Refugee Action Big Night In project: Esam from Kurdistan standing proudly behind his finished Dolma and stuffed vegetables   Today we were joined in the kitchen by Esam who shared a recipe from his homeland for our upcoming Refugee Action Big Night In on the 2nd May! Join us for the voting this Thursday 26th Feb to help pick the recipe you'd like to see in the final menu! We're supporting Refugee Action as we've always been aware how much we've benefited as a business and as a country from the contribution refugees have made - find out more about our charity partnership HERE.   DAY 6 - Esam's Dolma and stuffed vegetables Esam's Dolma (stuffed vine leaves) and rice stuffed veg from his native Kurdistan was a fascinating meal full of Middle Eastern flavours such as cumin, cinnamon, green cardamon and aleppo pepper. Watching this being made was a real treat with some unusual techniques on display such as the skillful stuffing of the leaves as well as the frying of the salt and spices in oil until almost blackened: “My dish will make you healthy,” he says, “but adding spices makes it delicious.”   Pictorial highlights: The dolma and stuffed vegetables   Esam, Northern Iraq (Kurdistan), (Dolma and stuffed vegetables) Esam grew up with his sisters and parents in Kirkuk, one of North Iraq’s biggest cities.   Kurdish food was a big part of his childhood, and his mum taught him basic cooking skills. But after political unrest, Esam had to leave. “It was the first time I left my family. It was a really difficult decision, but I had no choice. My life was at risk.” Cooking has been a source of comfort to Esam since he fled to the UK.  He volunteers as a chef at local refugee drop-in centres, cooking delicious food for hundreds of people in need.  At The Spicery, he cooked dolma and stuffed vegetables: “My dish will make you healthy,” he says, “but adding spices makes it delicious.” Esam enjoyed cooking at The Spicery. “James and the staff were nice people. I think I spent one of my nicest times there.”  To people buying the Refugee Action Big Night In pack, he says, “If they spend a little money on getting this useful pack from the Spicery, I’m sure they’re going to make themselves happy, and make us safer and happier too.” Take part in the Refugee Action Big Night In on the 2nd May 2015 and help to raise vital funds to support people like Esam who have fled conflict and persecution. *** Join us for the voting next Thursday 26th Feb if you'd like to see Esam's dish in the final menu! Sign-up for your Refugee Action Big Night In box HERE