Dessert was none other than Nabulsi knafeh, the pride of Nablus: fine strands of kataifi pastry encasing molten, stretchy Nabulsi cheese, soaked in perfumed syrup, and topped with crushed pistachios.
In Hanan’s Words
“Imagine this…” the chef begins. “Palestinians and Israelis come to the table—excited, eager to dig in. But it’s not a negotiation table, it’s a dinner table. A dinner table for what you might call a dysfunctional family, with many flaws and a long list of shortcomings.”
“Palestinian cooking is more than nourishment—it is memory, heritage, identity, carried in every recipe. These dishes are centuries old, passed down by mothers and grandmothers who preserved our story through flavor and tradition, even when the land itself was threatened. Each ingredient is a thread in Palestine’s cultural memory, tying us to home.”
“In Mexico, I’ve found a beautiful similarity: food here too is a vessel of history, resistance, and pride. Just as Palestinians safeguard their roots through dishes like maqlouba or musakhan, Mexicans preserve theirs through mole or tamales. Though far apart, both peoples share the truth that cooking is not only about feeding the body—it is about keeping a nation’s soul alive across time and place.”
“For Palestinians, food and land are inseparable. Food is memory—recipes carried across generations, each dish a story of home, of family, of a land that still lives in taste and tradition. Land is belonging—the olive trees, the fields, the soil itself, anchoring identity and hope, a blessing that sustains both body and spirit.”
“In the kitchen, families gather: grandmothers, mothers, daughters, and grand-daughters side by side, shaping bread, rolling grape leaves, sharing stories. These moments are more than meals—they are rituals of resilience, binding generations together and weaving love into every dish.”
“Together, food and land are not only sustenance, but heritage, resilience, and identity. They are the essence of Palestine, alive in every harvest, every recipe, and every family gathering.”
“We must never give up on peace. I sincerely believe that peace can be achieved with civil, non-violent negotiation and understanding. Conflict can only be resolved when two peoples start thinking of each other as humans—sharing the same rights, the same needs. They need to break bread at the same table. At My Healing Table my hope is that people will feel inspired, connected, united in the face of hatred and discrimination.”
Follow chef Rasheed on Instagram at @hananrasheed
Watch her heartfelt TEDX Talk here
Besides hosting private dinners and catered affairs, Chef Rasheed will present a public event—Palestinian Food and Music: An Afternoon of Collective Healing and Joy—hosted by My Healing Table and DJ Ahmed, in Parque México, Condesa, September 13th, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
