Latest news with #culturalfusion
National Post
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- National Post
Cook This: 3 Middle Eastern recipes from Lugma, including springtime fattoush
Article content Murad has always seen herself as having one foot in the East and the other in the West. As a chef, she naturally likes to experiment with different foods. With each of Lugma's recipes, she asked herself, 'Does this fit? Should I change it? Should I tweak it? Should I keep it more traditional?' The answer wasn't always easy. Article content 'It really made me question, 'What are the recipes I want to put into this book?' And also, 'What do I want to say, and what do I want to showcase?' So I tried to balance traditional and reimagined dishes and then really hone into what it means to be a child of two cultures.' Article content Lugma means 'a bite' or 'a mouthful' in Arabic. Murad often thought of her grandfather while writing the book. He was skilled at eating with his hands, creating the perfect mouthful of rice, meat and chili sauce between his fingers. 'That's kind of what inspired the book,' says Murad. 'I love eating with my hands, and I think that making someone a bite of something is a way of showing them that you love them.' Article content Article content Murad didn't set out to write a Bahraini book, but as time passed, she realized how much the island had shaped her palate and made her who she was. At the heart of Lugma is the generosity of hospitality in her Bahraini home, just 50 kilometres long (the same size as Singapore), with a fascinating food culture. Article content 'I wanted to show how this small but mighty island pulls from so many different influences. Through history, it was a seaport and centre of trade. Because it was so small, it almost created its own identity by pulling on other identities. So this fusion of Arabic, Persian, Indian flavours all rolled into one is so unique. That's what I wanted to shout about from my corner of the Middle East.' Article content Article content Serves: 4 Article content For the salsa: 4 tbsp olive oil 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped 2 tsp coriander seeds, roughly crushed using a pestle and mortar 1 tsp Aleppo chili flakes 70 g (2 1/2 oz) jarred red (bell) peppers, very finely chopped 1 tbsp rose harissa 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar 2 tsp maple syrup 50 g (1 3/4 oz) walnuts, well toasted and roughly chopped into 1-cm (1/2-in) pieces 70 g (2 1/2 oz) pitted Nocellara (Castelvetrano) olives, roughly chopped 5 g (1/8 oz) mint leaves, roughly chopped 10 g (1/4 oz) parsley leaves, roughly chopped 2 tsp pomegranate molasses Article content Article content For the halloumi: 2 x 225 g (8 oz) blocks of halloumi, drained 2 tbsp olive oil 2 tsp maple syrup Article content Step 1 Article content Make the salsa by adding the oil and garlic to a small frying pan and placing it over a medium heat. Cook until beginning to bubble and smell fragrant, about 1 1/2 minutes, then add the coriander seeds and chili and cook for about 30 seconds more. Stir in the peppers, harissa, vinegar and maple syrup and cook for 5 minutes. Set aside to cool to room temperature, then transfer to a large bowl, add the remaining ingredients and mix to combine. Article content Step 2 Article content Preheat the oven to 180C convection (200C/400F). Article content Step 3 Article content Halve each of the halloumi blocks lengthways (so they are the same shape, but thinner now) to give you four rectangular pieces. Pat them well dry. Use a small sharp knife to make a crisscross pattern across one side of each piece, with incisions about 1.5-cm (5/8-in) deep. Article content Step 4 Article content Heat the oil in a medium frying pan over a medium-high heat. Add the halloumi pieces and fry until nicely golden on both sides, about 4-5 minutes in total. Transfer to a small tray, crisscross side up, and pour over the excess oil left in the pan, followed by the maple syrup. Bake for 7 minutes, or until really nicely softened through the centre.
