Part 2/3: BASMA’S PICNIC.
On the 26th of July, I took myself on a picnic. It was time to celebrate with God and my ancestors who I was. And so I brought my favorite food, from my ancestry and from where I was born.
Except for the homemade harissa, chili and pains au chocolat, I took pictures of all the food on this creation.
Lablabi – Kebab: both working-class foods, both are linked to my past and present. I never knew Lablabi was eaten in a bowl until I arrived in Tunis. In Bizerte and my hometown, we eat it as a sandwich, and this is how my mom kept making it for us. This kebab is specifically from my hometown, but this time from the one in France. It is still the best I tasted even after living in Paris. Cheap, wonderful food, which I hope I’ll have the privilege to always eat.
Mloukhia: my dearest Omi used to always cook it on Eid day with mjemaa (a loaf of bread with a hard-boiled egg (with its shell) in the middle). Nowadays she makes it more regularly. Honestly, Omi’s ma9rona, coscssi, and every food made by her blessed hands is heaven to me. I will definitely make different pieces of “Basma’s picnic” to celebrate her talent and food.
Camembert: my Baba arrived in France when he was 19. Now, at 66, he always had this habit he took early on, of finishing his meal with a piece of bread and cheese. My love for French cheese clearly comes from him.
Pain au chocolat: Also a food linked to my father. He would go to Lidl and bring us some pain au chocolat before we woke up. Food is always sweeter when it comes from love.
Bouza: I had a rough time leaving Tunis after having lived there for a year. I found my sister Ibtissem, who opened her heart and home to me. Not only I am obsessed with Bouza, but this is a glass I had at her place. She bought this expensive yet delicious sweet for me and damn, now I want to have a glass with her.
Tarte Vanille de Pierre Hermé: I was a student in Paris for 5 years. I’ve learned so much and found a second family there. I also found the joy of pastries, when I don’t even like sweets that much. I would save some money to be able to afford some sweet, happy, amazing pastries made by Pierre Hermé. It is something I never found in any other country I had the privilege to visit. Whenever I had a bit of money left, it was worth sitting down on a bench in front of the church of Saint-Sulpice, and enjoying a piece of bliss.
