Springtime in Algeria

Depending on the region, and though the celebration has no official status, spring is often celebrated in Algeria by sharing what's fresh and local, be it savory or sweet, with family and loved ones around a picnic. In the eastern and central part of the country, it is welcomed by making little dates and semolina galettes. In the Kabylie region by making couscous with Thapsia plant, fresh fava beans, poppy buds or green peas and preserved meat. In rural and mountainous areas, early spring outings are also an opportunity to harvest a wide variety of plants and flowers, many of which are edible.

Growing up in Algeria, my school vacations were often spent at my grandparents. Every spring, my nana (grandmother) would welcome the rebirth of life by filling a basket with fresh dates and making mbesses; a diamond shaped little semolina bread made with fresh butter and cooked on a Tagine. Ba (my grandfather) would carry the plate of mbesses and I the basket of dates and together we would go outside, on our sidewalk and hand out mbesses and dates to passers, kids coming from school, young and old coming from work. Later, back in my nana's kitchen, a bowl of couscous with fresh green peas all drizzled with local olive oil will await us. And so will a plate of freshly made rayeb (a sort of plain yogurt)

We carried this tradition even after Ba passed away. Still, it wasn't the same not having him by my side on that sidewalk. Soon after, my nana and I would just share dates and mbesses directly with our family and neighbors.

Whatever you are doing this spring season, I wish you all a blissful and healthy spring!

Algerian Pastries in Ann Arbor

Three months ago, I decided to take the plunge and follow one of my dearest dreams. That week, butter, flour and orange blossom water spent most of the day on the countertop and my hands were rolling, shaping and filling pastries almost every single day. That week, Wednesday came faster than ever before and I’ve found myself one Wednesday afternoon packing my car with a table, a chair, a cardboard sign and a bin filled with pastries. With a kiss on the forehead from my husband and a hug goodbye from my daughter Layla, I backed up on the driveway and took the road that would get me closer to the Ann Arbor farmer’s market, to my dream; the road that would give birth to Al Meida fine Algerian pastries. That day, I gave birth to a slice of my country in the heart of Ann Arbor and it never felt so beautiful, so sweet, just like pastries.

Again

Here I am again.

Nearly a month since my last post, my last cookies and, actually, a month, or even more, since I baked anything sweet. (Apart from the day we went for a picnic with friends and I promised to bring a cherry tart. A mighty good tart, I must say. I don't know how I managed not to ruin it, but I did). Here I am again.

Cooking hasn't been much present lately. The only things I've been making are salads, not so thrilling ones, bread, because I have to, roasted vegetables, because I have a toddler to feed, and sometimes, when I'm feeling really good, a soup.

I wish I could tell you that I am as excited about fresh vegetables and silky tagines and rustic dishes as I was before, but honestly I am not! My burners are off most of the day and the only things that get me excited recently are crusty bread, milk, juicy peaches and my bed.

I hope to get back on my feet pretty soon and be able to appreciate my cuisine as I used to; until then I hope you are all well and content.

And, as always, thank you for your support, for your words. Thank you for just being here.

Warda

Exquisite Day / Un Jour Exquis

I meant to tell you more stories today.
I meant to tell you about the neighbourhood market, the home brined olives, the pile of juicy organic oranges in our kitchen, the street foods, the people, the roadside vendors, the local art, the local music, the regional clothes, the sand, the sea and the warm days.

I meant to tell you all. I meant to tell you about the unforgettable couscous with swordfish my mother made on a beautiful sunny Friday. She usually uses grouper, which I personally prefer, but swordfish isn’t a bad choice either. We took out the gorgeous plates her friend Hassiba made for her and we feasted on couscous, grapes and dates. We were full, we were dizzy and we all took a nap, which was very appropriate on a heavy Friday afternoon.

I apologize if there will be no recipe of the couscous today, but I wanted to stop by to wish you all a happy, blessed and exquisite Thanksgiving Day.

I am sure your kitchen, and your family, must be whistling of excitement. And in case you need some last-minute ideas, what follows is some of my falls favourite.

Soup and Starters:
- Roasted Beets Salad
- Harira Soup
- Roasted Butternut Squash soup
- Marinated Feta Cheese
- Parmesan Black Pepper Crackers
- Bourek

Bread:
- Algerian Semolina Bread
- Challah with Candied orange peels

Side Dishes:
- Sweet Potatoes Tagine
- Spicy Roasted Carrots
- Broiled eggplant Zaalouk
- Chedar, Goat cheese and Cilantro Cake
- Warm leek salad

Dessert:
- Easy Peasy Lemon Tart
- Egyptian Bread Pudding
- Fragrant Rice Pudding

Ciao!

Thirteen hours, three planes, four airports and one sleepy toddler later, I was finally in Montpellier, France, hugging my sister and resting my head and my body on a real comfy bad, having a real exquisite meal.

