For the Love of Food & Travel
by Quraisha
28 January 2026
Peace and blessings to you.
My name is Quraisha, and quite simply, out of my love for food and travel, I decided, why don’t I blog about it? It also feels like the perfect time in my life to do so, as I finally have plenty of me time.
I plan on visiting most of the Global South, North, East, and West with my husband, although he has absolutely no idea about this plan at the moment. But don’t worry, he’ll find out at the appropriate time. Lol.
Over the years, Omar and I have travelled to Asia, Europe, and South America, as well as several countries on our own continent, Africa. Each journey has been unique and has always left me wanting to explore more.
Last year, Omar and I travelled to the Middle East for Umrah, and it was truly exceptional. We completed the trip independently, without a tour group or agent, very doable and incredibly pleasant. Our previous Umrah was in 2013 with our children, my mum and dad (my father has since passed, May Allah Ta’Allah reward him with the highest level of Jannah Firdous Aameen), as well as my sister, her husband, and their children. That trip remains deeply memorable for so many reasons.
Returning after 12 years, we witnessed major changes in Makkah and Madinah. Yet, despite all the modern development, the heart of the journey remains unchanged. The Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah (peace be upon him) will always be the main attraction—places that leave you feeling spiritually fulfilled while simultaneously yearning to return again and again.
I have shared a detailed write-up titled “My Umrah 2025 Trip” on this blog, which includes some very special footage. It also offers helpful hints and tips for anyone planning their first visit—or returning after a long break—to the Holy Lands.
Food for the Soul & Our Journey to the Hereafter
As much as this blog celebrates food and travel in the physical sense, it is equally about nourishment for the soul and the journey we are all on toward our ultimate destination.
As Muslims, we believe this life is temporary, a journey rather than a destination. We are travellers on this Earth, and the way we live our lives determines where we will end up in the Hereafter. Every intention, every action, every word, and every choice we make becomes part of that journey.
Just as our bodies need food to function, our souls need nourishment too. Faith, gratitude, patience, kindness, and reflection are the sustenance of the heart. Without them, we may be physically full yet spiritually empty.
Travel, in this sense, is not only about crossing borders or discovering new places. It is also about moving closer to Allah, learning from the world He has created, and allowing each experience to shape us into better versions of ourselves. When we travel with awareness, we begin to see His signs in the mountains, oceans, people, cultures, and even in moments of hardship and ease.
This blog is a space where physical journeys meet spiritual ones — where food feeds the body and reflection feeds the soul. A reminder that while we explore this world, we must never forget our final destination, and that living with purpose, humility, and sincerity is what ultimately prepares us for it.
Then there is the other great love of my life – FOOD.
My fascination with good food and its preparation actually began quite late. As a child and teenager, food wasn’t a big deal to me. Eat to live would best describe my mindset. The kitchen was not a place I spent much time in (my mum will attest to this haha), and I showed little interest in cooking—or even eating. Completely oblivious to the incredible smells and flavours around me, I would happily trade a home-cooked meal for a packet of chips eaten in bed.
How foolish I was – As I grew older……. I grew wiser.
Cooking for my family became enjoyable, and I slowly developed a deep interest in gastronomy. I realised that making good food and enjoying delicious meals was also about bringing family together. Any outing, whether a day trip, a short holiday, or even a simple get-together, was always centred around food. Ramadan and the days of Eid became opportunities to experiment with exciting new dishes, alongside legendary family favourites like breyanis and seafood delights.
Food channels soon became a source of inspiration, motivating me to learn more. Through food, I learnt about people, cultures, and places and this naturally fuelled my passion for travel. I watched food shows the way others binge their favourite series, following chefs and home cooks whose styles and tips I admired. To this day, I still snip fresh herbs directly into my pot with a kitchen scissors instead of chopping them on a board, courtesy of a certain Nigella.
I truly believe the best way to understand cultures, people, and places is to experience them firsthand. The art of food preparation and the origins of ingredients, began to intrigue me deeply. I started reading books and articles about spices and ingredients I loved most and even completed a few online quizzes and courses. The certificates may not be worth the paper they’re printed on, but to me, they symbolised how much I had learnt through self-study.
Shows like MasterChef also inspired me, watching contestants constantly challenge themselves to create show-stopping dishes. Different cultures bring different flavours, and as I experimented with spices, the foundation of flavour, I learnt to balance salt, sour, and sweet. When all three harmonise in a single dish without overpowering one another, that’s when my confidence truly grew.
Cooking became a journey of self-exploration. Along the way, I discovered the origins, uses, and pairings of spices. My children even began to notice my habit of favouring certain spices, what they jokingly called the “spice of the month.” Fennel was one such favourite; I adored its aniseed flavour and used it generously, until I learnt how easily it can dominate a dish.
Cooking continues to evolve, and there is always something new to learn.
Spices, Travel & Sensory Journeys
After a trip to Turkey in 2018, I returned home with an overwhelming collection of spices. Turkish spices, unlike those from India or Pakistan, are not heat-based, they are uniquely suited to Turkish cuisine. Their teas, too, are floral, aromatic, and wonderfully unusual.
A visit to a spice farm in Zanzibar (2015) left me completely awestruck. It was a journey where all five senses, sight, smell, touch, taste, and even sound, came together to create an unforgettable experience. The locals guided us with pride and deep knowledge. You could smell the spices before seeing them. As we walked along, a familiar, heady aroma filled the air, and I knew instantly we were standing near a cinnamon tree.
Tasting freshly cut cinnamon bark was sensational. Biting into a peppercorn, fiery yet incredibly fresh, was unforgettable. Clove and nutmeg trees were equally fascinating. We were also treated to freshly picked fruits, coconuts, mangoes, jackfruit, melons, and more, making the spice farm visit the highlight of Zanzibar for me.
It’s easy to understand why spices were once as valuable as gold. Entire islands were bought and sold for them. Vanilla, saffron, and pepper are just a few that changed the course of history.
What to Expect on This Blog
This blog will feature a dedicated recipe segment from a collection I’ve been compiling over the last five to six years. Whenever I came across a dish I wanted to try, I made a note. Some recipes are adapted to suit my taste, some are entirely my own, and others are treasured family favourites.
My hope is to one day put this collection into print and gift it to my loved ones as a keepsake, perhaps they’ll even use it haha.
I also plan to share popular dishes, experiment with videos, and publish a “Spices of the World” series, covering countries such as Egypt, Morocco, India, and Jamaica. I’ll share my personal take on how and when to use spices, and how to prepare them at home for the freshest flavours.
This Blog is a strictly halal space, grounded in mutual respect between reader and blogger. I would love to hear your thoughts on food and travel, especially if you’ve visited places where the cuisine was as memorable as the destination. This blog is linked to my Instagram, X, and Facebook, and I’ll do my best to answer questions or share helpful resources.
As I end this post, I’m excited to share some wonderful news: Alhamdulilah – Omar and I are incredibly grateful to be performing Umrah again in March 2026, this time with our beloved family. I can’t wait to share more, from accommodation and sightseeing to where to find delicious food.
Until next time,
“Savour the moment & chase the flavour.”
