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
Category: Middle Eastern Food
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!
Lebanese Pumpkin Kibbeh- A Legendary Budget Friendly Dish!
Once upon a time during the Roman empire, Lebanese villagers were able to subsist on a dish of pumpkin kibbeh during an imposed famine. The Romans had begun confiscating grain and meat from the villages they passed through in the Levant, leaving families hungry. One wise woman turned to pumpkin to replace lamb in the…… Continue reading Lebanese Pumpkin Kibbeh- A Legendary Budget Friendly Dish!
Discovering Little Palestine: Where Community, Culture, and Flavor Come Alive
When I arrived in Little Palestine for the Arab America Summit, I expected a weekend of panels, performances, and passionate discussions. What I didn’t expect was how deeply this neighborhood would move me. Arab Americans from across the country had gathered to celebrate heritage, identity, and unity, and Little Palestine felt like the heartbeat of…… Continue reading Discovering Little Palestine: Where Community, Culture, and Flavor Come Alive
The Viral Cottage Cheese Wrap — Lebanese Lavash Style (High Protein, Low Carb Recipe)
I’m not the type of person to fall for every fad…, but this one I could not resist! The viral cottage cheese wrap recipe has taken over social media — and for good reason. These wraps are made from only two ingredients (cottage cheese and egg), yet this magical combination creates a soft, flexible wrap…… Continue reading The Viral Cottage Cheese Wrap — Lebanese Lavash Style (High Protein, Low Carb Recipe)
Middle Eastern Grandma-Style Cooking… in IRELAND?!
Hello Dear Friends! Just returned from an unforgettable trip to Ireland — and I’m still processing how deeply moving it was. From the moment I arrived, I was struck by how warm, kind, and welcoming the people were. Locals went out of their way to offer directions, share their stories, or give me more information…… Continue reading Middle Eastern Grandma-Style Cooking… in IRELAND?!
Shish Tawook: The Chicken Kebab That Conquered the Levant (and Our Taste Buds)
You may know it as the juicy, yogurt-marinated chicken that lights up every Middle Eastern BBQ. But Shish Tawook is more than just a delicious grilled skewer — it’s a culinary passport that tells the story of cultural exchange, local adaptation, and pure flavor magic. Let’s take a tasty journey into the origins, evolution, and…… Continue reading Shish Tawook: The Chicken Kebab That Conquered the Levant (and Our Taste Buds)
A 1000-Year-Old Eggplant Recipe Perfect for the Modern Table: Badhinjan Muqallal
Few vegetables are as beloved in the Middle Eastern and Mediterranean kitchen as the humble eggplant. From smoky baba ghanouj to hearty moussaka, it has long been a canvas for flavor and creativity. But did you know that one of the earliest recorded recipes for eggplant dates back over a thousand years? In the 10th…… Continue reading A 1000-Year-Old Eggplant Recipe Perfect for the Modern Table: Badhinjan Muqallal
Hot Honey Crispy Fish: A 10th-Century Arab Dish for Today’s Table
Because of the positive response I got on my last recipe for a 10th century Arab chicken salad recipe, I will share another 1000 year old recipe with you today. I kid you not, when I tried this fish I decided it was my FAVORITE way to eat white fish….EVER. At first bite, this fish…… Continue reading Hot Honey Crispy Fish: A 10th-Century Arab Dish for Today’s Table
1000 Year Old Arab Chicken Salad Heals and Nourishes…
When we think of a chicken salad, we might picture something cold, creamy, and often uninspired. But in the 10th-century in the Arab world, a chicken salad was far more than a quick lunch. It was a carefully constructed, healing dish—where every ingredient served a medicinal purpose, curated for balance, digestion, and vitality. The notion…… Continue reading 1000 Year Old Arab Chicken Salad Heals and Nourishes…