October, 2009
Hello, I am a Pakistani-Afghan with a hint of Iranian. My mother and my aunt are great cooks and so were my two grandmothers. Like most cooks from our part of the world, they cooked intuitively, by method of ‘loose estimation’ or as we refer to in Urdu; andaaza. I learnt to cook in the same manner.
In our part of the world cooking techniques and recipes are almost invariably passed on through “oral tradition”. This inspired me to start putting pencil to paper to document and quantify some of the dishes I love to prepare at home, which I have learnt from my mum, aunt and both grandmums.
Given the current milieu in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran, I would like to think and hope that my blog provides readers with a much needed antidote of humanity and romanticism about our peoples and cultures.
This site is a culinary salute to the spice of different cultures and traditions which are a part of my family and the countries I have lived in and visited.
Finally, this blog wouldn’t be possible without the endless encouragement of my husband, Zain.
Photos:
I am a newcomer to the world of photography. All the food-related photos are mine, unless otherwise stated at the end of each post. I use a point-and-shoot Canon SD 940 IS and hope to buy a dSLR when I feel I am sufficiently further up the photography learning curve. I use Adobe Photoshop Elements to resize and sometimes, for minimal colour correction (hue/saturation); if the natural lighting is right, I only need resize. (Given that I don’t use a dSLR, I have to photograph in natural lighting, otherwise the photos come out awful with my little point and shoot).
I’d be flattered if you’d like to use any of the photos, but please do ask first, as a lot of time and effort went into taking, resizing, cropping and uploading them.
Blog Links/Exchanges:
I don’t do links or exchanges merely for the sake of reciprocity; but I would love to know about your blog, so please email me or leave your blog link in my comments section, and if I like it, I will put it up on my blogroll.
Thank you so much for visiting The Spice Spoon.
shayma
I can be contacted at .
October 21st, 2009 at 15:11
Hello Shayma
Lovely site and such a good idea! The gorgeous Mrs Trefusis put me on to you and I am so pleased she did: I have only ever managed basmati rice by luck rather than judgement and will definitely follow your advice.
Will follow with interest (and drool).
Best wishes, Debbie
October 21st, 2009 at 15:17
Hi Shayma,
I visited Pakistan and Iran and peeked over the Khyber Pass to Afghanistan in late 2000. Am very interested to follow your cooking experiences.
Sandra
October 21st, 2009 at 16:05
Adore this- Will frequent often!
October 21st, 2009 at 23:06
Many, many thanks for the kind words and for visiting the site.
@Sandra Would love to hear more about your visits to Pakistan.
October 22nd, 2009 at 07:16
Love your blog…looking forward to reading it more and trying the recipes!
October 22nd, 2009 at 11:58
I love what I have explored of your site so far and can’t wait to read more!
October 22nd, 2009 at 12:32
hey shayma…really really impressive!!
The site is neatly designed. The recipes look awesome(will sure try the easy ones to bring some diversity to my usually boring platter).
I cant get over the fact that you actually made all the effort to put everything together so nicely.
Brilliant!!
love,
s.
October 22nd, 2009 at 12:51
Hey Shayma cara
what a great idea!!!!….can’t wait to delight mediterranean hubby with spicy dishes….a much needed detour from our pasta life!!Brava
October 22nd, 2009 at 16:27
Love it! Your talents are endless. I look forward to reading more. Please share your favorite Roma and Med dishes with us as well. You are brilliant darling. xx
October 22nd, 2009 at 16:52
ummm….can we get the baingan-aloo-in-wok recipe soon? puhleeeeeeze.
October 23rd, 2009 at 07:15
@Ginger @Brandy @Saima @Fran @Aicha Love you girls, thanks so much.
@jtm Do you know that I cannot remember the last time I actually made that dish? Thanks for the inspiration! Only issue with it is, it requires glugs and glugs of oil (bec of the aubergine). But for you, I will post the recipe at some point and include our story (London days) with it.
October 24th, 2009 at 11:38
Hi Shayma – so glad you found our blog again! I love yours and am so looking forward to cooking from it.
Cara (Big Girls, Small Kitchen)
October 24th, 2009 at 11:53
@Small Kitch Cara Really like your blog, too. Thanks for visiting.
October 26th, 2009 at 11:06
I really love your website. I look forward to trying out these wonderful recipes.
October 27th, 2009 at 14:38
@Omar Thanks so much for visiting.
October 29th, 2009 at 11:37
Very nice looking blog. You probably already know I love spicy food. Please post more more of your family recipes if you don’t mind sharing.
October 29th, 2009 at 11:49
@Sunflower As you know, I am a huge fan of your blog, all the Southeast Asian Recipes are fantastic&the guides wonderful. Thanks for visiting mine and for the kind words; I hope to share many more recipes.
October 30th, 2009 at 00:23
Happy to discover you! Will now add you to my “Blogs I follow” section!
November 3rd, 2009 at 19:06
I don’t know if you have seen the Mexican film ‘Like Water for Chocolate’, but when I saw it I realised that food was without doubt part of the power of universal love as much as of the love of the heart. This blog makes me think of that movie. Thank you Shayma, you have a great gift xx
November 3rd, 2009 at 19:13
@Mrs L Thank you for visiting my site.
@Barbarina Thanks for your comment and for reminding me of a book/film I,too adore. Best wishes and a hug to you.
