{"id":4768,"date":"2007-04-05T00:24:00","date_gmt":"2007-04-04T21:24:00","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2024-12-14T19:11:13","modified_gmt":"2024-12-14T17:11:13","slug":"epalestine-san-francisco-chronicle-two","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/epalestine.ps\/sambahour\/2007\/04\/epalestine-san-francisco-chronicle-two\/","title":{"rendered":"San Francisco Chronicle: Two Easters in one (WITH EASTER RECIPES TOO)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> NOTE: For high quality PICS go to online article at this <\/span> <\/font> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sfgate.com\/cgi-bin\/object\/article?f=\/c\/a\/2007\/04\/04\/FDG53OTDM01.DTL&amp;o=0&amp;type=printable\"> <font face=\"Arial\" color=\"#0000ff\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> <u>link<\/u> <\/span> <\/font> <\/a> <font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> :&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" color=\"#7f0000\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" color=\"#7f0000\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> San Francisco Chronicle&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"4\"> <span style=\" font-size:14pt\"> <strong>Two Easters in one&#160; <\/strong><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> <strong>East Bay family&#8217;s meal draws on ancient tradition&#160; <\/strong><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> Karola Saekel, Chronicle Staff Writer&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> Wednesday, April 4, 2007&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> Samir and Georgette Nassar and their family, Palestinian &#8230; Kaak bi Ajwa, or Easter Cookies, are filled with dates. T&#8230; Georgette Nassar and her husband, Samir, share the prepar&#8230; Roasted Game Hens on Sumac-Onion Bread (Mousakhan). Chron&#8230; More&#8230;&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> Like Christians worldwide, the Nassar family is preparing for Easter this week. And like most of their neighbors, this year they will celebrate only once.&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> Generally, the family marks the feast of the resurrection of Christ twice: Once for Samir Nassar, who is of the Eastern Orthodox faith, and once for his wife, Georgette, a Catholic. The two celebrations, with dates anchored in ancient customs tied to the lunar calendar, can be as much as six weeks apart. This year, they fall on the same date: April 8.&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> And the food traditions, many going back to ancient times, are the same for both groups of Palestinian Christians, no matter the date of the observance.&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> Actually, the family still had two Easter feasts this year: They did a demonstration dinner a couple of weeks ago at their Hercules home to show us what a typical Palestinian Christian Easter meal looks and tastes like. As they will this Sunday, the whole family worked together in the well-equipped kitchen before sitting down to a feast that stretched over a couple of hours.&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> Juju, as Georgette Nassar is called, has her men well trained. While her husband (Sam to his American friends) chops, sons Samer and Suheil (Soosh) fetch platters, peel cucumbers or watch over food simmering on the stove or baking in the ovens.&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> Though father and sons studied a variety of subjects, they all ended up in the food business in one way or another. The young men, both in their 20s and UC Berkeley graduates, live together in the East Bay.&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> Samer operates Grub-n-Go, a popular downtown Berkeley sandwich shop; his brother manages a deli in Walnut Creek, and the parents&#8217; Brewed Awakening coffeehouse has been a fixture just north of the UC campus for 20 years.&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> &quot;Food and service &#8212; that&#8217;s what Palestinians here do,&quot; Sam Nassar says with a grin.&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> Food certainly is a focal point, and the traditions of the table are one way for Palestinians in the diaspora to preserve the connection to their ancient culture, the Nassars believe.&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> The family&#8217;s togetherness in the kitchen and at the table is not reserved for holidays. The two sons come for dinner at least twice a week, their filial loyalty no doubt aided by their appreciation of their parents&#8217; cooking, which dovetails with modern American trends. Much of the family&#8217;s food is local and seasonal; they grow it in their own backyard.&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> The hot sauce that seasons many Palestinian dishes comes from peppers grown in a protected spot by the side of the house. The garden also provides home-grown tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, squash and more &#8212; Soosh pulled neat, flat packages from the freezer to show off the grape leaves from their own arbor that are the basis of stuffed grape leaves year-round.&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> Many of the fruit trees and vegetables are grown from seeds brought from the place Sam and Juju Nassar call home. They were both born and raised in Bethlehem and were married in the ancient Church of the Nativity there.&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> Unlike some immigrants who have a hard time duplicating their traditional meals in the United States, the Nassars say they can find all the needed ingredients here, generally in mainstream groceries.&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> A few, such as sumac and the binding\/sweetening agent, gum Arabic (also called mastic) require a trip to stores specializing in Middle Eastern or Greek foods (such as Haig&#8217;s on Clement Street in San Francisco). And some come directly &quot;from home&quot; &#8212; especially arak, the potent liquor that&#8217;s a favorite digestif in the Middle East.&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> Olive oil is a staple, although the Palestinian kitchen also makes use of samna, a form of clarified butter similar to ghee that adds richness to some dishes. It is not used sparingly. As Sam Nassar puts it, there has to be enough &quot;to stay on your mustache.