Savor the Flavor: Al Karma Kitchen empowers women through Desserts

A Saturday well spent to say the least. Oz and I dropped off little Hana (see what I did there? It used to be Baby Hana, now its little Hana since we’re expecting another) and headed off to a tour to Al Karma Kitchen in Jabal Al Natheef.

The catering business is a community initiative by the Jordan River Foundation, since 2006, and aims to teach women how to bake, cook, and prepare delicious meals, in addition to how to run a catering company.

With Eid around the corner, it was only fair to have Um Alaa speak to us about the process of making the Mamoul’s for Eid. She was among the first to join the initiative and is now a head chef at the kitchen. Um Alaa hires women from the neighborhood and gives them the full A-Z on cooking, baking, catering, hygiene standards, running a business, and has them join the team! What a wonderful way to empower women in less privileged communities and to help them raise much needed money for their families as well. Today, Al Karma Kitchen produces an annual supply of 7 tons of Ma’amoul alone enjoyed during the holidays.

The taste of homemade Mamoul’s is like no other, trust me – I have had them over the course of the last two years at home and our guests have enjoyed them as well. Flaky, buttery, and just right with various fillings inclusive of the traditional dates, pistachios, and walnuts  – you can also enjoy exotic flavors of fig or peach filling.

You cannot go wrong with their Macaroons either, the Macaroons come with an Arabian flavor, and you really must try their Tea-Cookies, literally shaped like Tea Bags and served in flavors of Anise, Cinnamon, and Ginger, the variety is dipped in dark chocolate and is to die for (I wish I had a picture, for someone who is off caffeine, I devoured the entire box over a cup of sugared green tea last night as I wrote this blog post, the crumbs leaving small evidence behind of the culinary crime I’ve committed against those cookies).

By ordering from Al Karma Kitchen, you support the foundations aim to Improve the socio-economic status of the underprivileged, and upgrade skills of local communities and community-based organizations.

Order yours from Al Karma kitchen today 0787745660. Last day to place order for Eid Mamoul’s is Monday the 28^th of August. Kol Saneh ou Into Salmeen!