QUOTES FROM THE INTERVIEW

1.        “That caramel glaze? it was like tasting pure gold.”

This quote, like “pure gold” reference, reflects the deep emotional and nostalgic value of aish el saraya. It’s not just about the taste; it’s about the comfort, warmth, and love that the dessert represents in family memories. For her this dish, in all its simplicity, holds a crucial emotional message of belonging and care.

2.        “Each bite brings back the feeling of being surrounded by loved ones, the soft glow of lanterns, and the warmth of shared laughter, it basically carries an unspoken message: you’re home, you’re welcome, and you’re cared for.”

This reflects my mother’s memory of the dessert, emphasizing how the dish, with its rich sweetness, felt so valuable to her, the experience of eating aish el saraya into something extraordinary. This symbolizes the preciousness of the moments shared with family and the care my grandmother put into each dish and the messaged it held for her.

3.        “Even now, when I see aish el saraya at a restaurant, it’s bittersweet. It might look the same, but it’s empty, it's missing the laughter, the warmth, and my grandmother’s touch that made it feel alive.”

To my mom, the dish is more than a recipe, it’s a piece of her heart, she expresses a sense of longing when she sees aish el saraya in a restaurant. Although it looks the same, it lacks the warmth, laughter, and personal touch that my grandmother gave to it. The dish isn’t just about the ingredients, it’s about the memories and moments spent with family. Without those, it feels incomplete and empty. This further highlight how food carries emotional significance that goes beyond its taste or appearance.

4.        “My mom says making it now feels impossible, like trying to recreate a memory without the person who made it special. It wasn’t just a dish, it was my grandmother’s way of bringing the family together, and without her, it feels incomplete.”

My mother explains that making aish el saraya now feels impossible because it’s tied to memories of my grandmother, who brought the dish to life with her care and love. Without her, it doesn’t feel right to recreate it, as the dish will feel incomplete, as if something vital is missing. This shows how deeply food can be tied to the people who make it and the memories they create around it.