I was exhausted, yet excited. I was drowsy, yet couldn’t sleep. I don’t remember how the first day went by, or how I managed to do it all. I don’t remember what I saw, or what I said the first day. I remember Marion, and her beautiful smile, at the airport of Paris. I remember digging my teeth into the most wonderful Pastry I’ve ever eaten. I remember her kindness, her sense of humor, my clumsiness. I remember my daughter dancing in the middle of the airport and playing hide and seek even after such a long trip. I remember my sister crying when she held her niece in her arms for the first time. I remember the gorgeous weather of Montpellier, how I loved having the sun on my face, how I loved the vineyards on the side of the roads and how everything seemed small, organic and earthy.

I remember when I held my niece in my arms for the first time and how I thought she looked a lot like my sister. I love her laughter. I remember Montpellier International Fair we visited that same day; and the following day and the day after. I remember taking Mo’s old Camera, which I’m deeply in love with, and taking many photos and memories with it; memories of my daughter with her cousins running and dancing in the middle of the fair, memories of fruity cheeses, cookies, lanterns, masks, sun dried tomatoes, foreign accents and black truffles.

I still don’t know how I managed to do it all that first day. But if I have to do it all over again, I wouldn't change a thing; except the airplane seats.

These photos are from the enchanting Italian Hall at Montpellier International Fair. Another destination, dear to my heart, will follow soon.
Until then, I send you some sunshine and a basket of love and laughter from Latte, a beautiful village near Montpellier where I enjoy my days with my family.

Raspberries Season / La Saison des Framboises

Hi there. Anybody here?

My mother told me the other day that she’s had enough of nibbling and spreading every time she takes a look at my blog. I am sure she isn’t the only one. I know I’ve had enough of it.

I didn’t mean to be away this long, but knowing how summer in Michigan can be fleeting we are spending most of our days outside with my family and my husband’s adorable nieces who came to spend the month of June with us. Our days are spent strolling around town, playing cards, which I must say I am now quite addicted to, watching soccer games, which I must admit we are all addicted to in the family, doing a lot of cooking, chasing fire flies, rolling in the grass and picking raspberries in my own backyard. Let me say it again because I still can’t believe it: Picking raspberries in my own backyard. Ah! It’s like music to my ears… and my senses.

I’ll be back very, very soon with recipes, a basket of berries and more summertime stories.

Happy weekend, my friends!

At Noon / à Midi

I was born at noon. Warda was the name my nana gave me. She said she always wanted to give her daughter this name. She gave it to me. Warda. Flower. I was the second child, the second daughter; the second “floral” name in the family (my sister’s name is Yasmine, which means Jasmine).

I was born in a small clinic, in a small room. I was born on a warm spring day. My father still remembers the exact room where I was born. Every time we would go by the clinic he would show me the room and tell me these exact words: “Here! This is where you were born. You were a big baby and your face was so red that the nurse called you red mullet when handing you to your mother” I talked to him this morning, and he told me he is going to visit this exact room tomorrow. I smiled.

My parents were here when I gave birth to my daughter. My father walked me to the car and he didn’t want to let me go. He told me it was just yesterday that he was walking my mother to the clinic to bring me to the world, and now he was walking me to the car to have my first child. My mother smiled. I smiled. We both cried.

I was born into a loving home. I was born into a loving family. I was born into a family where my grandmother would make her memorable Jam Tart on birthdays.

Happy New Year / Bonne Année

Happy New Year!

My family and I wish you the best of everything for 2008.

Peace, happiness and blessings to the world.

See you very soon my friends.

Until then, here's a list of my 2007's favorite Concoctions. I hope you will enjoy them as much as I did, sharing them with you.

The Casbah Delights: (Algerian Dishes)
- Eggplant Zaalouk
- How to make your own Zaatar
- Kaab el Ghazal
- Caak
- Stuffed Globe Zucchinis

Breakfast:
- Buckwheat and Apple cider crepes
- Jam cookies
- Ricotta and blueberry Pancakes
- Chocolate Brioches
- Pain d’épices

Tarts:
- Easy Lemon Tart
- Fig and almond Tart
- Plum and Coconut tart
- Ricotta, peach and lavender honey parcels

Desserts:
- The best chocolate pot ever
- Cherry and strawberry cheesecake
- Black forest verrines
- Frozen honey and orange mousse

Culinary techniques:
- How to make praline
- How to make candied orange rinds

My Sweet Dates

I just couldn’t wait to share with you this sweet present that my parents sent us today. My favorite dates in the whole wide world: Algerian Deglet Noor Dates. To me, they are just the best dates ever: sweet and fingers sticky dates stuffed with my mother’s homemade almond paste. I am in heaven. My mother has been telling me all this week about the pounds and pounds of stuffed dates that she was making for my cousin’s wedding but I didn’t imagine a single minute that she had some made just for us. Now I will ask my hubby to hide them away because I can’t stop eating them. And because my mother knows how much I love cute boxes in all forms and shapes, she sent them in the cutest sugar box I have ever seen. Oh! And did I mention that my sister spoils me too with jam filled cookies, a cookbook and chocolate. I am in heaven. Just in heaven.
Merci beaucoup maman et papa pour tout votre amour. Merci aussi ma soeur chérie pour ta gentillesse et ta générosité.

Le Marché / The Farmers' Market

I love Spring. The weather is warm, the flowers are blooming, the days are longer and the Downtown Rochester farmers’ Market kicks off. What else could we ask for?