Ep 9. Halal from Dearborn

In season 2 episode 9 of Taste the Nation with Padma Lakshmi, titled "Halal from Dearborn," the host travels to Dearborn, Michigan to explore the vibrant and diverse Muslim community and its unique cuisine.

Dearborn is home to the largest concentration of Arab Americans in the United States, and Lakshmi delves into the history and culture of this community through its food. Halal, the Islamic dietary law, plays a central role in the cuisine, and Lakshmi learns about the different interpretations and traditions of halal from local chefs and home cooks.

The episode begins with a stop at Shatila Bakery, a beloved institution in Dearborn known for its Middle Eastern sweets. Lakshmi samples a variety of colorful and intricate desserts, including baklava and Turkish delight, and learns about the importance of sweets in Arab culture.

Next, Lakshmi meets with Chef Reem Assil at her bakery, Reem's California. Assil, who is Palestinian American, explains the significance of baking for her community and shares her take on traditional Palestinian dishes such as manousheh and fatayer.

Lakshmi also visits the Hamido restaurant, where she tries the famous chicken shawarma sandwich and hummus. The family-owned restaurant has been serving the Dearborn community since 1974 and is often frequented by locals and politicians alike.

Throughout the episode, Lakshmi highlights the diversity within the Muslim community and its cuisine. She visits a Yemeni restaurant where she tries meat-heavy dishes like lamb haneeth and learns about the Yemeni coffee tradition. She also meets with a Somali family who shares their version of a popular East African dish called suqaar.

The episode also touches on the challenges faced by Muslim Americans, particularly in light of the current political climate. Lakshmi speaks with community leaders and activists about the importance of representation and acceptance.

As always, Lakshmi's warmth and curiosity shine through in this episode as she celebrates the rich culture and delicious food of Dearborn's Muslim community. "Halal from Dearborn" is a tribute to the resilience and vitality of a often-misunderstood group of Americans.