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ABEER NAJJAR

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The Vela Girl Mocktail

by Abeer Najjar
Posted on April 1, 2016February 11, 2018

As a self-proclaimed mixologist, I can’t help seeing ingredients and imagining how I can incorporate…

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Amongst all the spices and shatta, I also brought this Mint Lemonade recipe back with me from Palestine. I’ve enjoyed it with the elders of my family and made double and triple batches for my gang of nieces and nephews. I made it many nights in Ramadan, including a super special 30th birthday iftar. And yesterday, I got to make it for a dear friend that was visiting all the way from Hong Kong. Traveling to the motherland is a gift that keeps on giving. I miss it and can’t wait for the opportunity to be back, InshaAllah. Mint Lemonade recipe is on the blog AbeerNajjar.com [link in bio] 🍋🌿

By now we were at our peak point of exhaustion. We woke up early to enjoy a hot cup of coffee before Eid prayer and the work didn’t seem to stop after that. Everyone had their hands busy in either cleaning, cooking or entertaining the kids with Eid games and treats. My Eid OOTD was replaced with a comfortable house dress within minutes after returning from prayer. My makeup was almost gone from laughing til I cried joking with my family. And after more than my fair share of Italian Beef and ma’amoul, I felt like I couldn’t move. We posted up on the front porch to watch the kids destroy their Eid piñata while the sun slowly set. I grabbed my phone and snapped a selfie with Mom, realizing we hadn’t taken a photo together all day and that no concealer can mask Eid eye bags. Mom told me stories about her family’s Eid traditions when she was growing up in Palestine and we watched the new generation of our family making Eid their own. There’s been many Ramadans and Eids where I didn’t have much time for myself or my family for so many different reasons, so I cherish these moments. I’m grateful to recognize this blessing and pray I never take it for granted 💚 #eidmubarak

This meal has become Eid tradition. We didn’t decide it, it just kinda happened on its own. My sister-in-law’s late father, Paul, used to make this Italian Beef often when our families got together to share a meal. It’s an easier meal for a big crowd and anyone from Chicago knows we LOVE an Italian Beef sandwich. My SIL is a convert, but when it came to our families coming together after her and my brother’s marriage, it was all love and always has been since. That love poured over to the dinner table with her family always accommodating by cooking with halal meat when we joined them for a meal. That meant the pepperoni on the pizza casserole, the turkey during the holidays and the meat for Italian Beef was all good and we never had to worry otherwise. The fact that they go out of their way to do this for us is a compassionate gesture I’ll always appreciate and admire. We still share many meals together and after falling in love with Paul’s Italian Beef, it was natural it became in healthy rotation at the Najjar house. Now years later, it’s become our Eid tradition and a beautiful way we remember Paul on some of our happiest days of the year. Compassion comes in many forms-even in little ways like adjusting a family recipe so everyone can join in the meal. After our very Arab breakfast, we prepared this meal for dinner. We made BBQ baked beans, salad, mashed potatoes (because that’s a mandatory side with this meal) and of course a huge pot of Italian Beef, with lots of HOT giardiniera just like Paul would like. May we always remember our loved ones, those that have passed and those that are still with us in this world. Eid Mubarak to all! 💚

I used to get so overwhelmed with deciding what recipes to write about that I ended up not writing at all. I got in my head about what certain foods people wanted to see, what was trendy, what would get me likes, what looked “pretty.” It was debilitating to my work, which was supposed to be what brought me immense joy. I shied away from recipes like this one. Dishes that were so rooted in my Palestinian culture and ancestry of falaheen (farmers). It wasn’t that I was ashamed or didn’t love the food. But how could I convey that love to others? How can I get people who never cooked a fava bean in fermented yogurt to take a chance on it? And if they weren’t into it, had I failed? Recently, I’ve let go of that. I’ve tuned out those thoughts best I can. I’m trying to not overthink it and it feels weirdly freeing. It’s given me more mental space and energy to actually dedicate to my work. More attentiveness to observing every dish my mother makes, simple or complex, so I can soak up all her culinary knowledge. I’m listening more, taking more notes, and realizing I have so far to go. But rather than feeling overwhelmed with thinking about learning it all, I’m mad excited for all I have to learn and remembering to have fun along the way. Sharing recipes like this has started so many thoughtful conversations about ingredients, technique and similar recipes from other cultures. As a learn, and then share, I get to learn more through my exchanges with other people on this platform. It reminds me how much I appreciate all those that contribute to this community being a safe space to be learn and grow, and to be honest and humble during that process as well. Here are some shots from learning how to make Ful Wa Laban (Fava Beans with Yogurt) from my mom the other day. I know I can’t always share an exact recipe in the moment (writing them takes time), but I hope sharing these tips and loose recipes inspire others to cook and keep learning about food. #cookingwithmamahuda

