My Momma's Hands

A collection of Middle Eastern Recipes along with stories of the Childhood Memories that inspired them.

This collection of Middle Eastern recipes was inspired by the childhood memories of my Momma's Cooking. Being told I inherited my mother's hands both physically and in the kitchen, I set out to recreate the recipes of my late mother who immigrated to America with my late father from the Middle East country of Jordan. I was inspired to create this cookbook because of my yearning for the flavors of my childhood. Having lost my mother at an early age, and being told I inherited my mother's hands, both physically and in the kitchen, I set out on a culinary quest to recreate those delectable recipes. After extensive research that comprised of lengthy interviews with relatives who were tutored by my mother in the techniques of creating this authentic, old-world cuisine, and mastering the science of converting to conventional measurements the "finger measuring" methods my mother's generation employed, this unique collection of recipes, and the childhood memories that inspired them, came to life.

Madeline Batayeh Sherman was born and raised in Southwest Detroit to immigrant parents who came to America from the Middle East country of Jordan, seeking a new life in the land of opportunity. Growing up in a large family, she was known to her relatives as "Number 5" in the long line of seven children that consisted of six girls and one boy. Madeline was inspired to create this cookbook because of her yearning for the flavors of her childhood, and after realizing that none of dishes she remembered from her Momma's kitchen were available anywhere. While there were many imposters, nothing came close to those sumptuous tastes and smells. Having lost her mother at an early age, and being told she inherited her mother's hands, both physically and in the kitchen, she set out on a culinary quest to recreate those delectable recipes. After extensive research that comprised of lengthy interviews with relatives who were tutored by her mother in the techniques of creating this authentic, old world cuisine, including the science of converting to conventional measurements the "finger measuring" methods her mother's generation employed, this unique collection of recipes, and the childhood memories that inspired them, came to life. Madeline is a momma herself now, blessed with three sons, KJ, Justin and Michael,a daughter Shatisha and four grandchildren (Jasmine, Kai, Maze, and Codi), who refer to her as "Teta" (Arabic for grandmother). She has been married for over 30+ years to her supportive and very patient husband, Kevin, and runs her thriving family business called Momma Sherms Meals-n-Munchies, where she follows her passion feeding the many people who are now connecting their own special memories to the taste and smell of her food. You can connect with Momma Sherms on her social media platforms, @mommasherms on Instagram, and Momma Sherms Facebook page.