Kitchens of Hope: Immigrants Share Stories of Resilience and Recipes from Home
Culinary journeys from around the globe: recipes and stories from immigrants to the United States

Immigrants carry more than hope as they cross oceans and traverse continents to come to the United States. They hold tightly to stories and recipes, remembrances of what they left behind. Kitchens of Hope brings together these memories from contributors who hail from more than thirty countries, offering a glimpse into their kitchens and insight into their lives. This book is a celebration of people and cuisines from around the world, infused with the aromas of epazote and cardamom, the tang of fish sauce, the heat of chile peppers, and the bite of mustard greens.

With tales as compelling as the brimming bowls and overflowing platters of these foods that represent home, Kitchens of Hope features immigrants coming from vastly varied circumstances. Some arrived in the United States fleeing war and violence, others were seeking education and opportunity; some have called the United States home for years, and others have only recently arrived. Despite the differing situations that brought them here, the contributors all find comfort and tradition as they gather to share meals with family and friends. They are activists and entrepreneurs, parents and community leaders, and some are affiliated with the Minnesota-based nonprofit the Advocates for Human Rights, the organization that inspired the creation of this book.

Structured around the contributors’ personal stories of their journeys, the chapters reflect the main themes connecting them: community, resilience, opportunity, justice, hope, and celebration. In these pages, readers will find inspiration, along with more than fifty recipes, from curry, mole, biryani, and borscht, to pita, pho, sambusa, pupusas, and so much more. Welcome to the Kitchens of Hope table.

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Kitchens of Hope: Immigrants Share Stories of Resilience and Recipes from Home
Culinary journeys from around the globe: recipes and stories from immigrants to the United States

Immigrants carry more than hope as they cross oceans and traverse continents to come to the United States. They hold tightly to stories and recipes, remembrances of what they left behind. Kitchens of Hope brings together these memories from contributors who hail from more than thirty countries, offering a glimpse into their kitchens and insight into their lives. This book is a celebration of people and cuisines from around the world, infused with the aromas of epazote and cardamom, the tang of fish sauce, the heat of chile peppers, and the bite of mustard greens.

With tales as compelling as the brimming bowls and overflowing platters of these foods that represent home, Kitchens of Hope features immigrants coming from vastly varied circumstances. Some arrived in the United States fleeing war and violence, others were seeking education and opportunity; some have called the United States home for years, and others have only recently arrived. Despite the differing situations that brought them here, the contributors all find comfort and tradition as they gather to share meals with family and friends. They are activists and entrepreneurs, parents and community leaders, and some are affiliated with the Minnesota-based nonprofit the Advocates for Human Rights, the organization that inspired the creation of this book.

Structured around the contributors’ personal stories of their journeys, the chapters reflect the main themes connecting them: community, resilience, opportunity, justice, hope, and celebration. In these pages, readers will find inspiration, along with more than fifty recipes, from curry, mole, biryani, and borscht, to pita, pho, sambusa, pupusas, and so much more. Welcome to the Kitchens of Hope table.

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Kitchens of Hope: Immigrants Share Stories of Resilience and Recipes from Home

Kitchens of Hope: Immigrants Share Stories of Resilience and Recipes from Home

Kitchens of Hope: Immigrants Share Stories of Resilience and Recipes from Home

Kitchens of Hope: Immigrants Share Stories of Resilience and Recipes from Home

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Overview

Culinary journeys from around the globe: recipes and stories from immigrants to the United States

Immigrants carry more than hope as they cross oceans and traverse continents to come to the United States. They hold tightly to stories and recipes, remembrances of what they left behind. Kitchens of Hope brings together these memories from contributors who hail from more than thirty countries, offering a glimpse into their kitchens and insight into their lives. This book is a celebration of people and cuisines from around the world, infused with the aromas of epazote and cardamom, the tang of fish sauce, the heat of chile peppers, and the bite of mustard greens.

With tales as compelling as the brimming bowls and overflowing platters of these foods that represent home, Kitchens of Hope features immigrants coming from vastly varied circumstances. Some arrived in the United States fleeing war and violence, others were seeking education and opportunity; some have called the United States home for years, and others have only recently arrived. Despite the differing situations that brought them here, the contributors all find comfort and tradition as they gather to share meals with family and friends. They are activists and entrepreneurs, parents and community leaders, and some are affiliated with the Minnesota-based nonprofit the Advocates for Human Rights, the organization that inspired the creation of this book.

Structured around the contributors’ personal stories of their journeys, the chapters reflect the main themes connecting them: community, resilience, opportunity, justice, hope, and celebration. In these pages, readers will find inspiration, along with more than fifty recipes, from curry, mole, biryani, and borscht, to pita, pho, sambusa, pupusas, and so much more. Welcome to the Kitchens of Hope table.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781517919122
Publisher: University of Minnesota Press
Publication date: 06/17/2025
Pages: 240
Product dimensions: 8.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.49(d)

About the Author

Linda S. Svitak served as a trial lawyer at Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath for thirty-five years. She has volunteered with the Advocates for Human Rights for more than a decade.

