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!
Category: Middle Eastern Food
The Black Ingredient that Cures “Everything But Death” in a Cake!
There is a mysterious black ingredient, touted to cure “everything but death” in the Arab and Islamic world. This ingredient, called qizha in Arabic, or nigella seed paste, looks like black tar toothpaste or engine oil, and tastes a little like tahini, with undertones of mint and oregano. This ingredient is found Turkey, Syria and…… Continue reading The Black Ingredient that Cures “Everything But Death” in a Cake!
A Double Feature of Treats for Valentine’s Day!
As Valentine’s Day is upon us, I thought I would share two fun discoveries with you! As the price of chocolate has skyrocketed, making homemade gifts is a great alternative to store bought chocolates. Lindsay from Food La La shared this lovely recipe for Sweetheart Toffee on the set of California Live for NBC. If…… Continue reading A Double Feature of Treats for Valentine’s Day!
Egg Shortage? Substitute With This Wallet Friendly Recipe!
I used to love grocery shopping, but now I approach buying food with serious trepidation. Relentlessly climbing supermarket prices cause a mix of anger and anxiety within me, as I have never experienced such severe inflation in my lifetime. What we are experiencing in the United States is not new in other countries embroiled in…… Continue reading Egg Shortage? Substitute With This Wallet Friendly Recipe!
My Machos Bring All the Boys to the Yard…
As first generation Americans, my siblings and I were not exposed to nachos until we saw everyone eating them at a middle school sports rally. Like most children, we didn’t really have high culinary standards, so salty, crunchy chips drowning in a fake cheesy sauce hooked us immediately. In high school, we looked forward to…… Continue reading My Machos Bring All the Boys to the Yard…
Bring the Most Popular Appetizer to Your Next Party: Roasted Grape Crostini!
As the year comes to a close, there is still one more occasion to celebrate, New Year’s Eve! This is the day when the frenzy settles down, the leftovers have been eaten, the errands have been completed, and there is a little time for reflection and family togetherness. While some people enjoy dressing up for…… Continue reading Bring the Most Popular Appetizer to Your Next Party: Roasted Grape Crostini!
My Favorite Mediterranean Salad-Perfect for Winter!
Hello Friends, Just an update that you can catch me this week on “California Live” on Tuesday and Wednesday, November 15 and 16 between 11:30-12:00 pm on all NBC California stations! I will be sharing some special Thanksgiving stories and recipes to inspire you this holiday season. Speaking of Thanksgiving, today I am have posted…… Continue reading My Favorite Mediterranean Salad-Perfect for Winter!
My First Reaction Video-On the Mediterranean Diet
Hello Friends! I thought I would mix things up a bit to do a reaction video to a popular YouTuber named Beatrice Caruso, a lovely young woman who has documented her weight loss journey from week to week on video. I never heard of her before, until she decided to test out the Mediterranean diet…… Continue reading My First Reaction Video-On the Mediterranean Diet
What I Eat In A Day – Mediterranean & Pumpkin Spice Edition!
Hello Friends, Due to the popularity of my previous “What I Eat in a Day on the Mediterranean Diet” videos, I have decided to upload a brand new one! This time I show how I meal prep for a typical busy day when I work at NBC. I thought it would be fun to show…… Continue reading What I Eat In A Day – Mediterranean & Pumpkin Spice Edition!
Shortcut Palestinian Musakhan Rolls- On the Go!
While many people enjoy middle eastern food, many find cooking this cuisine at home daunting or intimidating. Even today’s young Arab generation they cannot fathom that they can cook as well as their parents and grandparents, preferring takeout instead. Some think the meals are far too complicated or time consuming, with barely any time to shop,…… Continue reading Shortcut Palestinian Musakhan Rolls- On the Go!