Bradford woman on cooking Palestinian dishes and recipes

The war-torn world still exists when Asil Hamada enters her kitchen, but for just a moment she can connect to the homeland she remembers.

When there are no more buildings in the skyline or sounds of children laughing, recipes help keep her family’s story alive.

“While the external circumstances may change, the emotional connection to these traditions remains a constant source of warmth and identity,” said Asil, who lives in East Bowling.

It comes as TikTok food bloggers across the world pay tribute to Palestine by sharing recipes for Cheese Manakeesh, traditional flatbreads and much more.

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Many of the videos are helping to raise vital funds towards humanitarian efforts. 

But more than that, the social media trend stops recipes from dying out with their people.

Traditional Palestinian dishes made by her ancestors more than 75 years ago have become treasured traditions.

Asil Hamada's dishes (Image: UGC)

Asil can always return to the comforting smells of freshly mixed hummus or Dawali, Palestinian stuffed grape leaves. 

“Cooking our traditional Palestinian dishes during these times feels nostalgic and comforting,” Asil said. 

“The emotions it brings up remain a source of connection to heritage and a sense of familiarity. Preparing these dishes serves as a reminder of shared family moments and cultural roots. Food helps me connect with my family's ancestry and heritage by preparing recipes passed down through generations. These recipes serve as a tangible link to our cultural roots, creating a sense of continuity and shared history within the family.

“Cooking Palestinian dishes has reminded me of home, bringing back familiar flavours and a sense of comfort.

“The power of food in heritage lies in its ability to preserve traditions, evoke memories, and create a sense of cultural connection.”

In the days that followed Hamas' October 7 attack and Israel’s response, Asil joined an Iranian refugee chef for a cooking class at Intercultured Festival.

Intercultured Festival was born out of founder Mussarat Rahman’s wish to build connections between communities.

Asil Hamada's dishes (Image: UGC)

It is hoped each event will open up deeper, more respectful conversations and create new friendships.

Speaking about the power of food, Mussarat said: “Intercultured Festival showcases a diverse world foods programme through the festival, highlighting the importance of cultural foods, so that the connections, memories and resonance to people countries and origins doesn't die out.

“The power of food has a legacy of its own. Food has its own language, and currency, most of which are taught recipes which have been handed down by parents, grandparents, aunties and uncles.

"The world can get a peek of how people from other parts of the world live and have lived.

“Bradford is a much more diverse city, with many nationalities now calling it home including a myriad of sanctuary seeking communities. It's important for us all to embrace the diversity we are surrounded by, and that also means embracing the delightful food culture which is now on every corner. Making Bradford ‘a world in a city’.”