November 9th, 2009 at 09:00
Shayma
Thanks for visiting me and leading me here. You have a lovely site. Shall check out the Kabuli Pulao
November 10th, 2009 at 16:18
AMAZING! Have printed out all the recipes and will file into my “Shayma’s Section”. Can’t wait to read about and learn more recipes!
November 10th, 2009 at 17:48
Hi Shayma,
Just want to say, what a great blog with lots of lovely ideas. My friend is wondering whether you’ll be posting any more vegetarian dishes in the future.
AJQ
p.s. she’s too shy to leave a comment!
November 11th, 2009 at 11:23
Great stuff! happy to see you got this up so fast since I saw you last.
November 12th, 2009 at 08:20
@Bong Mom Thank you. I haven’t posted the recipe for Kabuli Palao- yet. I hope to do so in the New Year.
@Arj Thanks. x
@Atif Thanks, Atif. I hope to be posting some vegetarian recipes, I wish I could post more than once a week, but am new to this and still traveling up the learning curve. Thanks to you and your friend.
@Mesh Thanks for all the support, as always.
November 13th, 2009 at 08:18
Shayma,
Love this website, the way you approach food is so romantic and real. And, the pics make me want to jump right in to the food. I’d like to get lost in this website:)
December 4th, 2009 at 16:10
You have a wonderful space shayma, I love the kitchen and all the magic that surrounds it, I also consider the kitchen an art …
Thanks for your visit and I will add your site to my links to visit you often.
Excuse my bad English.
I leave my hugs and admiration.
http://www.elpuestuflora.blogspot.com/
December 6th, 2009 at 10:46
Shayma…..thank you. This seems to be my period of comfort! I seem to be connecting with all this people who have lived in Nigeria…..Wow. So now that we have one connection established, know that you have an extra reader, ok? Take care,Ozoz
December 6th, 2009 at 12:20
@Maggie You have been an inspiration for me- I still make your recipe for meatballs with the yoghurt and mint dip. A hug.
@Evangelina Your illustrations are utter heaven. I look forward to visiting your site often. Thanks for the lovely words.
@KitchenButterfly What an honour for my to have the food52 cook spotlight chef visit my blog! And a “fellow” Nigerian. I spent some of the best years of my childhood in Lagos. Many thanks- you have a reader/fan in me for sure. Your Canon G10 does wonders.
December 6th, 2009 at 13:05
Hi Shayma, your blog is great! I’m off to read more of your posts. :>)
December 9th, 2009 at 07:07
Very interesting blog. Thank you for sharing these delicious recipes. My dream has always been to try recipes from all around the world and your blog is the perfect place to find some!
December 10th, 2009 at 08:07
Hi Shayma,
firts of all beautiful name – does it mean something?
I think that your recepeis are just what this internet world was missing! Now we can enjoy new tastes from someone who has really experienced them!!
Thanks
Keep posting…you’ve got a new fan!
December 10th, 2009 at 08:17
@Lynn I thank you for visiting.
@Mathilde Thanks so much. Lots of new French recipes shall be added to my repertoire, thanks to you.
@Fulvia Thank you, Fulvia. Shayma means ‘beauty spot’ in Arabic. Am flattered by your comments, many thanks.
January 9th, 2010 at 10:47
Oops! I can’t find your location! where do you live Shayma?
January 9th, 2010 at 11:00
@Tasteofbeirut Ah, dear Joumana I don’t talk about where I live on my blog; mainly so I can keep my blog separate from the workplace. Have you reached safely? x
January 10th, 2010 at 04:50
What a nice surprise, Shayma, to find your blog…It is amazing what you do, you are incredibly talented…
I love how you show the food from your country…I love it becuase your blog is real, written by a real person with a history and love for her roots, because your photos (that are great) are taken by an amateur in photography (like mine) I am tired of seeing food blogs of photographers!!! I wonder if they know how to cook…
Continue working with so much enthusiasm…Congratulations!
January 23rd, 2010 at 09:46
Hi Shayma, thank you very much for the visit and comment on my blog! I am just as pleased to find yours, all flavours I absolutely love! I to started with just a little camera and now absolutely love my DSLR!
January 28th, 2010 at 02:06
Welcome to Blogworld ! What a very nice idea of yours. I am very curious to see your photos
January 28th, 2010 at 10:45
Great article! It’s often hard to find such well put together information that makes sense!
January 29th, 2010 at 04:04
Bloody brilliant x
January 30th, 2010 at 09:54
Shayma, you have such a lovely space here; i can’t wait to explore more of it.
February 6th, 2010 at 20:49
Hello Shayma, Wow, I just happened upon your site. Very nice and intriguing! I love Middle Eastern food but haven’t eaten nearly enough of it. I am looking forward to trying some recipes introduced here, if I can just find the spices here in Kyoto! Take care and thanks. m
February 8th, 2010 at 00:25
Your blog is most impressive – the pictures are great. I am hugely into food as well..
thanks for visiting razarumi.com..I have added your link to my blogroll.
February 10th, 2010 at 10:54
Great work Shaymapa. . . I especially like the photographs.
March 2nd, 2010 at 13:16
Oh, I’m so glad you left a comment on my blog, because it led me to yours — and I absolutely love it! This is in my bookmarks now; I look forward to reading more.