Arab-American Women Cook Online

From the Saudi Gazette:

Many Arab-American women hold reputations among family and friends as great chefs of Middle Eastern food. Building on their domestic culinary success, Arab-American women for decades have opened Middle Eastern restaurants that enhanced America’s gastronomic landscape.

Today, Arab-American women are taking their culinary knowledge to a new level. Using recipes passed down through generations, these women are influencing American kitchens through the Internet.

Exemplifying this trend are two Arab-American women with roots at opposite ends of the Mediterranean - Lebanon and Morocco. Denise Hazime of DedeMed.com and Alia Al-Kasimi of Cooking with Alia are using cyberspace savvy to promote businesses that highlight the Middle East’s rich food heritage.

Whatever the reason for an interest in Middle Eastern cuisine, both women agree it is a thriving online market. Especially for Denise Hazime, who aspires to be known as the “Queen of Hummus.”

Co-founder of DedeMed.com, Hazime has a formidable Internet presence. With the help of DedeMed.com co-founder Crisantos Hajibrahim, videos from her Web site are posted on YouTube and her efforts are highlighted on Facebook among other sites.

Too Much Chocolate

Is there such a thing as too much chocolate???

Today, one of my i-friends (ie: internet buddy) sent me some pics of their latest journey and I sat down with some chocolate as I was waiting for the images to load. So engrossed was I with viewing the images - superb I might add enviously - that I did not realise just how much chocolate I had eaten until I felt like I was having a Homer Simpson moment (release the belt!).

Does eating too much chocolate give you a headache - or do you get a headache (ie: withdrawal symptoms) from lack of said delicious substance? Are you a secret stasher - hiding chocolate to ensure you get a "hit" when the mood strikes? Me, I have taken to adding just a dash (ie: large teaspoon) of chocolate powder to my coffee - yum - double the pleasure!

So I ask - is there such a thing as too much chocolate?

Gherkins and Tomatoes

For those with a taste for history and culinary treats, comes "Gherkins & Tomatoes"

"Gherkins & Tomatoes" revels in the lusciousness of food and culinary history. Cookbooks old and rare and new, recipes antique and modern, trends, morsels, tidbits … . History in the eating ... and the making.