Cooking Like Mama with Sumac and Love

Growing up in a household where family traditions were deeply rooted in Middle Eastern cuisine, I was always fascinated by my mother's ability to make every dish feel like a warm hug on a cold day. Her cooking wasn't just about following recipes; it was about love, care, and the gentle use of spices that made each bite a sensory experience. One spice in particular, sumac, played a starring role in many of her creations. Its tangy flavor and deep red hue added a depth to even the simplest of dishes.

The Flavor of Sumac

Sumac has been a staple in Middle Eastern cuisine for centuries, and its use is as much about tradition as it is about taste. This fragrant spice, made from the dried berries of the sumac bush, adds a subtle sourness and a burst of citrus flavor to meats, vegetables, salads, and even breads. In my mother's kitchen, sumac was the key ingredient that brought together flavors, aromas, and textures in perfect harmony.

Mama's Secret: Using Sumac with Love

For my mother, cooking with sumac wasn't just about following a recipe; it was about love and care. She believed that every dish she made should be infused with a sense of warmth, comfort, and tradition. When she cooked, she poured her heart into the pot, and this is what made her food special. Using sumac in cooking became an extension of this philosophy - it wasn't just about adding flavor; it was about sharing love.

Sumac's Role in Family Traditions

In our household, sumac was a key ingredient in many family traditions. It was used to make the perfect tabbouleh salad for special occasions, added to meat dishes like kebabs and shawarma, and even sprinkled on breads and pastries for a sweet treat. Every time we used sumac, it brought back memories of our ancestors' kitchens, where love, care, and tradition were the guiding principles.

A Lesson in Cooking with Love

What I learned from my mother's approach to cooking is that using sumac (or any spice) isn't just about adding flavor; it's about sharing love. It's about understanding the traditions behind the dishes we make and the people who made them before us. When we cook with love, every bite becomes a taste of tradition, a piece of our history, and a reflection of our own culture.

The Sumac in Our Kitchen

Today, when I'm cooking, I try to carry on my mother's legacy by using sumac in the same way she did - with love. Whether it's making a simple salad or preparing an elaborate feast, I add sumac as a token of love and respect for those who came before me. It reminds me that every dish we make has its own story, its own flavor of tradition, and its own capacity to bring people together.