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Levant

The History of Zaatar And a Zaatar Cheesy Delight Recipe

Contributing writer Menal Elmaliki shares what is Zataar, the famous Middle Eastern spice, as well as its history and its importance in the region. Zatar is as popular in the region as ketchup is in America to those who aren’t from the region. What’s special about zatar is the thyme that it is used for, a wild thyme that grows in the Mediterranean and middle eastern region used in their cuisine, spread on bread and eaten with olive oil. Zatar traces back to biblical times and has a reputation being brain food.

Fatteh Hummus: The Resourceful Yet Rich Casserole of the Middle East

If there are people that can turn day-old bread into a sumptuous feast, it would be the people of the Middle East. Resourcefulness is practically in their genes, as they turn lowly lentils into regal Mujaddarah, chickpeas into silky hummus, or stale bread into Fatteh. The word Fatteh in Arabic means “crushed” or “crumbs”, as fatteh transforms dry bread or crumbs into a foundation for rich-tasting casseroles. In this case, day-old pita bread is cut up crouton-sized, then toasted, grilled, or fried. This layer of crunchy bread is then covered with other ingredients that vary according to the region, from Egypt to the Levant. 

Check Out This Cookbook! “Middle Eastern Sweets” by Salma Hage

By: Khelil Bouarrouj / Arab America Contributing Writer Salma Hage, the Lebanese British author of the new cookbook “Middle Eastern Sweets,” readily concedes that a collection of recipes dedicated to sugary desserts, pastries, creams, and treats might appear, at first, out-of-touch with our health-obsessed culture where added sugar has been thoroughly demonized. Hage is herself … Continued

Do I Look White to You?: The “White Arab” Myth in America

By: Qaïs S. Ahmadī / Arab America Contributing Writer White or Wrong? There was an alleged mass shooting at a Boulder, Colorado grocery store on March 22, 2021. This followed the Atlanta, Georgia spa shooting by a white man who had a “really bad day.” In the same token, social media quickly ruled that the Boulder suspect … Continued

Food Insecurity in Syria: A Growing Humanitarian Crisis

By: Claire Boyle / Arab America Contributing Writer Introduction: The country of Syria is experiencing numerous humanitarian crises including the decade-long ongoing civil war, the huge influx of refugees also due to the conflict, displacement from homes, economic instability, and these have also been further exacerbated by the COVID-19 Pandemic which continues throughout the nation. … Continued

10 Important Moments of the 20th Century in the Arab World

By: Dani Meyer/Arab America Contributing Writer History in the Arab world is full of incredibly defining moments that have not only shaped the region, but the entire world. Looking back at the 20th century, it is clear that there are many moments that fundamentally changed Arab history and future. While many moments, big and small, … Continued

5 Greek and Levantine Dishes That Are Very Similar

By: Emily Tain/Arab America Contributing Writer              Despite being made up of a myriad of different countries, the Mediterranean has historically been a hub for cultural diffusion. The ancient entanglement of Egypt, Rome, and Greece is an obvious display of this diffusion, yet many forget about the Middle East and … Continued

Peleset, Philistine, and the Etymology of the Holy Land

By: Emily Tain/Arab America Contributing Writer The etymology of the name Palestine is debated among scholars of the Ancient Near East. After combing through a variety of sources, it is easy to understand why coming to a conclusion can be difficult. Peleset The most sound connection is to the word ‘peleset,’ represented as ‘p-r-s-t’ in … Continued

From Palestine To El Salvador: The Story of Palestinian-Salvadorians

By: Noah Robertson/Arab American Contributing Writer Up until 1918, present-day Palestine existed under the Ottoman Empire. As with any other empire or country, Ottomans left the empire in search of a new life with new opportunities. After 1908, Young Turk Revolution led to forced conscriptions and with World War I on the horizon. Many Palestinian … Continued

Lulu Seikaly Could Be the First Arab Woman To Represent Texas

Lulu Seikaly, Democratic Candidate for Texas’ 3rd Congressional District/The Texas Signal By: Laila Shadid/Arab America Contributing Writer “A fresh voice for North Texas.” If elected, Lulu Seikaly (D-TX) will be Texas’ first Arab American congresswoman. The 34-year-old lawyer and first-time politician is up against incumbent Van Taylor (R-TX), whom she describes as “an extension of … Continued

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