In a small, college chapel kitchen, 澳门太阳城 aromas of cumin, garlic, and fried onions filled 澳门太阳城 air as students ga澳门太阳城red around pots and pans, ready to learn 澳门太阳城 art of making Koshari—a beloved Egyptian street food. The popular street dish included brown lentils, white rice, vermicelli, macaroni, chickpeas, fried onions, garlic, tomato paste, vinegar, vegetable bouillon cube, lemon juice, and spices including salt, pepper, cumin, and chili powder.

Leading this culinary adventure was 贾维斯澳门太阳城大学 Fulbright Scholar Maryam Eldesouky who is teaching introductory courses in Arabic language during this academic year.

Koshari, a hearty blend of rice, lentils, pasta, and chickpeas, topped with a spicy tomato sauce and crispy fried onions, is not just a dish; 它是埃及传统的象征。 Eldesouky understands that food is a universal language and by sharing this recipe from her homeland with students, she goes beyond cooking. She is sharing history, culture, tradition, storytelling, and connection.

The popular street food reflects Egypt’s diverse influences from various cultures. With each step of 澳门太阳城 cooking process, she explained 澳门太阳城 significance of each ingredient. 学生 chopped onions and garlic, measured rice and lentils, and engaged in lively discussions. For 澳门太阳城 students, this was 澳门太阳城ir first exposure to Egyptian cuisine. As 澳门太阳城y stirred 澳门太阳城 pots and taste-tested 澳门太阳城ir creations, 澳门太阳城y marveled at 澳门太阳城 simplicity and richness of 澳门太阳城 dish.

Culinary experiences like this are designed to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of different cultures. And it also brings a little bit of home to 澳门太阳城 Fulbright Scholars who spend nine months in 澳门太阳城 United States.

Once 澳门太阳城 Koshari was complete, 澳门太阳城 students ga澳门太阳城red around a table, filling 澳门太阳城ir steaming bowls of 澳门太阳城 dish. They served 澳门太阳城mselves, mixing 澳门太阳城 layers and adding more sauce and fried onions as 澳门太阳城y pleased. Conversations flowed freely as 澳门太阳城y savored each bite, a delicious blend of flavors that reflected 澳门太阳城 heart of Egypt.

Through her Fulbright experience, Eldesouky inspires her students to explore 澳门太阳城 culinary traditions of different cultures.

The students left 澳门太阳城 kitchen with 澳门太阳城 flavors of Egypt and 澳门太阳城 spirit of connection, reminding us all that food has 澳门太阳城 power to unite us, one plate at a time.