Dear Saa Nasta Readers,
This week we take a look at a recipe to beat this cold weather, food awards, and an update on the Abandon Biden movement amid the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Sincerely,
Nargis Rahman
A pot of shutki shira (Bangladeshi dried shrimp stew)
Winter days with cold weather are perfect for making soups and stews. While you may be getting your fix of chicken noodle soup or beef stew - here’s another type of stew that is loaded with veggies, umami shrimp, and a blast of flavor from habanero pepper. Shutki shira is usually made with garden fresh veggies during the spring or summer - but it’s something you can enjoy at any time of the year.
You either love it or hate it — since it’s an acquired taste. One of my favorite UK-based Bangladeshi food writers Dina Begum has this recipe for shutki shira. If you give it a try, do let us know!
Also Dina Begum just published her new cookbook, “Made in Bangladesh,” featuring recipes from all six seasons in Bangladesh.
She features 75 recipes for people to learn how to make Bangladeshi food at home.
Eater Detroit releases 2023 Awards
It’s out, the list of top new restaurants to try this year. Included in this list is Paradise Street Eats, the food truck of Paradise Biryani Pointe in Dearborn. The food truck launched last summer, along with several halal food trucks at Belle Isle.
Community News:
Abandon Biden: Last weekend a group of Muslim leaders met together from several states for the Abandon Biden conference, calling on Muslims not to vote for President Biden in the upcoming presidential election. While many voters are saying they are upset with Biden’s response to the Isreal-Hamas conflict, and failure to call for a ceasefire, others are concerned not voting for Biden could have catastrophic results.
Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson signed into law a bill that allows registered voters to request absentee ballots online, rather than in person. The law hopes to remove barriers to voting.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services says there’s time to get your flu, COVID-19, or RSV shot. The flu shot may help prevent symptoms from several respiratory illnesses. People who are young, older adults, or have immunocompromised health should strongly consider getting vaccinated. Find out where here.