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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