Talks at Google Noor Murad | Dishes & Stories From My Middle East
May 20, 2025
Noor Murad, a Bahrain-born chef and author, heads the Ottolenghi Test Kitchen and shares her culinary journey. She discusses her book, 'Lugma', which blends traditional Middle Eastern recipes with modern twists. Noor highlights the significance of black lime in enhancing dishes and the rich tapestry of Bahraini cuisine, woven with personal anecdotes. She emphasizes the emotional connections food creates and her experiences navigating cultural identity in London. With a focus on accessible ingredients, she inspires listeners to embrace the comfort of Middle Eastern cooking.
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Black Lime's Culinary Magic
- Black lime (Lumi) is a staple in Gulf cooking, offering earthy, bitter flavors and acting as a tenderizer.
- Noor is passionate about popularizing it globally for its versatility in stews, rice, marinades, and even desserts.
Core Bahraini Food Characteristics
- Bahraini food is rustic, comforting, and heavily seafood-based due to its island geography and fertile land.
- Traditional dishes like madrooba and figuata showcase intricate layering of flavors creating warm, hearty meals.
Food as a Link to Home
- Moving to London made Noor realize her need for connection to home through cooking.
- Food helped her cope with loss and find identity by reproducing Bahraini flavors abroad.
