سناء خالد .. وجه مشرق من بلادي

Where did you get the most practice for your cooking?x

From my mom, directly and indirectly, I always loved her food — even when we went to other people’s houses, I never enjoyed the food as much as I enjoyed the food at home. I learned some being with her and watching her in the kitchen, but for sophisticated dishes she wouldn’t let me try! She would say “Some other time, now I’m busy, I need to finish this quickly!” She was a teacher and she always had little time because of work and having a big family to take care of! I remember when she had to leave me with my brothers and sister and go to Sudan for summer holiday — I was the eldest left home at that time; my elder brother in college, so I was left in charge and I had just finished high school. I had the kitchen all for myself — and I had my younger brothers and sister to experiment on! That was my biggest chance. Neighbors and friends would bring food, but I also took the chance to make my own — nobody could tell me to get out of the kitchen now. During that time I did learn a lot, and when mom was back she was very pleased– she let me take care of cooking from then until I had to leave for college.x

My mom could even make the kisra — Sudanese thin bread — and not every woman can do it, it needs lots of practice. And some people don’t even take the challenge; they just buy it ready made. But my mom used to make it for us. So when she was not there, I tried and when she came back I was already able to make it.x

My mom was my inspiration.x