Chef Hawa Hassan has a new book. In this book, she tells real stories from people who lost their homes because of war or problems in their country. These people share their family recipes. Hawa shows how food can keep culture alive, even when everything else is gone.
One man named Ali Zaman makes a special dish from Afghanistan. It is called Uzbeki Kabuli pulao. He puts sesame oil on it to make it taste better. Ali lives in New York City, but his family comes from Queens, Kabul, and Maimana. He wants to share the taste of his homeland. He says, “Home is not just a place. It is a feeling.”
Chef Hawa agrees. She says that food helps people remember who they are. Her book shows that food is more than food. It carries memory, love, and identity.
Why Hawa Chose These Stories
Chef Hawa chose stories from people in different countries. These places had war, danger, and problems. But they also have deep culture and strong history. She wanted to show how rich and beautiful these places are, not just the bad news.
She picked countries like Iraq, Lebanon, Egypt, and others. She wanted to show their stories of trade, family, and food. Many people only hear one story — about war or sadness. Hawa wants people to know the full story.
Each recipe in the book has a real person’s story. You read about the food, but you also meet the person who makes it. This makes the book more human and more powerful. It is not just about cooking. It is about people, memories, and love.
Stories, Feelings, and the Power of Food
Many people in the book lost their homes. Some left because of war, others because of danger. But they still carry their family recipes and memories with them.
Hawa says that every story in the book is strong. Each person shared something real — sometimes they laughed, sometimes they cried. But all felt proud of their food and their stories.
Food helps people remember who they are and where they come from. For Hawa, food helped her feel close to her family after being away for 15 years. She says that food can give people a way to feel home, even when home is gone.
Food is not just something we eat. It is something that brings feelings, memory, and belonging. That is why it is so special, especially when life is hard.
Why Sharing Food Stories Is Important
Hawa says we need to keep stories. When people lose their homes, their stories must not be forgotten. We need to remember and share these stories, so that no one is left out.
She believes that food stories are strong. Even when people don’t know the full history, they can still listen, cook, and share meals. Food can help people feel safe, strong, and connected.
Hawa hopes readers will respect the many ways people keep their culture alive — through small things like cooking a meal. Food is not just food. It is also memory, identity, and survival.
This book is not just about recipes. It is about many voices that are often not heard. Hawa says:
“I hope people will cook these dishes, share them, and make a place at the table for everyone.”
Food is more than something we eat. It helps us remember our home, our family, and our culture.
Even when people leave their country, they still carry their food stories. They cook the same meals their mother or grandmother made. This helps them feel safe and strong.
Hawa Hassan’s book shows that every recipe has a story. And every story has a heart.
By cooking and sharing food, we keep these stories alive. We learn about others, and we feel together — even when we are far from home.
Source: bbc.com
Vocabulary for the Article
Food – What we eat.
Example: I like to cook good food.
Recipe – Instructions for making food.
Example: This is my grandmother’s recipe.
Kitchen – A place to cook food.
Example: My mom is in the kitchen.
Cook – To make food.
Example: I cook dinner every night.
Meal – Food we eat at one time.
Example: Lunch is my favorite meal.
Family – People who live together.
Example: I eat with my family.
Story – Something people tell or write.
Example: My dad told me a story.
Tradition – Something people do again and again.
Example: Making this food is our tradition.
Culture – The way people live and eat.
Example: Food is part of our culture.
Home – The place where we live.
Example: I miss my home.
Memory – Something we remember.
Example: This dish brings back memories.
Share – To give something to others.
Example: We share food at the table.
Love – A strong good feeling.
Example: She makes this with love.
Comfort – A good and safe feeling.
Example: Warm soup gives me comfort.
Simple – Easy to do or make.
Example: This is a simple recipe.
Taste – How food feels in the mouth.
Example: I love the taste of garlic.
Smell – What we feel with our nose.
Example: The food smells great.
Ingredient – A part of a recipe.
Example: Rice is the main ingredient.
Displacement – Having to leave home.
Example: War caused displacement.
Hope – A good feeling about the future.
Example: Food gives people hope.
Questions Based on the Article
Who is Hawa Hassan?
What is her book about?
Why did some people leave their home countries?
What do the people in the book share?
What does food help people remember?
Where does Ali Zaman live now?
What dish does Ali make in the story?
Why is food more than just food in this book?
What does Hawa want people to learn from the stories?
Which countries are in the book?
What do recipes carry besides taste?
How did Hawa feel after being away from home for 15 years?
Why are food stories important to share?
What does Hawa hope people do with the recipes?
What does food help people feel when they have no home?