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FEATURE SPICING UP continued from page 49 ful slices ready to be wrapped in flatbreads and enjoyed with a variety of accompaniments like tahini or garlic sauce and pickled vegetables. Mana’eesh (Za’atar Bread): The preparation of Za’atar Bread begins with crafting a soft dough from highquality flour, which is then rolled out into small discs. A mixture of za’atar spice blend and olive oil is generously spread over the dough before being baked until golden and slightly crispy. The herbaceous za’atar blend paired with the richness of olive oil creates a flavorful and aromatic bread, often enjoyed as a breakfast item or a snack within the Chaldean community. Other types of Mana’eesh have different toppings, such as cheese. Kleicha: Kleicha preparation starts with creating a soft, pliable dough which is then filled with a sweet mixture of dates and nuts. Each piece is carefully shaped and adorned with a sprinkle of sesame seeds before being baked until golden brown. The result is a sweet, tender pastry with a filling that’s both chewy and flavorful, embodying a traditional taste. This is great for a post-meal sweet snack. Torshi: The making of Torshi involves pickling a variety of vegetables like cucumbers, carrots, cabbage, and cauliflower in a vinegar and spice mixture. The process requires a careful balance of vinegar, salt, and traditional spices to achieve the desired tanginess and flavor. Over time, the vegetables absorb the flavors of the brine, resulting in a crunchy, tangy accompaniment to many Chaldean dishes. Geymar with Date Syrup: The preparation of Geymar involves gently simmering heavy cream to achieve a thick, clotted consistency. Once prepared, Geymar is traditionally served with a generous drizzling of date syrup. The sweetness of the date syrup complements the rich, creamy texture of Geymar, creating a simple yet indulgent dish often enjoyed as a part of a traditional Chaldean breakfast. Tabouleh: Tabouleh consists of finely chopped fresh parsley, mint, and tomatoes, which are then mixed with soaked bulgur wheat. A dressing of olive oil, lemon juice, and a dash of salt is added to bring all the flavors together. The result is a refreshing, herbaceous salad with a citrusy zing, enjoyed as a Sahara Restaurant is among the influential Metro Detroit restaurants popularizing Middle Eastern and Chaldean cuisine. Under the guidance of Zeana (pictured) and Saad Attisha, Sahara has opened additional locations, with the latest in The District Detroit. light and nutritious accompaniment to many Chaldean meals. These recipes and many others can be found in greater detail and direction in cookbooks like Ma Baseema, Babylonian Cuisine, or Awafi. Chaldean Restaurants in Michigan The voyage of Chaldean cuisine to Michigan has resulted not only in the spreading of Chaldean dishes into the home kitchens of Michigan residents, but also the commercialization of the food. One of the community’s oldest and most famous restaurants, Sullaf, is located on 7 Mile Road in Detroit, in historic Chaldean Town. It serves basic Arabic and Chaldean dishes, including different meats and fish. Since it CHALDEAN STORY opened, many other Chaldean restaurants have served excellent food and become quite popular. Smaller Shawarma outfits operated by Chaldeans are commonplace throughout the suburbs of Detroit in cities like West Bloomfield, Sterling Heights, Southfield, and Farmington. Dozens of Chaldean bakeries, some that began informally out of someone’s home, can be found in these towns as well. Larger restaurants like Sahara, which just opened its newest location in The District Detroit, serve a wide variety of options for diners and also cater large parties for Chaldeans. Chaldean grocery stores are common in places where a lot of us live, which provide fresh ready-to-eat food as well as the This report is made possible with generous support from Michigan Stories, a Michigan Humanities Grants initiative. ingredients for making it yourself. The Chaldean News has a special series called “Chaldean Kitchen” which aims to preserve our culinary history. The series posts articles about the history of someone’s dish as well as the full recipe so you can make it at home. Even better, the article is accompanied by a short video showing exactly how it’s made, which can be found on You- Tube or the website chaldeannews. com. Even further, the new Chaldean Community Foundation center located in West Bloomfield, when completed, will include a demonstration kitchen so we can better share our delicious recipes with the world. The Chaldean community has successfully preserved and shared its culinary heritage by enriching Michigan’s food scene with a blend of ancient flavors and modern adaptations. The story of Chaldean cuisine in Michigan is a flavorful journey of tradition, adaptation, and entrepreneurial spirit, contributing to the culinary and cultural diversity that provides the foundation of the Great Lakes State. 50 CHALDEAN NEWS CHALDEAN STORY
CHALDEAN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION BREAKING BARRIERS 3601 15 MILE RD., STERLING HEIGHTS, MI 48310 Breaking Barriers provides services and advocacy to those with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities, older adults, and respite to caregivers. B.E.A.M. (BRAILLE, ESL, ACCULTURATION, MOBILITY) PROJECT – helps better equip those with visual impairments to live independent lives. H.E.A.L. (HARD OF HEARING, ESL, AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE, LIFE SKILLS) PROJECT – helps better equip those with hearing impairments to live independent lives. C.H.A.I. (CAREGIVER HELPING AID INITIATIVE) PROJECT– supports the family caregiver in care provision and stress reduction. BB ACADEMY – Adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities gather to participate in group activities, meet new friends, learn new skills and have fun while their unpaid family caregivers enjoy some well-deserved respite time. RECREATIONAL FAMILY RESPITE – Year-round themed gatherings for individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities and their families. Families enjoy a safe and familiar place to meet, break bread and to socialize. SUPERCUTS BARBER SHOP – Licensed cosmetologists provide complimentary salon services for individuals with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities by appointment. M.O.B. – Matter of Balance is an evidence based cognitive restructuring group class for older adults with mobility challenges to reduce the risk of Falling. BINGOCIZE- Older adults meet and enjoy group Bingo and light exercise to socialize and improve their overall health. CHALDEAN STORY CHALDEAN NEWS 51
