Previous Features

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I was born and raised in Cairo, Egypt, where I graduated from the Hotel Technical Institute. From there I immigrated to the Washington, DC area. I like the challenge of learning the foods of other countries, because studying their cooking customs is a great way to learn about the people. My media career began in 1992. My cooking show is in its 7th year and I am currently working on a cookbook while getting ready for the new series.

What is your favorite cooking style?

At home I enjoy cooking with my kids. On the cooking show I like simplifying techniques and at work, I enjoy cooking and producing "under pressure."

Can you tell us about your cooking show?

The cooking show "Bil Hanna Wa Shiffa" or "Joy with Good Health" is broadcast in Arabic. The show airs via satellite from London-based Middle East Broadcasting Center (MBC) to over 40 million viewers on 4 continents, Asia, Europe, North America and Africa. It can also be seen in the U.S. via the ANA Television Network.

You specialize in Middle Eastern cooking. For people who don't know what this is, what kind of foods does that cover?

Middle Eastern cooking has been known in the past for just a few types of cuisine. For example, North African cuisine or Moroccan and Egyptian dishes. While these are all different style cuisine, they are considered Middle Eastern. I consider Lebanese and Syrian cooking Middle Eastern as well.

You are also an accomplished chef in other culinary styles and ethnic foods. Can you explain?

As a caterer working in the Washington, DC area I learned to tailor my food to the multiple cultures and ethnic groups giving functions where the focal pint of the party was the food.

You have placed a big emphasis on cooking for/with children. How does that differ from cooking for/with adults?

Being an Egyptian I find the USDA food "pyramid" a handy metaphor. It is interesting to let kids know that food is like building a pyramid - the deeper the foundation is, the higher the building can go. The better choices of foods you have as a child, the better the body and the healthier the mind.

How did you first get interested in the Pressure Cooker?

A chef always thinks of cooking faster yet still maintaining the nutrients and flavor of the food. The pressure cooker is the fast and healthy way to cook on the stove.

How does the pressure cooker lend itself to Middle Eastern cooking?

Whether it's beans, or a stew simmered to perfection, a sauce or one pot meal eaten with traditional bread; all require a longer cooking process. The pressure cooker can reduce the time factor while maintaining the flavor.

Is there a secret to success when cooking with a pressure cooker?

Consider the ingredients. For example, a vegetable won't take as long as beans: fish won't take as long as meat. If you read the manual, you'll use the Pressure Cooker more frequently and will get more out of it. Chefs always like to turn to tools that help us to reach our goals.

What about adapting or developing recipes for the pressure cooker. Can anyone do that?

Anyone can develop a recipe, all you have to do is try and you will be amazed at the results.

You have said that one of your goals is to simplify cooking. Does the pressure cooker fit in to this somehow?

I think it is important for families to gather around the dinner table. If we can take complicated recipes and simplify them by using such tools as the pressure cooker, we can use interesting recipes and still cook a meal in a timely fashion. Maybe taking a little longer time at the beginning of a meal is worth the payoff in health.

I understand you have done quite a bit of product testing. What do you think are the biggest assets of the Kuhn Rikon Duromatic pressure cookers?

The fact that you don't loose the nutrients of the food while it cooks and the obvious saving of cooking time and the easy cleanup. Also the diversity of cooking a variety of foods - a main dish, side dish or one-pot meal - along with the value of re-heating foods in less time.

Do you have any advice for someone looking to buy a pressure cooker?

It is important to know what you are looking for and what uses you will have for the product. If you are buying a pressure cooker, buy the best, because in the long run it will be worth the investment. As for the size, depending on the size of the family, I would choose a larger size for the main cooking and a smaller pressure cooker for side dishes and re-heating.

Tell us about your new cookbook.

My new cookbook will be more about simplified cooking with a Middle Eastern flair.