So, a recipe that changed Zina Mortada’s life

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Hard copy from Dagens Nyheter, 2022-03-25 13:38

Original title of the article: https://www.dn.se/mat-dryck/zeina-mourtada-inte-kunde-jag-tro-att-ett-recept-skulle-forandra-mitt-liv/


What is there for dinner? Ask Zina Mortada. Hundreds of thousands of Swedes have read her dinner tips on her blog, follow her on social media, watch her on TV, and use her cookbooks. The path from a housewife to a Swedish mother of food began with a picture of yoghurt balls.

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A blog full of recipes is the focus of Zeina Mortada’s work. Cinnamon cakes are immortalized and posted on Instagram. “It’s part of the fun,” she says.

Photo: Beatrice Luneburg

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Zina Murtaza is often recognized when she is in the grocery store. “I once met a girl who was walking around carrying one of my recipes. I had to help her find bulgur.”

Photo: Beatrice Luneburg

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“This was my mother’s cookbook. I thought it was important not to reveal her secret tricks, but when I write recipes for my blog, I have to tell you how to succeed with the dishes,” says Zina Mortada.

Photo: Beatrice Luneburg

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“There are many who have an opinion on my hijab. Some think I should take it off, others I should tie it properly. But my own style,” says Zina Mortada

Photo: Beatrice Luneburg

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“The best thing in my new life is that everyone is kind all the time,” says Zeina Mortada.

Photo: Beatrice Luneburg

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“Nowadays, don’t depend on TV if you want to hack as a chef. You can build your own platform on social media and make an impact if you have talent,” says Zina Mortada.

Photo: Beatrice Luneburg

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Gustav Johansson runs “Damn good,” a blog about vegetarian food.

Photo: Emil Hofmark

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“I think I filled a void when I first broke in. When I myself wanted to start cooking from the Middle East, West Africa and the Balkans, it was hard to find Swedish recipes. It is completely different now,” says Zina Mortada.

Photo: Beatrice Luneburg

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Zeina Mortada records clips on YouTube with photographer Jimmy Petrie from Nemen Film.

Photo: Beatrice Luneburg

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Photo: Beatrice Luneburg

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Zina Mortada corrects her makeup before recording. “When I plan, shop, fix, photograph and upload pictures, it was like standing on a stage and watching 100,000 people walk in,” she says.

Photo: Beatrice Luneburg

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“When I was on the TV show ‘Thyme, Rooster and Cake’, I didn’t feel like I needed to act anything. Then I was just Zeina cooking good food.”

Photo: Beatrice Luneburg

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Zeina Murtada and her husband Jamil at the launch of Frida Bouazin’s new book. During a series of programs I did on mental health, Zina opened up about her mother’s grief. So close, so cute. That’s how Zina is,” says Frida Posen later.

Photo: Beatrice Luneburg

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Zina Mortada mixes with Linda Marie Nelson and other influencers.

Photo: Beatrice Luneburg

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“There may be days when I think ‘life’s magic would have been so much easier if I didn’t have a veil.’ How liberating would it be to be Matt Tina!” says Zina Mortada.

Photo: Beatrice Luneburg

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Labneh balls in oil.

Photo: Zina Mortada


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