Flavours of the Arab Golden Age – EP 1: Baghdad and al-Andalus
A historian and a chef discover a 1,000 year-old Arab cookbook from Baghdad and how its recipes reached southern Spain.
A historian and a chef go on a culinary journey through history to discover the roots of Arab cuisine and its influence on the food and flavours of today. Kotoz is a researcher in Arab food history, and Fadi Kattan is a renowned Palestinian chef.
They travel around Europe in search of recipe manuscripts from the days of the old Arab dynasties and empires. They start this first episode in the Finnish capital, Helsinki, where they find The Book of Dishes, the oldest known Arabic cookbook.
It describes ninth-century rivalries, including a singer-musician called Ziryab, who fell out of favour in the court in Baghdad and fled to Cordoba in Muslim al-Andalus. He brought his knowledge of music, the arts, fashion, and cookery with him to Spain and is famous for a stew called Green Tafaya.
Kotoz revives the recipe and cooks it in a 21st-century kitchen, a millennium after it was first created.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Qatar Tribune
a day ago
- Qatar Tribune
QF's BilAraby Summit highlights how Arabic can thrive in digital age
Tribune News Network Doha Earlier this year, Qatar Foundation's inaugural BilAraby Summit brought together innovators, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders to explore the evolution of the Arabic language in the age of Artificial Intelligence, digitization, and entrepreneurship—while honouring its cultural legacy. Held at Qatar Foundation's Education City, the summit served as a platform to amplify voices and ideas from across the Arabic-speaking world. More than 800 participants, including technology experts and creators, engaged in panel discussions, interactive workshops, and dialogue-driven sessions, focusing on the role of Arabic as a dynamic and modern language. 'This summit focused on practical models demonstrating Arabic's value as a language of science and innovation,' said Dr Anwar Dafa-Alla, translation consultant at the BilAraby Initiative. Dr Dafa-Alla participated in an exploratory session titled 'Translating BilAraby Content: A Bridge to Global Communication,' where he underlined the initiative's Open Translation Project which aims to translate Arabic content into multiple languages, extending its reach to a global audience. Dr Dafa-Alla said the project seeks to make BilAraby sessions accessible worldwide, freely disseminate knowledge, and support the digital growth of the Arabic language. It also aims to strengthen Arab identity globally, and foster social impact by sharing inspiring ideas with non-Arabic speakers. In light of the success of the inaugural summit, BilAraby is preparing for its second edition alongside a number of regional events. Faisal Alagel, chief executive producer of Sard Group from Kuwait, said: 'In recent years, we have seen a renewed focus on questions of identity and language within Arab society. This shift marks a new phase of reexamining the values that shape our lives, the language we use to think, to speak with one another and with our children, and to create arts and sciences. The BilAraby Summit offered a valuable platform for dialogue and the exchange of experiences and expertise among content creators and professionals engaged in the Arab world.' Among these compelling voices who shared their story at the summit was Abdul Rahman Sayidi from Mauritania, a business administration researcher and academic advisor, who introduced a visionary model of working that harmonizes with the rhythms of the universe and human nature. He explained that his model, which blends philosophy and science, depicts time as a facilitator of life, rather than a source of stress. The summit also spotlighted the journey of Arab innovators including Egyptian engineer Taimur Al-Hadidi, who built a house entirely using recycled materials; Diana Al-Sindi, the Iraqi engineer at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), who inspired by distant stars, taught Arab youth that space is an adventure for all; and Jordanian educator Salam Katanani, who transformed the world of science into a realm of exploration and excitement.
ILoveQatar.net
2 days ago
- ILoveQatar.net
Threads of Light: Stories from the Tasweer Single Image Awards
Threads of Light: Stories from the Tasweer Single Image Awards presents 31 compelling images from the 2023 and 2024 awards, each capturing a fragment of memory, culture, and emotion. Spanning 12 countries across the Arab world and beyond, these photographs reveal the extraordinary in the everyday—from intimate Egyptian portraits to the vibrancy of Yemeni streets, the sacred traditions of Oman, and contemporary moments in Iraq. Selected from hundreds of submissions, the collection weaves together documentary, street photography, and artistic expression into a rich visual tapestry. Source and cover image credit: Tasweer Note: The details mentioned in this event listing are sourced from the organizers' official announcements and are subject to change. Please check with the organizer directly before making plans.
ILoveQatar.net
2 days ago
- ILoveQatar.net
Wafa al-Hamad: Sites of Imagination
Wafa al-Hamad: Sites of Imagination is the first museum exhibition dedicated to the career of pioneering Qatari artist, educator, and designer Wafa al-Hamad (1964–2012). Featuring works from the permanent collection of Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, the exhibition includes a range of media—watercolour, oil painting, woodwork, and digital art—alongside archival materials and loans. Al-Hamad's art integrates Arabic calligraphy, optical illusions, abstraction, and three-dimensional design, creating dreamlike realms where ancestral memory converges with contemporary expression. The exhibition considers both global and Gulf-specific influences on modern art and abstraction that shaped al-Hamad's visual language. It also reflects on the Qatari and broader Arab traditions that informed her practice, practice, highlighting a distinctive aesthetic philosophy. Curated by Lina Ramadan. Details Source and cover image credit: Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art Note: The details mentioned in this event listing are sourced from the organizers' official announcements and are subject to change. Please check with the organizer directly before making plans.