IMAN Community Iftar has to be my favorite gathering in Ramadan. I can try to put in words how much Dr. Rami Nashashibi and the entire IMAN family means to us, but an Instagram caption wouldn’t do it justice. I confidently say IMAN has been a leader and example in community healing and social change. Their work is honest, from the heart and it shows. If you ever attended an event of their events, you can feel that. Thank you for always being a safe and positive space for me and my family for over half of my life. Thank you for being there in our trying times, to celebrate our special moments and to show us the definition of family. We might not be a walk away from the IMAN office anymore, but the roots run deep and it will always be home. 20 years of friendship and we finally got a photo! (Though most of Najjar clan is missing in this one.) Please consider donating to IMAN during the month of Ramadan or any time of year to help support their remarkable work. #63rd #onelinkonechain

Rose Cardamom Tres Leches is one of my most popular recipes. It’s been featured by NPR, I’ve made it for friends from New York to LA, and most recently it was the only thing one of my dearest friends asked for on her 30th birthday. I developed this recipe in my kitchen years ago when I was trying to figure out the dessert course for an upcoming @hudasupperclub. I remember throwing out the crazy idea to my family of blending these ingredients that were regulars in my pantry and spice cabinet with a cake I grew up loving thanks to my south-side Chicago upbringing. I wanted to do this cake justice and pay homage to its roots while being honest in my culinary expression. And at the end of the day, make it taste good! We often see a lot of mixing/adopting of other culture’s food solely for the sake of fusion. But many times this is at the cost of the dismissal of people, their history and stories, and we’re lucky if the food is mediocre at best. But I think when we approach food and culture humbly and respectfully, we learn so much more than what’s at the surface. And when parts of our food and culture organically collide and mix, something way more beautiful comes out of it all. My family was half into it, half apprehensive about the strong flavors, but encouraged me to test this recipe. After some adjustments, it was a hit at home, at supper club, and most importantly with my mom. I love getting pictures of people’s homemade Tres Leches. I especially loved one I got the other day from someone who was feeling down on her birthday, but decided to make this cake and expressed how much it lifted her mood! She said “food is so powerful” and I couldn’t agree more. Thank you for reminding me why I do what I do and to be forever grateful I get to share that with you all. Alhamdulilah. Recipe and video for Rose Cardamom Tres Leches is on the blog [link in bio] #itsiftarsomewhere

Last night I had the honor of hosting iftar (the meal to break fast) at my family’s home. This is the one photo I have from the night. As everyone made their way home, I realized most of us had forgotten to take photos...and I’m ok with that. It’s typically been the occasions where I enjoy myself the most that I forget to even grab my phone. The memories are all I have. I worried we wouldn’t have enough space. We squeezed together a few tables and gathered every chair we had in the house. We rearranged couches and carpets and got every pillow we can use to create some floor seating. It got so warm in the house despite the AC. I was constantly patting my concealer that I was sure was creasing from the heat and realized nothing makes highlight pop like some sweat. None of my serveware or pillows coordinated, my taco station setup wasn’t Instagram-worthy, and I didn’t have Ramadan-themed napkins or decor. Don’t get me wrong. I absolutely love that people can host iftars now that are Pinterest af and I tip my hat to those hosts that remember every detail down to the napkin rings. I just know that’s not me and that’s ok. It’ll always be crazy family dinner vibes at my house and I love that. Last night’s guests were friends from all the different worlds in my life. Friends I’ve had since college and friends I made within the last year. Friends I haven’t seen in years and friends that live down the street. Friends that are visiting from other continents and friends that drove from other states to make it in time for Iftar. Healers, educators, artists, and Instagram friends turned real-life friends. Friends that do and don't observe Ramadan. I got worried at times if everyone would have someone else they can talk or relate to. Some might think to host multiple iftars for each of these different crowds of friends, but when they’re all family to me it only makes sense to have everyone together. Everyone that attended made the space last night. Thank you all for bringing your comfort, light and smiles. My fingernails are still tinted from shawarma seasoning and my hands are tired from squeezing lemons for fresh mint lemonade, but my heart is full. This is #Ramadan 💚

[BLOG POST] Thirst Trap-Ramadan Edition By popular demand, I’m sharing my recipe for Mint Lemonade. If you followed my stories while I was in Palestine, you know I had this drink any chance I could get. Head over to the blog to read about who I learned this recipe from and how to make it yourself! [link in bio] #itsiftarsomewhere

We’re halfway through the month of Ramadan and here are a few things on my mind today that I’m grateful for: •The ability to make boundaries and to not feel guilty for making them. •People in my life that make space for me to talk about my wildest dreams and vent about my hardest struggles, all love and no judgment. •Successfully not licking my fingers while shooting food photos and fasting. #ramadanreflections #ramadan

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