Yaansoon Illustration + Art | The Illustration Blog of a Nomadic Mediterranean Foodie | Illustrator & Artist | Food Illustration, Travel Illustration, Illustrated Maps, Editorial Illustration, People Illustration, Illustrated Recipes

Welcome to My Food and Travel Illustration Blog

Hello and welcome to my food illustration blog and illustrated travel journal! Before telling you more about me, I would like to start the first post on my blog by dedicating the artwork, portfolio, and illustrations created here to my eternal Sufi mentor and spiritual guardian, my late Grandmother, my lovely Teta. I am so grateful that in so many ways I turned out to be like her, a well-travelled foodie, who appreciates the cultural differences that make us, and who also happens to enjoy exploring folk traditions and making things with her hands! In the spirit of Teta’s generosity and Mediterranean hospitality, ... continue reading...

Cultural Travel Illustration: Middle Eastern & North African Footwear

This cultural travel illustration is inspired by my trips to old souks and handcraft hubs across ten countries in the Middle East and North Africa (the MENA region). The truth is, I used to be seriously obsessed with organic looking leather sandals that are handmade and often untanned. Although this too is a footwear fetish many women the world over are known for, mine was about the humbler, more ... continue reading...

Illustrated Food Tips: How to Prepare a Delicious Middle Eastern Breakfast

Breakfast on a weekend in the Middle East is a tasty communal fiesta. Families gather on Friday morning around a large tray of special weekend treats that fill the house with delicious aromas. Most of the Middle East, with the exception of Lebanon, enjoy their weekends on Fridays and Saturdays. So, a big breakfast is a must on a late Friday morning. If you’re thinking of bringing the Middle ... continue reading...

Lebanese Mutabbal: An Often Misunderstood Eggplant Dip

I sometimes feel Lebanese Mutabbal, also referred to as "Eggplant Dip," is somewhat misunderstood by foodies less familiar with the Middle Eastern culture. I watched a video the other day on the YouTube channel of one of America's famous chefs, and I felt a strong urge to start my "Illustrated Middle Eastern Recipes" blog series with Mutabbal. From a cultural point of view, it was weird seeing her ... continue reading...

Jordanian Galayet Bandora: An Easy Middle Eastern Fried Tomatoes Dish

Middle Eastern fried tomatoes come in all forms and flavours; some are made with meat, while others are sautéed with eggs (like Shakshuka). But this Jordanian Galayet Bandora is a main course/starter that I consider to be one of the yummiest olive-oil based offerings in the Middle Eastern cuisine. What I love about this dish is that it only works with olive oil; trying to make it with any other ... continue reading...

Mediterranean Food Illustrations: Italian, Moroccan and Turkish Culinary Tour

I’ve been wanting to create these Mediterranean food illustrations for a while now, and I’m so happy I finally got around to making this happen! I love how food culture in the Mediterranean region is so diverse, yet sometimes so comparable. You might think food in Italy is totally different from food in Lebanon or Syria, but the fact is, in some areas of Italy there are foods that are very similar ... continue reading...

Italy Culinary Tour: Illustrated Map of Puglia

Working on this illustrated map of Puglia (Apulia) has filled me with more joy than I could have ever imagined! This just goes to show that the impression this beautiful region with its centuries-old farmland and long Mediterranean coastline, has left on my hubby and I was truly extraordinary and special! Puglia, down in the heel of Italy, was certainly the highlight of our recent Italy Culinary ... continue reading...

Illustrated Map of Jordan: The Melting Pot of Heritage, Hospitality, and Biodiversity

A few weeks ago, I created this illustrated map of Jordan to celebrate the unique flavours of this small and beautiful country, nestling peacefully east of the Mediterranean Sea. Jordan is unlike any Middle Eastern country I have ever been to. It is home to five UNESCO World Heritage Sites (including the red-rose city of Petra, and the newly-admitted Baptism Site), Roman archaeological ruins ... continue reading...

Shorabet Adas: Middle Eastern Lentil Soup Food Illustration & Recipe

This healthy and vegetarian Middle Eastern lentil soup is enjoyed in households and restaurants across the Levant and the Middle East, and comes in endless varieties. Today’s red lentils recipe is both simple in preparation and ingredients, but it is also a very flavourful soup. Before meeting my husband I used to add veggies, cumin […]

Lahmacun: Turkish Pizza with an Italian-Lebanese Twist

Although many refer to it as Turkish Pizza, this delicious Middle Eastern pastry is also popular in Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Armenia, and, of course, Turkey. There are so many versions of this Levantine flatbread, however in this new Illustrated Middle Eastern Recipes post, I will be sharing with you my husband’s signature recipe, which I think […]

Mouneh: An Illustration of the Delectable Middle Eastern Pantry

In today’s illustration, we are taking a closer look at the Middle Eastern pantry behind some of the recipes scheduled for my Illustrated Middle Eastern Recipes blog series. Mouneh is the word used in Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, and Palestine to indicate the tradition of preserving organic seasonal produce consisting of vegetables, yoghurts, herbs and fruits, […]

Illustrated Middle Eastern Recipes: Food Stories by a Multi-Cultural Couple

The first blog series I’m launching today is called “Illustrated Middle Eastern Recipes,” and it comes with the tagline “Food stories by a Multi-Cultural Couple.” Food stories have played a major role in developing my imagination as a kid. My grandmother used to send me off to the land of imagination and beauty with her […]

Illustrated Italian Recipes: Pizza Margherita con Pasta Sfoglia

I’m very excited to share with you the first recipe in my Illustrated Italian Recipes blog series, featuring a simple Pizza Margherita made with ready-made filo pastry. My husband and I started making this delicious summer favourite following our recent Italy Culinary Tour that took us to Milano (Milan) and Southern Italy. Before taking the […]

Illustrated Italian Recipes: Scrumptious Food Illustrations from Italy

The recent Italy Culinary Tour my husband and I had to Italy’s food scene had me thinking about starting this new blog series, Illustrated Italian Recipes, featuring food illustrations from Italy. In addition to creating a personal space for me to develop my signature food illustrations style around the authentic Italian cuisine and rich food […]

Um Fouad’s Coffee Ritual: A Female Syrian Refugee’s Recipe for Hope amid Adversity

The first episode in my Illustrated Women Who Can blog series is about the female Syrian refugee who inspired this series, Um Fouad. Frankly speaking, there’s no one like Um Fouad. She is a bubbly, strong-willed, optimistic lady who doesn’t let anything drag her down, not even a civil war in her home country or […]

New Women Empowerment Blog Series: Illustrated Women Who Can

When I first thought about introducing this women empowerment series to my blog, I had one nagging idea in my head, and that is: Women are capable of such amazing things. I have seen it with my own eyes, and I have experienced it time and time again in ways that have opened up my […]