Ilhan Mohamed Abdi on Food, Faith & Fasting

Ilhan Mohamed Abdi joins host Samuel Goldsmith to talk about food, faith and family through the lens of her new cookbook, The Ramadan Kitchen. From Somali rice and samosas to crispy salt-and-vinegar crisps and homemade pizza, Ilhan shares the dishes that shaped her childhood, the traditions behind Ramadan cooking, and why food should always feel welcoming rather than intimidating. They discuss what Ramadan really means beyond fasting, how different cultures celebrate through food, and why experimenting in the kitchen matters more than authenticity. Ilhan also reveals the recipe that made her famous online, the bread recipe she was desperate to perfect and the Somali comfort food she’d choose as her ultimate death row meal.

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