Tekebash and Saba: Recipes from the Horn of Africa

This cookbook is a tribute to Tekebash Gebre, my mother, who was born in Tigray and lived under a communist regime before fleeing to Sudan. It chronicles our migration journey and celebrates our connection through her simple, vibrant dishes.

Format: Hardback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 14 March 2023
Publisher: Murdoch Books

From Tigray to the world, a love story through food.

This is not your regular cookbook. The recipes are a legacy of Tekebash Gebre, my extraordinary mother. Tekebash was born in Tigray, under the rule of the last Ethiopian emperor. She lived under a communist regime before fleeing to Sudan. Since then, we have been on a migration journey, from Aksum to Khartoum to Melbourne and beyond. Our hearts, however, will forever be Tigrayan, and through Tekebash's simple, vibrant dishes, we celebrate a connection that won't be broken.

It has been my privilege to translate and record what Tekebash cooked by taste, touch, and memory for several years in our Melbourne restaurant. It's our story, and it's my tribute. But it will also resonate with anyone who knows the unceasing pull of a distant homeland and the comfort of its food.

Tekebash's journey began in Tigray, a region rich in culture and tradition. She grew up in a small village, surrounded by the beauty of the Ethiopian Highlands. Her family was poor, but they were always able to put food on the table. Tekebash learned to cook from her mother and grandmother, who taught her the secrets of traditional Ethiopian cuisine.

As a young woman, Tekebash was determined to make a better life for herself and her family. She left Tigray and traveled to Sudan, where she worked as a nurse. It was a difficult journey, but Tekebash was determined to succeed. She worked long hours and saved every penny she could earn.

After several years in Sudan, Tekebash decided to make another migration journey. She traveled to Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, where she worked as a cook in a local restaurant. It was a challenging job, but Tekebash was determined to learn as much as she could about cooking.

As time went on, Tekebash's cooking skills became more and more renowned. She was known for her simple, yet flavorful dishes that were full of spices and herbs. Her customers loved her food, and she soon became a popular figure in the Khartoum culinary scene.

One day, Tekebash met a man named Ali. Ali was from Melbourne, Australia, and he was visiting Khartoum on business. He was immediately drawn to Tekebash's cooking and her warm personality. They started dating, and soon Tekebash decided to move to Australia with Ali.

It was a difficult decision, but Tekebash was determined to make a new life for herself and her family. She left Khartoum and traveled to Melbourne, where she opened a small restaurant. It was a risky venture, but Tekebash was confident in her cooking skills and her ability to succeed.

The restaurant was a huge success. Tekebash's dishes were loved by her customers, and she soon became known as the "Queen of Ethiopian Cuisine" in Melbourne. She was invited to cook at prestigious events and restaurants, and her cooking was featured in magazines and newspapers.

But Tekebash's journey was not without its challenges. She missed her family and friends in Tigray, and she often felt homesick. She also struggled to adapt to a new culture and language.

Despite these challenges, Tekebash never lost her passion for cooking. She continued to create new dishes and experiment with different ingredients and flavors. She also used her cooking to connect with her customers, sharing her story and her love for Tigray.

One day, Tekebash received a call from her daughter, who was living in Tigray. Her daughter had been diagnosed with a serious illness, and Tekebash was desperate to help. She traveled back to Tigray, where she spent several months caring for her daughter.

It was a difficult time for Tekebash, but she was grateful for the opportunity to be with her family. She also realized that her cooking had brought her closer to her family, even though they were thousands of miles away.

When Tekebash returned to Melbourne, she was determined to continue her cooking journey. She opened a second restaurant, which was even more successful than the first. She continued to share her love for Tigray through her cooking, and her customers were always eager to try her latest creations.

In conclusion, Tekebash's journey from Tigray to the world is a testament to the power of food to connect people and bridge gaps. Her recipes are a legacy of her love for her homeland and her determination to make a better life for herself and her family. Through her cooking, Tekebash has shared her story with the world, and her dishes have brought joy and comfort to countless people.

I hope that you will enjoy Tekebash's recipes and that they will inspire you to explore the rich and diverse flavors of Ethiopian cuisine.

Weight: 896g
Dimension: 197 x 248 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781922351821