John –
Food is more than daily nourishment. For many refugees forced to leave their homes, the recipes that have been passed down through generations are some of the few things they can bring with them. And sharing a meal brings communities and cultures together, transcending borders and languages.
That's why our digital cookbook, Recipes from Home, contains more than instructions for how to prepare a delicious meal. Embedded in the recipes are the stories of refugees: their cultures, their hopes for the future and their families.
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đź’›This week, we wanted to share some of our favorite Recipes from Home featuring moms and families.đź’›
🍪Yousif and Taghreed's Shakar Lama Cookies from Iraq
Download Yousif and Taghreed's Shakar Lama recipe >>
For as long as he can remember, Yousif has shared a passion for baking with his mother, a pastry cook. Their family was resettled by the International Rescue Committee in Seattle in 2013 after fleeing from the war in Iraq.
"I love baking with my mom because it's a lot of fun and we get to spend time together." Yousif said, "Making traditional Iraqi food helps me have a relationship with my homeland and my heritage... My favorite cookie to make is Shakar Lama (cardamom cookies)... It's like our family's signature. It's been passed down generation to generation."
🫓Rodain's Harak Osbao "Burnt Fingers" from Syria
Download Rodain’s Harak Osbao recipe >>
This is the recipe that reminds Rodain—a Syrian refugee—of her mother. One day it will remind her children of their mother too. Also known as “burnt fingers,” Harak Osbao is a traditional meal from Syria and every time Rodain's mother made it, she told the story about how it got its name.
The story goes like this: A man's wife had cooked this dish from scratch with no name. He came home starving and couldn't wait to try the dish, and he burnt his fingers because it looked so good, but was still hot.
🥔Hafeza's Afghan Bolani
Download Hafeza’s Afghan bolani recipe >>
Hafeza and her children have been living in Greece since fleeing from Afghanistan. She took part in an International Rescue Committee cooking workshop for refugee and local women and shared this family recipe.
"My mother taught me the recipe. When she was in the kitchen I went to check what she was doing. I asked her what she was cooking, and she told me 'Bolani' and then she taught me how to make it." Hafeza says.
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Refugees like Hafeza, Rodain, Yousif and Taghreed have been able to rebuild their lives thanks to assistance from IRC supporters like you.
Thank you for all you do for refugee families, and happy cooking!
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