Childhood summers spent at my grandmother’s home in Bethlehem, Palestine meant playing among trees brimming with sun ripened fruit. I spent hours climbing trees, observing busy fire ants, kicking a ball around with my sister, and feeding the chirping baby chicks my grandmother bought us from the market. We were surrounded by trees bursting with…… Continue reading Mabrousheh: Middle Eastern Streusel Jam Bars
Category: baking
The Ultimate Grilled Pita Sandwich- Arayes!
Let me give you a visual of one of my camping trips from childhood in Blue Lake, California. Imagine a large campground next to the lake. The sky is a deep blue, pink, and crimson red at sunset. My father fires up the grill, then retreats to a lawn chair, tabla in hand playing some…… Continue reading The Ultimate Grilled Pita Sandwich- Arayes!
Homemade Ice Cream That’ll Make You Melt!
Hello Friends, Hope you’re enjoying your summer! Ice cream season is in full swing at my house, however, every year I end up with the same pattern. My kids, nieces and nephews all get the hankering for ice cream. I go to the supermarket to see if I can get something for them on the…… Continue reading Homemade Ice Cream That’ll Make You Melt!
Mamma Vera is Back- for Our Tahini Taste Test & Review!
You might think that a product like sesame paste, or tahini tastes the same across the board no matter the brand. But in truth, tahini is as varied as any other product. For instance, you know that Jiffy peanut butter is going to taste completely different from Justin’s brand, which has far fewer ingredients. Sadly there…… Continue reading Mamma Vera is Back- for Our Tahini Taste Test & Review!
Summer Desserts with Fruits at Peak Season!
While a lot of people are dashing around on July fourth trips or vacations, I am staying home this year. I plan on making this holiday extra special for my family so they don’t experience FOMO, or Fear of Missing Out. One of the ways I do this is by planning a special July Fourth…… Continue reading Summer Desserts with Fruits at Peak Season!
The Breakfast You Didn’t Know you Needed
What do you think of when you think of comfort food? A plate of french toast that is crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside? Maybe a piece of warm fruit pie with a scoop of rich ice cream? If that is your definition of deliciousness, then you are in for an easy…… Continue reading The Breakfast You Didn’t Know you Needed
Sunday Meal Prep with Me, Plus I Danced with the Stars!
Hello Friends! Hope you are enjoying the signs of spring! For me the clear sign of spring is I literally have cute bunny rabbits hopping around my neighborhood, their cute fluffy white tails disappearing in the bushes every time I come near them on my random walks. These walks are my only downtime these days,…… Continue reading Sunday Meal Prep with Me, Plus I Danced with the Stars!
Chef Samir is Back: Palestinian Musakhan Chicken
Some of you might remember Chef Samir when I had him on my channel 2 years ago, visiting his restaurant called Beit Rima and sampling his modern yet homey take on Arab dishes. Many of you asked that we collaborate once more, and I found a perfect excuse to invite him back for National Arab…… Continue reading Chef Samir is Back: Palestinian Musakhan Chicken
MARBLED Easter Cookies in Minutes!
Hello Friends! Easter preparations are well underway in our family, and if you have been following my blog for a while, you know this is Mamoul time! These semolina date ring cookies usher in the beginning of spring, Jesus’s resurrection, and in the Muslim world, Ramadan, which is happening right now as well. If you…… Continue reading MARBLED Easter Cookies in Minutes!
Dramatic Dessert: Wine Poached Pears!
Growing up eating a Middle Eastern/Mediterranean diet, the primary dessert in my family was fruit, perhaps with a side of cheese. During hot summer days my mother took breaks from cooking to give us a dinner of fruit, cheese, and bread–usually grapes or watermelon with farmer’s cheese. She would apologize that the house was too…… Continue reading Dramatic Dessert: Wine Poached Pears!