting with new foods, or perfecting traditional desserts, baking will always be my way of uniting my community, one dish at a time.