Insights on Cooking, Culture and Pregnancy with Zaynab Issa

In our latest Insight Series, we’re stepping into the kitchen with cookbook author, content creator, and mom-to-be Zaynab Issa. Known for her thoughtful approach to cooking across cultures, Zaynab shares how her Khoja heritage shaped her love of food, the inspiration behind her cookbook, Third Culture Cooking, and the simple meals and snacks helping her stay nourished throughout pregnancy. From an indulgent Greek yogurt snack to freezer-friendly meals made for busy days, keep reading for Zaynab’s insights on food, culture, pregnancy, and preparing for motherhood.

What inspired you to start sharing your recipes and meals online?    

I’ve always loved talking about food and see it as a bridge to connect, share, and learn. It started with simply sharing the meals I was eating and dishes from my culture, and eventually evolved into a much more considered approach to cooking and teaching.

What is the story behind Third Culture Cooking? 

My cookbook just highlights my approach. It really is just the way I cook and think about flavors — it’s an inspired approach that centers multiple cultures in one dish, while always making sure to credit those references. 

As a cookbook author and recipe developer, how has your cultural background influenced the way you cook and think about food?  

As a home cook, it has completely informed the foundation of my understanding of technique and flavor. My mother and grandmother fed me throughout my early life, cooking mostly dishes from my Khoja culture. I built upon that foundation during my adolescence through my own interest in food, cooking, and the traditions of other cultures.

Congratulations on your pregnancy! Are there any foods or ingredients that have become unexpectedly important for you during pregnancy, whether for energy, nausea, or general wellbeing?  

Solti ginger shots and Siggi’s greek yogurt pouches helped immensely with first-trimester nausea. I’d have both first thing in the morning with minimal effort on my part, and they really helped get my day off to a good start. I found the nausea got worse on an empty stomach, but it felt impossible to put a meal together with the nausea so feeding myself something quickly with something filling was imperative.

Are there any simple, nourishing snacks or “no effort” foods you’ve relied on during pregnancy to stay well-fed throughout the day?  

My favorite snack was Greek yogurt topped with walnuts, frozen blueberries, and a generous drizzle of honey. The honey freezes over the blueberries, creating the most dreamy, indulgent mouthfeel. It’s quick to put together and has a great balance of textures and flavors.

Looking ahead to postpartum, many new parents struggle with staying well-fed in the fourth trimester. Do you have any freezer-friendly or 20-minute meals that you think every parent should have on hand?  

One of my favorite things to prep and freeze is meatballs. You can flavor them however you’d like, freeze them raw or cooked, and then add them to a pot of jarred tomato sauce (my favorites are Monte’s and Bianco DiNapoli sauces) and let them cook or reheat directly in the sauce while the pasta cooks. Otherwise, rice freezes and reheats so well. I’ll pull some out of the freezer in the morning, warm it in the microwave for lunch or dinner and serve it with a fried egg and some soy sauce and sriracha. Very low effort. 

What’s something about this transition into becoming a mother that has surprised you? 

How surreal it still feels. I anticipated the first couple of days would feel like a whirlwind, but with each day that passes, I still can’t quite believe this is my new reality.

If you had to describe this season in just a few words, what would they be? 

A rewarding transformation.

Zaynab Issa is a cookbook author and content creator whose approach to food celebrates the flavors, techniques, and traditions of multiple cultures. Her cookbook, Third Culture Cooking, brings that perspective to the kitchen through recipes inspired by her own cultural background and a lifelong curiosity about food. Stay connected with Zaynab on Instagram @zaynab_issa (opens in a new tab)and explore more at zaynabissa.com (opens in a new tab).

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