The House That Ghannouj Built
After many months of simmering, we're finally serving.
Dear Reader,
Some creations are born in a flash; a scribbled sketch on a napkin, a scent that stops you in your tracks. Others take their time. They marinate, shapeshift, drag you down rabbit holes and demand entirely new blueprints. Ghannouj has always been the latter.
Today, I'm thrilled to welcome you into the new home of it all:
www.ghannouj.com — our digital hearth.
What began as a candle became a newsletter. Then came the recipes, playlists, book reviews, and a podcast hidden under my kitchen counter. Now, finally, they all live together under one glowing roof.
The Ghannouj Gazette
Still lovingly handwritten (digitally), The Ghannouj Gazette now has its candle-scented nook on the site and it's getting a little more ambitious. What began as a biweekly dispatch is now a weekly newsletter, stitched together from the things I read, watch, eat, light, and obsess over.
Each month, you'll find:
- Creative Profiles – intimate interviews with Arab artists in the diaspora,
- Nook Book Reviews – weekly reflections on books I can't stop thinking about,
- Ghannouj Recommends – a monthly round-up of coup de foudre discoveries across art, travel, design, food, and whatever else made my spine tingle that week.
It's a curated collection of things that have inspired me, made me think, or brought me joy, and I can't wait to share them with you.
Ghannouj À La Carte
The digital supper club that whispers recipes in your ear and music in the background.
Every two weeks, I release a new 3-course seasonal menu — complete with:
- A shopping list
- A mise-en-place guide
- A voice memo (usually post-coffee and mid-daydream)
- A Spotify playlist to match the mood
You can subscribe monthly to receive two editions a month or purchase individual editions à la carte. This means you can choose the content that interests you the most, whether it's a particular recipe, a book review, or a podcast episode. It's all about giving you the freedom to explore and enjoy at your own pace.
It's dinner with a soundtrack, a story, and a hint of ritual.
The Nook Book Review
A soft place for complex thoughts.
Here's where I share what I'm reading, from Ottoman odysseys to deliciously unhinged memoirs. Each review includes a cosy filmed reflection, my marginalia, and occasional dramatic readings of my favourite passages. It's like we're discussing these books over a cup of tea.
Hakawatia (Coming Soon)
Stories that are too good not to be true.
Season One: Sultans of the Crescent This dramatic history podcast, which we're eagerly preparing for you, explores forgotten power, intrigue, and identity, beginning with the rise of the Ottoman throne. It will launch this fall, and a trailer will be coming soon.
This dramatic history podcast explores forgotten power, intrigue, and identity, beginning with the rise of the Ottoman throne. It will launch this fall, and a trailer will be coming soon.
A little drama, a little espionage, and a lot of storytelling.
Spotify Playlists
You'll now find curated playlists throughout the site—soundtracks for cooking, writing, driving through Puglia, or staring into space. I'll update them often with the songs that colour my world, and I can't wait to share these musical journeys with you.
What About the Candles?
Ah, the beginning.
Ghannouj the Candle was where it all started with a flicker of scent and memory that opened the door to something bigger. That single flame has now evolved into a business of its own.
A complete relaunch is coming soon, with new collections, a new name, and the same scent-soaked heart. Stay tuned.
So Why a Website?
Because Ghannouj has grown — from a project to a platform, from a kitchen table to a digital home.
This space is where it all lives now: the stories, the recipes, the rituals, the ideas. Some free, some subscriber-only, all made with care.
It's not perfect, no good home is. But it's open. The door is unlocked.
The table is set.
Come in.
Warmly,
Ghena
Editor-in-Chief, Cook-in-Residence, Candle Whisperer