&quot;&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> The trial Easter meal followed Middle Eastern custom, with no clear delineation between courses. Except for dessert, everything is brought to the table simultaneously, so diners can set their own pace and pattern as platters pass from hand to hand with frequent encouragements: &quot;Have a little more.&quot;&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> First on the table are bowls of hummus. The Nassars add lightly fried pine nuts to the lemony, garlicky garbanzo spread for a toothsome, crunchy contrast.&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> Two yeast dough-based dishes also might be considered starters: fatayer, which are turnovers filled with lemon-scented spinach; and sfiha, a close relative of pizza. At the Nassar house, the chewy crust is topped with finely minced cooked lamb seasoned with onion, garlic, jalapenos and parsley, moistened with tahini and tomato sauce.&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> Lamb in a coarser grind also gives substance to hashweh, a rice dish seasoned with allspice and again highlighted with pine nuts.&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> The main attraction is mousakhan, sumac-scented game hens roasted to a reddish brown and placed atop Arabic pocket bread, or pita, with more sumac and plenty of sauteed onions. Laban bi khiar &#8212; mint and cucumber salad in a yogurt dressing scented with garlic &#8212; offers a cooling contrast.&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> To conclude the feast, there are kaak bi ajwa, date-filled cookies in the shape of wreaths. Sam Nassar says some Palestinian bakers now make them any time of year, but his family likes the tradition of baking and eating them only at Easter. The shape of the cookie is symbolic of the crown of thorns that, according to Christian tradition, was put on Jesus&#8217; head in his final hours.&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> At the trial run for the feast, there were seven of us at the table. On Easter Sunday, there will be many more. Juju and Sam Nassar were both reared in large families, and between the two of them have about 50 relatives in the Bay Area.&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> It&#8217;s a safe bet that not only will everybody invited to the Easter feast eat their fill, but also be urged to carry some food home. Hospitality and generosity are Palestinian hallmarks, says Sam Nassar. &quot;If we have to feed three, we cook for 20.&quot;<\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" color=\"#7f0000\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> RECIPES<\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> <strong>Roasted Game Hens on Sumac-Onion Bread (Mousakhan)&#160; <\/strong><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> Serves 6&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> INGREDIENTS:&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> 3 game hens, cut in halves&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> 1 cup olive oil&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> 1\/2 cup fresh lemon juice&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> 4 tablespoons ground sumac&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> Salt and pepper to taste&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> 1\/2 teaspoon paprika&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> 3 large onions, chopped&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> 3\/4 cup pine nuts&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> 6 rounds thick pita bread&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> (such as the Middle Eastern brand Aladdin)&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> INSTRUCTIONS:&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> Instructions: Preheat the oven to 350&#176;.&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> Rub the hens with 1\/2 cup of the olive oil and the lemon juice. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of the sumac, salt and pepper to taste, and the paprika. Cover with foil and place in a baking pan with 1\/2 cup of water. Bake for 45 minutes, then uncover the pan and turn the heat to broil. Broil for 10 minutes, until the hens are browned.&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> Heat 1\/4 cup of the olive oil in a skillet, then add the onions, and the remaining 2 tablespoons sumac. Season with salt and pepper. Saute until the onions are soft.&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> Heat the remaining 1\/4 cup olive oil in a skillet and brown the pine nuts in it. Using a slotted spoon, remove the pine nuts and set on paper towels to drain.&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> Lightly grease 2 baking sheets.&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> Remove the hens from the baking pan and set aside. Dip the pita into the broth in the pan and arrange in a single layer on the baking sheets, 3 per sheet. Place a layer of the onion mixture on each pita. Transfer the cooked hens to the top of the pitas. Top with more onion mixture. Place under the broiler and broil for 5-8 minutes, until the bread is crispy.&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> Sprinkle the hens with the pine nuts and serve. Skim the fat from the juices, then pour into a gravy boat and pass at the table.&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> Per serving: 765 calories, 49 g protein, 42 g carbohydrate, 45 g fat (9 g saturated), 125 mg cholesterol, 772 mg sodium, 3 g fiber.<\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> <strong>Palestinian Hummus&#160; <\/strong><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> Serves 6&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> This traditional Palestinian dish can be served for breakfast, lunch, dinner and even as a snack with pita bread.&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> INGREDIENTS:&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> 1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> 1\/3 cup tahini&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> 1\/3 cup fresh lemon juice or to taste&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> 1 clove garlic, or to taste&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> 1\/2 jalapeno pepper&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> 1\/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> 2 tablespoons butter&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> 1\/4 cup pine nuts&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> Paprika, for garnish (optional)&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> Chopped parsley, for garnish (optional)&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> INSTRUCTIONS:&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> Instructions: Drain the chickpeas, reserving 1\/4 cup of the liquid. Place the chickpeas with the tahini, lemon juice, garlic, jalapeno pepper and salt in a food processor and blend until smooth. If the hummus is too thick, add some of the reserved chickpea liquid until it reaches the desired consistency.