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 down to earth variety. This obsession led me to reserve at least one afternoon during my trips to ... 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 Eastern breakfast experience into your own home, here are a few tips on how to set it all ... continue reading...
Watercolour Experiments: Hand of Fatima in Masking Fluid
With today’s post, I’m starting a sporadic series of Watercolour Experiments (under Paintings) as I venture into this mysterious medium. As an artist who loves and appreciates the intensity of “opaqueness,” watercolour intimidates me, because it’s transparent. I prefer opaque mediums like gouache and oil paints. But I am more adamant than ever about breaking into watercolour. In today’s Watercolour Experiments artwork, I am using my new Molotow Masking Liquid Pen (2 mm) for the very first ... 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 and sometimes turmeric to the mix, but for a pristine and velvety soup you must try this one! My husband’s Italian cooking style brings simplicity and great ... 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 like Jerash in the north, several biodiversity and nature reserves sprinkled across the country, and a ... continue reading...
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 high-speed train, Frecciarossa, from Milano to Napoli (Naples), my husband and I popped by COOP to stock up on snacks for our road trip. Their bakery had ... 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 Tour. Our intense tour took us to seven of Apulia’s cities, five of which are the highlight of the ... continue reading...
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 is the most delicious version I have ever tried so far! The internet likes to call it Turkish Pizza, but the Turks call the round-shaped meat pies as ... continue reading...
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