Globe and Mail
27-05-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Zodori Studio Unveils Artisan Jewelry Collection Celebrating Cultural Heritage and Natural Materials
Hong Kong SAR, China - Zodori Studio, renowned for its fusion of cultural symbolism and timeless design, proudly announces its latest collection of artisan jewelry. Crafted from ethically sourced natural gemstones, jade, amber, and rare woods like sandalwood and agarwood, each piece embodies a narrative of heritage, spirituality, and personal expression. A Symphony of Nature and Craftsmanship At the heart of Zodori's creations lies a commitment to authenticity and meaning. The studio meticulously selects materials not for their perfection, but for their unique stories and characteristics, including: Gemstones: Radiant and resilient, symbolizing confidence and individuality. Jade: Revered across cultures for its association with wisdom and tranquility. Amber: Fossilized resin that captures the essence of time and warmth. Sandalwood: Valued for its calming aroma and spiritual significance, promoting peace and balance. Agarwood (aloeswood or oud): A rare resinous wood prized for its rich fragrance. Widely used in bracelets and rings, it symbolizes purity, protection, and spirituality. Each material is thoughtfully integrated into designs inspired by Eastern philosophy, sacred geometry, and traditional craftsmanship, resulting in jewelry that is both visually striking and culturally resonant. Design Philosophy: Understated Elegance for Everyday Wear Zodori embraces minimalism, ensuring each piece fits effortlessly into the wearer's daily life—whether at work, traveling, or relaxing. These pieces are subtle yet profound, ideal as gifts that communicate meaning without words. Crafted for You, Inspired by Heritage At Zodori Studio, craftsmanship is more than a process—it's a philosophy. Each piece is: From natural gemstone settings to delicate carvings in sandalwood and agarwood, every detail reflects cultural reverence and artistic intention. Customization is encouraged, allowing buyers to tailor items through order notes—transforming each piece into a wearable legacy that's unique, meaningful, and authentically yours. Exclusive Offers for New Customers Zodori Studio warmly welcomes new customers with: 15% Off First Order – Use code WELCOM15 at checkout Free International Shipping 100-Day Return Policy – No restocking fees About Zodori Limited Zodori Limited is a Hong Kong-based jewelry studio dedicated to blending natural materials with cultural narratives. Through its handcrafted designs, Zodori invites wearers to explore themes of heritage, identity, and personal growth—offering jewelry that transcends mere adornment to become a meaningful part of one's journey. Media Contact Company Name: Zodori Limited Contact Person: Nick He, Co-founder Email: Send Email Country: China Website:
ABC News
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- ABC News
Opera Queensland's country and opera performance finds success in the outback
There are two genres of music people love to hate — opera and country. Under a kaleidoscope of stars in outback Queensland the two styles have merged and found a surprising audience. "Slim Dusty and Puccini, who would have thought," Melbourne opera fanatic Rosey Boyd said. Country songs are said to be made up of "loving, drinking, fighting and cussing" — similarly inspired themes that feature in opera, according to Opera Queensland. It is a hypothesis that Opera Queensland's Laura Hansford has transformed into the nationally touring country-opera production Are You Lonesome Tonight. Opera is not the typical genre of choice in rural communities, but the Festival of Outback Opera has been running for five years in western Queensland, bringing an influx of tourists from across Australia. It is a welcome boost for the local communities of Longreach and Winton where destructive flooding in parts of the outback earlier this year led to mass cancellations at the start of the tourist season. "We were actually very pleased that we were able to come and support the community given that they've had really hard times," said Brisbane attendee Elizabeth Wray. Laura Hansford recalled her initial apprehension four years ago when she was tasked with the challenge of creating a show that somehow combined John Williamson, Verdi, Slim Dusty and Puccini. "I said 'that's crazy' and then I went away and thought 'that's actually really cool and interesting,'" she said. It turns out that after "ruining" her Spotify algorithm researching the two genres, they unexpectedly had a lot in common. "One of the big things is the brilliance in storytelling," she said. She said the show had found success particularly with regional Queensland audiences, which led to Opera Queensland taking the show nationally this year. "Whether you're an opera fan, whether you are a country fan, whether you're a Taylor Swift fan, there is something in this show for everybody — and that's what connects us all," she said. Singer Gabrielle Diaz never thought she would end up in a production like this after studying classical voice at Brisbane's Conservatorium of Music. She loved the exploration of the two styles, switching effortlessly from American twang to the full vowels of an operatic aria. With grey nomad tourist numbers on the decline, a different niche of silver-haired travellers is boosting visitor numbers in western Queensland. Retirees, often from Melbourne or Sydney, make up the majority of the crowd at the Festival of the Outback Opera. Rosey Boyd and her crew are on a three-month road trip and were crunched for time to get to the show in Longreach. "We broke down two hours out of Melbourne, but we didn't let that stop us," Ms Boyd said. "We love the opera. We go as often as we can afford in Melbourne." Wrapped in a fur coat, Margaret Morgan flew from Brisbane just to experience the outback. "It's one of those things you have to be here to feel." Opera Queensland chief executive Patrick Nolan said the vast outback made for a perfect stage. "There's a clarity you get acoustically, once the sun sets, something happens in this environment which really lifts the singers' voices in a way," he said. As for the outback residents themselves? Opera has won over more than a few fans. "It's actually enjoyable. I don't usually like opera but from this I do. It tells a story," said Longreach country music enthusiast Kelsey Silburn.
