The deliciousness of milk and honey is the reflection of the pure heart: from that heart the sweetness of every sweet thing is derived.
Rumi
Please find below a healing recipe from the Holy City of Mecca, Golden Milk -Turmeric Cinnamon Milk. This was sent to me by a Meccan Poetess Ni’mah Ismail Nawwab. We are truly spoiled by her. All photographs are by Ni’mah Ismail Nawwab herself. Several Days back, Ni’mah told me about this recipe in such a way that I felt I had to share it with you. Her recipe has the power to ignite change, to make me go into my kitchen and try it for my self.
It was morning time, she went into her garden. She loved her garden. She loved the peace and quiet and the melodious voices of birds in her garden. She loved the greenery and the trees that swayed with the faint cool breeze. The air of Mecca was tinged with something of winter and something of coming spring. It was a mystery. You simply couldn’t name it. This city of Hijaz had come a long way from vast barren land with scorching temperatures to a flourishing trade center of the country with unpredictable temperatures that often surprised you and amused you at the same time.
She simply loved her garden and all it had to offer. She loved to stroll through her garden with grass and flowers. This was her peace sanctuary as she called it. It was a place for her to walk in morning and at night and enjoy the beauty. She often stopped and smelled her favorite flowers. The scents in the morning were different from the scents at night. She looked around enjoying the moment and didn’t move for a while. The different shades of green in her garden ranging from light to a dark mottled green reminded her of the dome over the grave of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and his precious mosque covered in green carpets.
Oh how the Dome gave different shades of green in the ever changing sunlight. During those sunny mornings and pleasant evenings, as you walk to the mosque, you must have noticed the lush green color of green so pleasing to the eye, and yet the differences do you spy? It was all so incredible.
She walked into her kitchen. Today She was going to treat herself to Golden Milk- the very name filled her heart with Golden light. If a mere thought of consuming such beverage filled her heart with such light, imagine the wonders it will do to the body and soul?
She looked around her beautiful kitchen. Her goal was to create a sense of peace in her kitchen. She wanted people to walk into it and leave everything behind. She wanted people to enjoy the joys and pleasures of sharing a meal. She wanted them to feel transformed by its blessings. And she had succeeded. Walls and Shelves were adorned with precious pieces of gifts from across God’s land.
Here many years were spent cooking for the dear family and dear guests, especially during the Holy month of Ramadan. A unique and exotic set of recipes from around the world were tried and tested in this kitchen. Each recipe had a story to tell. Preparing meals was not just a matter of throwing something together. Spices and herbs had to be ground up with mortars and pestles. And this was the reason why she often saw the validity of endeavors in the resultant dishes. Indeed it nurtured the souls of many visitors and family members. The silver ware was lifted carefully to their mouths, to enjoy the blessed and delicious food.
She smiled in anticipation and began preparing the delicious healing drink with ancient healing ingredients that proved effective even today.
Oh the blessed Turmeric- one of the world’s most important herb. Named “Kanchani,” or literally “Golden Goddess,” in the ancient Indian healing tradition.
Milk (لبن) mentioned four times in the Holy Book of God as a sign of creation, very good for bones and the most excellent source of calcium.
Cinnamon one of the powerful spices with its delicious wafting aromatic scents. The magic mixture of honey and cinnamon is known for hundreds of years for their miraculous curing power.
Blessed Honey to sweeten the beverage and to make it even more golden.
“And Your lord inspired the bee, to build your dwellings in hills, on trees, and in (human’s) habitations. Then, to eat of all the produce and follow the ways of your Lord made easy. There comes forth from their bodies a drink of varying color, wherein is healing for men: Verily, in this is a sign for those who give thought.”
Golden Milk -Turmeric Cinnamon Milk
Method:
Boil the water.
Then add 1/2 cup milk and 1/2 tablespoon turemric.
Stir and cook for a few minutes.
Pour into cup and add a little honey according to taste.
She gazed out her kitchen window at the bird nest, her heart said Alf al Hamd and her body thanked her profusely for such servitude.
