Dried lime or Noomi Basra, as it is called in Iraq, and Loomi Omani elsewhere, is a very popular ingredient in the cuisine of the Gulf countries and Iran.  They can be added to savory soups and stews while simmering to impart an earthy citrus flavor, or they can be made into a tart, refreshing tea, as seen here today.

Noomi Basra Tea
Yields 3 cups

3 cups water
1 noomi basra

In a saucepan, bring the water to a boil.

While the water is heating, break the noomi in half and remove all of its seeds.  Be sure that every seed is removed or the tea will be very bitter.

Once the water has come to a boil, turn the heat down to very low and add the noomi.  Allow to steep for 3-4 minutes.  

To serve, strain the tea and add sugar to taste if you wish.

I come with a gift.  A peace offering.  My absence was not intentional.  A little thing called life- life behind the screen- had me overwhelmingly busy.  From being very sick, to sick family, a birthday, the birth of my niece (welcome, baby Batoul!), and some other good but significant family changes as well as the daily busyness that come with being a mom to little kids.  Wow.  It was a lot to take in in only two weeks.

But I wanted to be here.  So now I am finally back, and I feel like I need to bring something special.  This cake is the kind of thing I would bring to a friend who I haven't seen in awhile.  Something simple and comforting that we could eat at the kitchen table with a cup of coffee while we catch up.

“[Breadbaking is] one of those almost hypnotic businesses, like a dance from some ancient ceremony. It leaves you filled with one of the world’s sweetest smells…there is no chiropractic treatment, no Yoga exercise, no hour of meditation in a music-throbbing chapel. that will leave you emptier of bad thoughts than this homely ceremony of making bread.”

M. F. K. Fisher (1908-1992)
‘The Art of Eating’

Beans are a great vegetarian, budget-friendly source of protein, vitamins, and minerals.  They can kind of be a hassle to prepare, though, unless you buy them from a can.  However, using canned beans is more expensive, less healthy, and they don't always taste fresh.  Beans from a can usually have a lot of sodium, and they have not been soaked prior to cooking.  Why is this bad?

Soaking has some major benefits!