&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> Melt the butter in a skillet and brown the pine nuts in it.&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> Place the hummus in the center of a large flat plate and spread it toward the edges with a spoon. Sprinkle the buttery pine nuts on top. If desired, garnish the edges with dashes of paprika and chopped parsley.&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> Serve with pita bread.&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> Per serving: 215 calories, 7 g protein, 15 g carbohydrate, 16 g fat (4 g saturated), 10 mg cholesterol, 366 mg sodium, 5 g fiber.<\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> <strong>Mint &amp; Cucumber Yogurt Salad (Laban bi Khiar)&#160; <\/strong><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> Serves 6&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> INGREDIENTS:&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> 2 cucumbers, peeled and cubed&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> 16 ounces plain yogurt&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> 1 teaspoon dried mint flakes&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> 1 small garlic clove, finely minced&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> Salt to taste&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> INSTRUCTIONS:&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> Instructions: Put the cucumbers in a mixing bowl. Add the yogurt, mint flakes and garlic. Season with salt and mix thoroughly. Refrigerate until chilled before serving.&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> Per serving: 60 g calories, 4 g protein, 6 g carbohydrate, 3 g fat (2 g saturated), 10 mg cholesterol, 38 mg sodium, 1 g fiber.<\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> <strong>Easter Cookies with Dates (Kaak bi Ajwa)&#160; <\/strong><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> Makes 30-35 cookies&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> Traditionally, these cookies are made only during the Easter holiday. The date cookie, in its circular shape, represents the crown of thorns that was placed on Christ&#8217;s head.&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> INGREDIENTS:&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> The Dough&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> 1 cup unsalted butter&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> 3 cups semolina&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> 2 teaspoons yeast&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> 1\/2 teaspoon sugar&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> 1\/8 teaspoon nutmeg&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> 1\/8 teaspoon powered gum arabic (see Note)&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> Pinch mahlab (optional, see Note)&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> The Filling&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> 2 pounds pitted dates, finely chopped&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> 2 tablespoons olive oil&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> 1\/4 teaspoon cinnamon&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> Powdered sugar&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> INSTRUCTIONS:&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> To prepare the dough: Melt the butter and let it cool to room temperature. Add to the semolina and mix thoroughly. Cover and leave at room temperature overnight.&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> Mix together 1\/2 cup warm water, yeast and sugar in a measuring cup. Cover and set aside in a warm place for about 5 minutes.&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> Add yeast mixture to semolina, along with nutmeg, gum arabic, optionalmahlab and 1\/2 cup room-temperature water. Knead by hand until thoroughly mixed.&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> To prepare the filling: Mix dates with olive oil and cinnamon. Form date mixture into 1 1\/2- inch balls and roll into 4-inch logs.&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> To assemble: Position a rack in middle of oven. Preheat oven to 350&#176;. Grease 2 cookie sheets.&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> Roll dough into 1 1\/2-inch balls, then roll into 4-inch logs. Flatten dough with your fingers and place a date strip in the center. Crimp edges of dough to seal date mixture inside. Shape dough into a ring and crimp ends together. Using a fork or wooden skewer, indent surface of cookie, taking care not to puncture dough.&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> Bake for 12 minutes. Remove from oven and cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet before transferring to racks to cool completely. Dust with powdered sugar.&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> Note: Mahlab and gum arabic are available at Middle Eastern stores.&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> Per cookie: 180 calories, 2 g protein, 31 g carbohydrate, 6 g fat (3 g saturated), 14 mg cholesterol, 3 mg sodium, 3 g fiber.<\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> <strong>Rice with Minced Lamb&#160; <\/strong><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> Serves 6&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> Georgette Nassar uses converted rice in this dish. If you want to substitute regular long-grain rice, decrease amount of water by 1\/4 cup.&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> INGREDIENTS:&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> 1\/4 cup + 4 tablespoons olive oil&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> 1 1\/2 pounds coarsely ground lamb&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> 2 cups converted rice (such as Uncle Ben&#8217;s)&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> 2 teaspoons salt&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> 1\/2 teaspoon pepper&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> 3\/4 teaspoon allspice&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> 1 cup pine nuts&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> INSTRUCTIONS:&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> Instructions: Heat 1\/4 cup olive oil in a 4-quart pot. Add the lamb and saute until browned. Drain. Add the rice, salt, pepper and allspice. Add 3 cups water and stir to mix well. Cover the pot and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 25-30 minutes, until the rice mixture is tender and fluffy.