About Jamil Ghar

Welcome,

We’re Tressa and Shariq, the husband and wife team behind Jamil Ghar – a website focused on sharing healthy international recipes for everyday cooking.

Shariq handles the development and functionality of our website, whereas I develop the recipes, take the pictures, and lend my voice to Jamil Ghar.

A picture of Tressa and Shariq Jamil for the about page.

Tressa’s Story

I didn’t grow up knowing how to cook. The truth is, most of my meals came straight from a box. I guess that qualifies me as a self-taught chef, and if I can learn how to cook, so can you!

My passion for cooking began while working in small, locally-owned restaurants in high school and college. Rubbing shoulders with some of the best, I learned many fundamental skills to help me around the kitchen. As a recipe developer and food blogger, I share that knowledge through helpful kitchen tips and tasty recipes.

I have a deep appreciation for global cuisine and food stories. Part of this comes from growing up in the Southwest, where I learned from many of my Hopi and Navajo friends. Sharing meals and cooking with them exposed me to new recipes, like savory mutton stew and blue corn mush. Their teaching about food’s role in community and family relationships inspired my curiosity.

Later, I became a pastor for international students for over a decade. I continued to learn about other cultures while cooking alongside my students to prepare meals that reminded them of home. Now, I cook with my mother-in-law (ami), who expertly prepares authentic Indian and Pakistani recipes while allowing me to put my unique spin on them.

I hope to honor my teachers by sharing what I’ve learned. I want to empower home cooks (and beginners) to prepare healthy, satisfying meals that draw from global cuisine.

Want to hear more about my start as a food blogger? Check out my most recent podcast episode with Mealtime Magic and Mayhem.

Where Have You Seen Me Before?

I was a semi-finalist in the Favorite Chef Contest, benefitting the James Beard Foundation.
Cornell University featured my recipe for garam masala on their website for International Week.
I regularly contribute to Foodgawker, Reddit, Pinterest, and Samsung Food (Whisk).
Listen to me share my food blogging journey on podcasts like Mealtime Magic and Mayhem.
My recipes are shared on MSN, Paperblog, Yellow Thyme, Picky Eater Blog and Copy Me That. And my Moroccan meatballs were the inspiration for one of Jono Elderton’s recipes over at 12 Tomatoes.

Fun Facts About Me

During my younger years, I lived in a small town called Bullfrog with a population of about 200 people. Now, when I make a tasty meal my husband often jokes and says something, “okay Bullfrog!”
I pretended to have a chocolate allergy growing up so I didn’t have to explain to people that I didn’t like chocolate.
I am not a perfectly curated home chef. Instead, you will find me in my kitchen with an oversized band shirt singing 90’s music as I cook.
I could eat salad every day of my life and never tire of it.

What You’ll Find on my Blog

Healthy and nourishing meals for a well-balanced diet, with recipes for those with allergies and specialty diets.

International recipes with a focus on Pakistani, Indian, and Middle Eastern cuisine.

Life is busy, and as a business owner and mom, I need quick dinner ideas for everyday cooking. You will find quick air fryer recipes, meals for the Instant Pot, and meal prep ideas for those who enjoy planning ahead.

Keep in Touch

Comment on My Posts: I enjoy hearing your feedback on my recipes and how you personalize them, and make them your own.
Social Media: Follow me on Instagram, check out my Facebook page, and see what I’m sharing on Pinterest and Samsung Food (Whisk).
Shoot Me an Email: Reach out to me directly at Tressa Jamil.
Get Free Recipes: You can sign up to have my recipes emailed right to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

How did you come up with the name?

My website name has humble origins. I began my blog as a way to share recipes with family and friends during the lockdown in 2020.

At the time, I had no intention of sharing my recipes with the world, so I quickly told my husband to use our wifi name. Yep, you heard that right, our wifi.

Jamil is our last name, and it means beautiful in Arabic. Ghar is an Urdu word for home. And that is what I hope you feel when you make one of our recipes – a sense of home.