Petrichor: is the earthy scent produced when rain falls on dry soil
I thought while the flipping over the Sleepy Muloukheh Leaves, completely high with that earthy smell of the sizzling leaves
“flip it well in ghee my angle” I can hear the sound of my Grandmma, flip it well so it doesn’t turn sticky, stir it to release those odours, and saturate it in Ghee, be generous, and gentle to the soft leaves.
I can’t really track the main source of this dish in the region, some say it was the Royal dish of the Pharaoh family back in old Egypt, but who cares, it is royal indeed.. With its high ranked ingredients and flavours, that savoury taste, and ahhh the smell of dried coriander with garlic, isn’t it a perfume of kings.
Lots of memories run into my mind along with this dish, that social sacred ritual in drying the mloukheh leaves, mom and grandma picking the leaves from stocks, then spread it on white sheets, where they dry slowly away from direct sun light, the annual ritual that turns the guest room in every Syrian house into Mloukheh drying Temple, children are not allowed of course, I caught myself with a gentle smile, drawn on my adult heavy dim face.
Still stirring those tendered leaves, then crowned it with abundant share of sliced garlic.. Then came the moment of truth, drums are playing in the background while adding the minced garlic to the coriander… a Symphony of colours, and odours.
A glorious dish, cooked with care and love, my grandmother’s voice in my head, could I stay hidden between those leaves, guarded by gently flowing memories, kept away from being an adult?
I finally added the freshly juiced lemon, Mloukheh is ready, i served my royal dish with rice, a smile, lots of love, and tender memories
Mr. “F” drunk with the taste, overwhelmed with ecstasy of odours full of taste bites, “on Sundays he rests” he patted my shoulder and thanked me with a smile that sums up my day
See you next week 😊
Soul Kitchen 