My Lebanese Grandma was an incredible cook.  She made the most amazing meals with Syrian bread, rice (like no one else can duplicate), kibbee, cabbage rolls, and of course grape leaf rolls.  The gift was then handed down to my mother, who is also gifted in the kitchen.  We were treated to our Lebanese favorites for special occasions, and holidays mostly.  Then, as I grew older, I wanted to learn to make some of these amazing dishes.  Unfortunately, I don't count myself as "gifted" in the kitchen, but given a recipe and enough practice, it has the potenial to come out right!  That said, I made grape leaf rolls for our Lebanese family Thanksgiving, and it was the hit of the party!!  I was so pleased they turned out right for those who would actually know what they're supposed to taste like! :)  I was then invited to make them for another Thanksgiving celebration.  I took a picture, and added the recipe for any inspired to cook!

Show Producer Fatima Fofana hails from Sierra Leone.  We have known each other so long that we have grown up together having been roommates in college.   One of the best things for me culturally as far as the world of food was having a roommate from Guyana and West Africa.  There in our humble apartment in Baltimore, I watched her cook Cassava leaf stew.  The Cassava leaf soup is also very popular in Liberia but the recipe differs a bit.  Cassava leaf stew is a wonderful dish to consider preparing for the holidays.- Crystal Johnson, MCCN Editor

Show Producer Fatima Fofana hails from Sierra Leone.  We have known each other so long that we have grown up together having been roommates in college.   One of the best things for me culturally as far as the world of food was having a roommate from Guyana and West Africa.  There in our humble apartment in Baltimore, I watched her cook Cassava leaf stew.  The Cassava leaf soup is also very popular in Liberia but the recipe differs a bit.  Cassava leaf stew is a wonderful dish to consider preparing for the holidays.- Crystal Johnson, MCCN Editor

Here at the MCCN we champion events that combine both food and charity. On May 8, 2010 the inaugural Brothers Who Can Cook pre-Mother’s Day Love Affair will take place in Baltimore, MD. Touted as an expression of love, the event promises to pamper attendees with food, live music, poetry, and comedy. The event will benefit the Ujimma Rising Mentoring Project and Baltimore’s homeless. Recently, MCCN’S food history editor Catrina Sally interviewed the program’s Chief Visionary Officer Bri Ward (Ujimma Masani). Here’s what he shared:

Michelle Karam is culinary trained but a born Armenian who advises, "Makes more sense to cut it into squares before you cook it... makes cutting easier. :)." Note this not Karam's recipe.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups peeled and shredded potatoes
• 1 tablespoon grated onion
• 3 eggs, beaten
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 cup peanut oil

Ingredients:

1 cup pearl rice (long grain white rice may be substituted)
2 medium sized white onions chopped fine
1/3 cup Wesson Oil
Salt and Pepper to taste
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup tomato sauce
1 teaspoon dill
1/4 cup chopped parsley
about 50 grape leaves (may be purchased in gourmet shops or in gourmet dept. of a large supermaket)

Spanakopita:

INGREDIENTS

• 2 pounds spinach (steamed, squeezed, drained and chopped)
• 1 cup feta (crumbled)
• 1/4 cup dill (chopped)
• 1/4 cup parsley (chopped)
• 1 bunch green onions (sliced)
• 3 eggs (lightly beaten)
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• phyllo dough

Show Producer Fatima Fofana hails from Sierra Leone.  We have known each other so long that we have grown up together having been roommates in college.   One of the best things for me culturally as far as the world of food was having a roommate from Guyana and West Africa.  There in our humble apartment in Baltimore, I watched her cook Cassava leaf stew.  The Cassava leaf soup is also very popular in Liberia but the recipe differs a bit.  Cassava leaf stew is a wonderful dish to consider preparing for the holidays.- Crystal Johnson, MCCN Editor