{
arts &culture
How
Delicious!
Jewish publisher helps launch
new Chaldean cookbook.
Annabel Cohenl Contributing Writer
More than 700 locals
gathered on March 30
at West Bloomfield's
Shenandoah Country
Club to feast on delicious
Chaldean foods to celebrate
Cookbook co-chair Sally Najor, right.
and Muna Paulus, whose rilcipe is calied
Meatless Zucchini Stew/Shijar 'd LaPusra,
display the cookbook aprons. Both are
from West Bloomfield.
the launch of a cookbook
called Ma Baseema,
Middle Eastern Cuisine with
Chaldean Flair. The book
contains more than 200
recipes submitted by local
Chaldean residents.
Ma Baseema, which translates
into "how good it is," was conceived
by the Chaldean American Ladies
of Charity (CALC), whose mission
All of West Bloomfield: Najat George and son RodneyA
Rodney's daughter Michaela amid a selection of foods.
BiAllingrDip, a cookbook delectable
is to preserve the Chaldean heritage
through awareness, advocacy, educa-
tion and support. The book takes
readers on a culinary expedition via
traditional and new recipes, photos
and a history of Iraq and ancient
Mesopotamia. As is with every eth-
nic group, Chaldean cuisine not only
preserves the history and heritage
of a country left behind, but also the
culture and traditions as handed
down from parents to children.
Published just in time to celebrate
the organization's 50th anniversary,
the nearly seven year-long project
culminated in a glossy, luxuriously
Fadia Karroo of West Bloomfield preparing Iraqi coffee