Christin Jaye Eaton has been an attorney at Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath for thirty years. Her pro bono service has included cases involving immigrant status. She was introduced to the Advocates for Human Rights through its collaboration with her law firm.

Lee Svitak Dean spent four decades writing about food for the Star Tribune Taste section, including twenty-six years as editor. She is coauthor of The Ultimate Minnesota Cookie Book, also published by the University of Minnesota Press.

Loan Huynh has practiced immigration law for more than twenty years and has volunteered with the Advocates for Human Rights since 1996, currently serving on its board. She fled Vietnam in 1975 with her siblings and parents.

Tom Wallace had a long, award-winning career in small-town community journalism before he arrived at the Star Tribune as a photographer and photo editor. He has received national recognition for his food photography in the newspaper’s Taste section.

Table of Contents

Contents

 

Foreword: The Power of One, Loan Huynh

Introduction: The Importance of Stories

The Advocates for Human Rights

 

Kitchens of Community

Doris Parker [Liberia]: Peanut Soup, Cora Parker’s Liberian Rice Bread

José Alarcon [Mexico]: Pozole Rojo (Red Pozole)

Nadya Goncharova [Latvia]: Walnut Cake

Jesus Li [Peru]: Ají de Pollo (Peruvian Chicken)

Gus and Kate Romero [Mexico and Poland]: Mole Verde con Pollo (Green Mole with Chicken), Cabbage Rolls

Emilia Olabisi Fatmata Smith [Sierra Leone]: Coconut Cakes

 

Kitchens of Resilience

Concepción (Conchy) de la Caridad Diaz Morgan [Cuba]: Picadillo

Ingrid Kubisa [Democratic Republic of Congo]: Marinated Tilapia or Mackerel

Hiba Al-Hasnawi [Iraq]: Baba Ghanoush (Smoked Eggplant Dip), Iraqi Chicken Biryani

Maiyia Vang [Hmong]: Hmong Chicken Soup

Blaise Masinga [Democratic Republic of Congo]: Semolina Fufu, Fried Plantains

Ghulam Jamili [Afghanistan]: Uzbek Palaw (Traditional Afghan Pilaf with Meat)

 

Kitchens of Opportunity

Rashmi Bhattachan [Nepal]: Chyau Tarkari (Mushroom Curry with Potatoes)

Sankhu Palubari Community School [Nepal]: Dal Bhat (Lentils and Rice)

Alena Levina [Belarus]: Holodnik (Summer Beet Soup)

Alya Jawaid [United States and Pakistan]: Khichdi (Lentils and Rice), Green Mint Chutney, Cardamom-Infused Tea

Thekla Rura-Polley [Germany]: Lauchtorte (Leek Tart)

Stine Aasland [Norway]: Norwegian Waffles

Margaret McLean [Ukraine]: Pirozhki (Ukrainian Buns with Filling)

 

Kitchens of Justice

Nadia Najarro Smith [Guatemala]: Jocón (Chicken and Tomatillo Stew)

Mehmet Türkoğlu [Turkey]: Menemen (Vegetables with Eggs)

Delgermaa (Deegii) Lkhasuren [Mongolia]: Buuz (Mongolian Dumplings), Russian-Mongolian Potato Salad

Olga Baranova [Russia]: Sheet-Pan Chicken and Potatoes

Verónica Cadavid González [Colombia]: Bandeja Paisa (Colombian Meat Platter) [Hogao (Fried Tomato with Onion), Frijoles Antioqueños (Colombian Beans), Colombian Chicharrón (Pork Belly), Powdered Beef, Colombian Chorizo]

Stephanie Willman Bordat [Morocco]: Chicken Pastilla (Moroccan Chicken Pie), Chicken Couscous with Vegetables

 

Kitchens of Hope

Bridget Chivimbiso Chigunwe [Zimbabwe]: Nyama Ine Muto (Beef Stew), Muriwo Wemubindu (Sautéed Kale), Sadza (Porridge)

Loan Huynh [Vietnam]: Vietnamese Beef Pho (Beef Soup with Noodles)

Halima Mohamed [Somalia]: Sambusas (Fried Pastry with Savory Filling), Basbaas (Green Dipping Sauce)

Haydee [El Salvador]: Pupusas (Filled Corn Cakes), Natural Tomato Sauce, Curtido (Cabbage Slaw)

Yia Vang [Hmong]: Braised Pork with Mustard Greens, Tiger Bite Sauce

 

Kitchens of Celebration

Shereen Fakier [South Africa]: Chicken Samoosas (Fried Pastry with Filling), Amli Chutney (Tamarind Dipping Sauce), Chicken Curry

Omar Guevara-Soto [Mexico]: Tres Leches Cake (Three Milk Cake)

Nazneen Khatoon [India]: Hyderabadi Lamb dum Biryani (Lamb Biryani from Hyderabadi)

Mila [Bosnia]: Spinach, Feta, and Green Onion Pita, Baklava

Tenia Kalogeropoulou [Greece]: Vasilopita (Lucky New Year Cake), Kourabiedes (Greek Christmas Cookies)

Yan Mo [China]: Eight-Treasure Rice Cake

 

Acknowledgments

Resources: Specialty Ingredients and International Markets

For Further Reading

Index

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