We’re Tressa and Shariq, the husband and wife team behind Jamil Ghar, a website focused on sharing tasty international recipes for everyday cooking.
Shariq manages the website’s tech and functionality, while I develop the recipes, take the photos, and lend my voice to the content.
I don’t just love eating, I love sharing meals with others. Food has a way of bringing people together. Whether it’s a cozy family dinner, a casual get-together, or a house full of friends and relatives, gathering around a meal always feels like time well spent.
My Story
I (Tressa) didn’t grow up cooking. Honestly, most of my meals came straight from a box. I guess that makes me 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 the 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 the stories behind food. Growing up in the Southwest, I shared meals with Hopi and Navajo friends., discovering recipes like savory mutton stew and blue corn mush. Their lessons about the role of food in community and family sparked my curiosity and love for culinary traditions.
Later, I spent over a decade as a pastor for international students, learning about their cultures while cooking meals that reminded them of home. Today, I cook alongside my mother-in-law, or 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, empowering home cooks (and beginners) to make delicious meals inspired by global cuisine.
Curious about how I got started as a food blogger? Listen to my latest podcast episode on Mealtime Magic and Mayhem.
Fun Facts About Me
- I grew up in a small town called Bullfrog, with a population of maybe 200. Nowadays, when I make something particularly delicious, my husband jokingly says, “Okay, Bullfrog!”
- As a kid, I pretended to have a chocolate allergy so that I wouldn’t have to explain that I didn’t actually like chocolate.
- I’m not a perfectly curated home chef. You’ll usually find me in the kitchen wearing an oversized tee, singing ’90s hits at the top of my lungs as I cook, but the food is going to taste good.
- I could eat salad every single day and never get tired of it.
Where Have You Seen Me?
- 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 Reddit, Pinterest, and Samsung Food (Whisk).
- My recipes are featured on MSN and Copy Me That. And my Moroccan meatballs were the inspiration for one of Jono Elderton’s recipes over at 12 Tomatoes.
What Will You Find on Jamil Ghar?
Tasty and nourishing meals for a well-balanced diet, with recipes for those with allergies and specialty diets.
International recipes with a special 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 Jamil Ghar?
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.
Can I request a recipe?
Can’t find what you’re looking for? That’s okay! Send your recipe requests to Tressa Jamil.