&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> Heat the remaining 4 tablespoons oil in a skillet. Add the pine nuts and saute until they turn golden brown.&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> To serve, spoon the rice into a serving dish. Sprinkle the pine nuts over the top, including any oil left in the pan, if desired.&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> Per serving: 490 calories, 28 g protein, 37 g carbohydrate, 28 g fat (9 g saturated), 75 mg cholesterol, 790 mg sodium, 4 g fiber.&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> <strong>E-mail Karola Saekel at kcraib@sfchronicle.com<\/strong><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> <strong><em>(please write a thank you letter to editor for covering a Palestinian family and tradition)<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sfgate.com\/cgi-bin\/article.cgi?f=\/c\/a\/2007\/04\/04\/FDG53OTDM01.DTL\"> <font face=\"Arial\" color=\"#0000ff\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> <u>http:\/\/sfgate.com\/cgi-bin\/article.cgi?f=\/c\/a\/2007\/04\/04\/FDG53OTDM01.DTL<\/u> <\/span> <\/font> <\/a> <font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> &#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> This article appeared on page F &#8211; 1 of the San Francisco Chronicle&#160; <\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> &#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8212;&#8211;<\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> Everything about this list:<\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> http:\/\/lists.riseup.net\/www\/info\/epalestine<\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> To unsubscribe, send mail to:<\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> epalestine-unsubscribe@lists.riseup.net<\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\">  <\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> To subscribe, send mail to:<\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\"><font face=\"Arial\" size=\"2\"> <span style=\" font-size:10pt\"> epalestine-subscribe@lists.riseup.net<\/span><\/font><\/p>\n<p align=\"left\">&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>NOTE: For high quality PICS go to online article at this link :&#160; San Francisco Chronicle&#160; Two Easters in one&#160; East Bay family&#8217;s meal draws on ancient tradition&#160; Karola Saekel, Chronicle Staff Writer&#160; Wednesday, April 4, 2007&#160; Samir and Georgette Nassar and their family, Palestinian &#8230; Kaak bi Ajwa, or Easter Cookies, are filled with [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","iawp_total_views":3,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"ppma_author":[936],"class_list":["post-4768","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news"],"authors":[{"term_id":936,"user_id":4,"is_guest":0,"slug":"sambahour","display_name":"Sam Bahour","avatar_url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/bca109c333bf6d8ae807746dd512adde46265d37c923f6cd0fc4aab437f8e9aa?s=96&d=mm&r=g","author_category":"1","first_name":"Sam","last_name":"Bahour","user_url":"https:\/\/epalestine.ps\/sambahour","job_title":"","description":"Sam Bahour (\u0633\u0627\u0645 \u0628\u062d\u0648\u0631) resides in Al-Bireh\/Ramallah, Palestine. He does business consulting as <a href=\"https:\/\/aim.ps\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Applied Information Management<\/a> (AIM), specializing in business development with a niche focus on the information technology sector and start-ups.\r\n\r\nBahour was instrumental in the establishment of two publicly traded firms: the Palestine Telecommunications Company (PALTEL) and the Arab Palestinian Shopping Centers (APSC). He is Co-founder &amp; Emeritus Member of <a href=\"http:\/\/a4vpe.org\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Americans for a Vibrant Palestinian Economy<\/a> (A4VPE) and until recently served as an independent Director at the Arab Islamic Bank P.L.C. and a board member at <a href=\"https:\/\/justvision.org\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Just Vision<\/a>.\r\n\r\nHe writes frequently on Palestinian affairs and has been widely published in leading outlets. He is co-editor of <em><a href=\"https:\/\/epalestine.ps\/sambahour\/1994\/10\/homeland-oral-histories-of-palestine-and-palestinians-book-recommended\" rel=\"noopener\">HOMELAND: Oral History of Palestine and Palestinians<\/a><\/em> (Olive Branch Press, 1993), tweets at <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SamBahour\" rel=\"noopener\">@SamBahour<\/a>, and blogs at <a href=\"http:\/\/www.epalestine.ps\/\" rel=\"noopener\">epalestine.ps.<\/a>"}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/epalestine.ps\/sambahour\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4768","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/epalestine.ps\/sambahour\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/epalestine.ps\/sambahour\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/epalestine.ps\/sambahour\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/epalestine.ps\/sambahour\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4768"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/epalestine.ps\/sambahour\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4768\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9868,"href":"https:\/\/epalestine.ps\/sambahour\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4768\/revisions\/9868"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/epalestine.ps\/sambahour\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4768"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/epalestine.ps\/sambahour\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4768"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/epalestine.ps\/sambahour\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4768"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/epalestine.ps\/sambahour\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=4768"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}