Ever since I was in college I prioritized travel. I had a savings account where I would sock away any extra money from my work, watch it grow over the months and years, and then use that money to fuel my globetrotting dreams. I didn’t care about designer bags, shoes or clothing, expensive jewelry, etc–what…… Continue reading I Came Home from Spain Craving This Comfort Food
Category: baking
High Protein TAHINI PISTACHIO Cookies: BARAZEK
Some cookies are trendy and others become part of a culture–I really think Barazek belongs firmly in the second category. Covered in a shimmering blanket of toasted sesame seeds on one side and crowned with pistachios on the other, Barazek is one of the most recognizable cookies of the Levant. Whether enjoyed in Nablus, Damascus,…… Continue reading High Protein TAHINI PISTACHIO Cookies: BARAZEK
Eating Edible Art On My Birthday: A Review of Craftsmen & Wolves
There’s something quietly magical about celebrating a birthday not with a single oversized cake—but with a collection of miniature ones, each crafted with its own story. Lately with the doomsday news cycle, I have adopted a “you only live once” mentality–I have never done anything like this before. Instead of a big-box bakery or supermarket…… Continue reading Eating Edible Art On My Birthday: A Review of Craftsmen & Wolves
Armenian Easter Cookies: A Taste of Home That Travels Across Generations
There is this magical moment when Armenian Easter cookies come out of the oven, the entire kitchen changes. Immediately, you smell that buttery, slightly sweet, and unmistakably scent of MAHLEB, a signature bakery spice of the middle east. Mahleb spice is made from the pits of wild cherries that are ground up, giving a marzipan…… Continue reading Armenian Easter Cookies: A Taste of Home That Travels Across Generations
Nan-e Berenji: A Cookie, A Culture, A Quiet Moment in a Noisy World
There’s something almost unexpected about the first bite of Nan-e Berenji. The crumb doesn’t hit you with sweetness the way most western cookies do. No 1000 calorie Crumbl cookie here! Instead, the cookie is delicate, fragrant, and soft in a way that feels almost ethereal. Made with rice flour instead of wheat, these traditional Persian…… Continue reading Nan-e Berenji: A Cookie, A Culture, A Quiet Moment in a Noisy World
The Internet Destroyed the Viral Japanese “Cheesecake”…Let’s Fix It
Hello Friends! Happy Valentine’s Day, I have a little treat for you! Sometimes food fads are just too fun not to pass up. I know this is a Middle Eastern food blog, but the viral Japanese cheesecake took the world by storm and I just couldn’t ignore it. This dessert felt light, simple, and actually…… Continue reading The Internet Destroyed the Viral Japanese “Cheesecake”…Let’s Fix It
Mussakhan Wellington: Palestinian Village Food Gets A Fancy Glow Up
Let’s face it: special occasions have gotten ridiculously expensive. Everyone is broke. A “romantic dinner out” now somehow costs about the same as a small appliance, and all you really wanted was good food, a candle, and not to be rushed out after 90 minutes. Don’t get me started on the “Valentine’s Menu” where the…… Continue reading Mussakhan Wellington: Palestinian Village Food Gets A Fancy Glow Up
Persian Love Cake: Bake Love Not War
Iran is often talked about negatively in headlines, but Iranian culture has always spoken in poetry, hospitality, fragrance, and food. Persian cuisine is generous, thoughtful, and deeply symbolic. To cook with their ingredients and flavors is to participate quietly in something much older than politics. Enter the Persian Love Cake. Rooted in folklore and celebrating…… Continue reading Persian Love Cake: Bake Love Not War
The Holiday Palestinian Pudding I Wait to Eat Every December
As soon as December hits every year, I know it is Burbara time. Burbara represents my favorite childhood comforts in a bowl: The nutty and chewy wheatberries become creamy and velvety from the addition of chickpea powder (which tastes like toasted tahini) . Warming spices like cinnamon, anise, and fennel are symbols of warmth and…… Continue reading The Holiday Palestinian Pudding I Wait to Eat Every December
BLACK FRIDAY EXCLUSIVE!
My limited-edition “Feast in the Middle East” cookbook is officially on Black Friday sale between now and December 15— and there are fewer than 275 copies left! 😱📚 To get your copy, click on this LINK If you’ve been wanting to bring the aromas of sumac, za’atar, pomegranate, and rose water into your kitchen… this…… Continue reading BLACK FRIDAY EXCLUSIVE!