“Salt Bae”
Hashweh
Teresa: Tell us about your meal and why you chose it.
Jess: Hashweh is a simple Lebanese dish of just rice, lamb, and pine nuts, but it's my favorite meal, and makes me feel closer to my ancestors. I made this dish a few times. When my dad left, my relationship with food totally changed because it’s something we bonded with. I had a really hard time eating and cooking because nothing was ever going to be as good as my dads, which was really hard for me. I also lost both of my grandparents within the same year... so I was like, well fuck, when will I be able to eat more of these dishes? I wasn’t prepared to not have anyone teach me these meals all of a sudden. But now that I’m in my late 20s, I wish I would’ve asked questions when I had the opportunity. So now I’m just trying to figure it out.
Teresa: Where were you born?
Jess: I was born in Rockford, Michigan but moved to Traverse, Michigan when I was two years old, and spent another 18 years growing up there. (I pretend that’s where I was born). It’s a very beautiful place, and I’m fortunate to have grown up there.
Teresa: Favorite artists/bands?
Jess: Abra, Kelsey Lu, Spooky Black.
Teresa: What are your hobbies?
Jess: Cooking, baking, swimming, being with animals, my plants, and hiking.
