Cooking has always been my love language. I grew up in an Iraqi-Persian Jewish family, and food was how we celebrated, how we grieved, how we welcomed strangers and how we kept our culture alive across generations and continents. Those flavors, the warm spices, the slow cooked dishes are the foundation of everything I cook.

Growing up, my family’s food was different from most of the Jewish community around us. Seattle’s Sephardic community was made up largely of Jews from the island of Rhodes, with their own beautiful and distinct traditions. I was the kid whose house smelled different, whose Shabbat table looked different. But that community taught me so much. I learned from their recipes, their hospitality and their deep pride in where they came from, and it shaped the way I think about food and heritage to this day.

At Olive Oil & Salt Flakes I share recipes rooted in my Iraqi-Persian Jewish heritage alongside the seasonal, vegetable-forward cooking that has shaped my palate over the years. You’ll find Shabbat and holiday recipes passed down through my family, modern takes on Middle Eastern classics, crunchy salads, stunning vegetable dishes and the occasional indulgent treat. Everything is made with real ingredients, cooked with intention and designed to bring people together around the table.

My hope is that you leave here feeling inspired, whether you’re discovering a new cuisine or finding a new way to love something familiar. Follow along on Instagram for daily recipes and behind the scenes from my kitchen.