Khubz Linda

It apppears that our hostess was holding an important dinner for important relatives or other guests. Our hostess, the Hajjah, was flustered by the work required to prepare the smorgasbord that she had planned. As is often the case when undertaking a massive task under a short deadline and great stress, the smaller details are often overlooked. In this case, the moistress of the house forgot to buy any bread, and she only realized this at a time when the corner store had closed. There were other stores, of course, but there was no car to get there.

Enter mom, who offered to make biscuits. In despair, El-Hajjah accepted. As you know, biscuits must be eaten hot, so mom waited until the guests were seated before putting the biscuits in the oven. When the round, unelegant cylinders of hot dough emerged, the Hajjah was less than impressed, and she could not help but show it. The attitude was good-naturedly picked up by the guests, who treated the biscuits with utter disdain as they ate tray after tray of them (mom had to make at least three large batches, the demand was so high).

The next day, mom returned from college to find that there were a number of calls from women who had been at the dinner, insisting on getting the recipe for.

It appears that the recipe was copied many times over. So many times, in fact, that I have heard at least once that it might have become integrated into Tunisian cuisine.

If you are ever in Tunisia, and if you are ever offered "Khubz Linda," feel free to smile, for you now know the origin of the bread, but your host or hostess may not.

P.S.: Please see amendment to yesterday's post.