Cooking with culture: honoring Arab-American Heritage Month

Celebrated throughout April, Arab-American Heritage Month pays tribute to the many contributions this group has made to the USA and as Caroline Staudle writes, today’s Arab American community is made up of individuals with roots in 22 countries located in the Middle East and North Africa, offering vast history and culture we can all learn from. 

In honor of the month, we are recognizing Nora Hussein, a Palestinian and cook at Morris Inn and Notre Dame Conference Center, for how she creates memorable meals for guests at Notre Dame University using her roots for inspiration. 

Originally from Kuwait, Nora has since settled in South Bend with her family and has worked at the University for 15 years. Her passion for cooking began when she was younger, growing up with a mother who was an amazing cook and a family that owns a pastry shop in Jordan. 

She honors her background by practicing what she was taught growing up and observing the holidays that mean the most to her and her community. And though thousands of miles separate her from her homeland, Nora continues to infuse her culture into her role as a cook at the University of Notre Dame. 

“I like to make all of my recipes as authentic as they can be. Because of the cultures we get exposed to in my country, we have so many different ways to infuse foods together,” said Hussein. 

“When I am creating recipes, I always use my original ingredients and spices to elevate a dish. Sumac adds a bright tanginess, pomegranate molasses contributes a rich, sweet and sour depth, dukkha adds flavor as a delicious blend of nuts, seeds, and spices, and ras el hanout, a complex, aromatic spice mix, brings warmth. These ingredients aren’t just part of my cooking- they carry the soul of home with them.” 

Over the course of her time on campus, Nora has seen many of her dishes featured on various menus at Rohr’s, the Notre Dame Conference Center, and at events. 

One of her favorite dishes to make is falafel- crispy on the outside, but soft and flavorful on the inside. “These delicious dishes are part of who I am, and I love being able to share them with our guests,” shared Nora. “It makes me feel like I’m bringing a piece of my home to theirs.” 

Going beyond her heritage and passion for cooking, Nora is also inspired to create unique dishes at Notre Dame thanks to the continuous belief and encouragement from her colleagues. 

“Chef Calvin and Chef Peter encourage me to try new things outside of my comfort zone, allow me to provide input, and give me a chance to create new dishes for the menu because they believe in what I do. I enjoy trying new recipes and learning new ideas from other cultures, too,” said Hussein. “I’m really fortunate to work for a great University and to work with chefs who honor my beliefs and culture.”