Friday Teatime Memories

Grandma Stella fondly remembers her Fridays filled with family and food, from cooking with her mother to hosting tea parties with relatives and friends, all surrounded by warmth and love.

I find it difficult to just cook for myself. I end up having simple foods to eat. I will either have yogurt or cheese or salads with avocados and olives. I will have porridge or cornflakes, or hard-boiled eggs and a boiled new potato. I’m generally satisfied with these types of meals because once a week my children come over for dinner and then I cook up a storm. That leaves me with some leftovers. Last week, however, they had all gone to California, leaving me with not even one hot meal. Upon their return, they went shopping for me. I asked for a cauliflower. Today I prepared a dish of Cauliflower Au Gratin. One of the ingredients in the sauce is nutmeg. When I was done, I put everything in the sink to be washed. As I was about to put the grater in the sink, I caught a whiff of the freshly grated nutmeg. I closed my eyes, smiled to myself, and was swept into another time and place.

I was once more in the kitchen in my parents’ home. It was a winter Friday afternoon, the equivalent of Sunday. Each Friday in winter, Maryam Barbari made chelo kebab for lunch. Everyone relaxed and chatted afterward, listening to Papa’s stories and history tidbits. The meal over, it was time to bake a cake, and Mama, her daughters, and guests would gather eagerly for tea time at their house.

With all the egg whites leftover, they made a white cake and various other treats like orange cakes, walnut cake, chocolate cake, and Grandma’s favorite, the Walnut Spice Cake. The aroma of nutmeg from grating it for the cake batter brought joy to the kitchen. Simmering turnips and caramelizing dates filled the air as preparations for the tea continued, with cheese bread and bâton salées being readied alongside the samovar for tea.

As the table filled with tea offerings, guests arriving, Papa enjoyed his pipe and classical music while Mama freshened up with Arpèges perfume and a touch of makeup. The doorbell rang, signaling the arrival of cousins and friends, marking the start of another delightful Friday teatime at the Tawfik’s, filled with laughter and togetherness.