Which oil is the healthiest to cook your food with? Olive oil? Canola oil? Vegetable oil? How about butter? There is a lot of misinformation out there concerning the vegetable oils in the market today, and today I want to dispel a lot of myths. First of all, although olive oil, canola oil, and vegetable…… Continue reading Not all veggie oils are created equal–the good, the bad, and the ugly…
Prince William’s Groomscake recipe–or lazy cake as it is known in the Middle East…
Honestly why should all the pomp and circumstance be reserved for the royal family? While watching all of the British hoopla unfold on television one particular detail caught my eye: the groomscake. A towering chocolate confection, this cake is supposedly Prince William’s favorite, a chocolatey cake containing biscuits. Just then it hit me that this…… Continue reading Prince William’s Groomscake recipe–or lazy cake as it is known in the Middle East…
Taboulicious!
What salad is as good for your breath as it is for your waistline? Tabbouleh! Tabbouleh (also known as tabbouli) is a Middle Eastern staple, and one of the most popular and recognizable salads in the U.S. now as well. In most upscale supermarkets tabbouleh can cost up to 8 bucks a pound, but you…… Continue reading Taboulicious!
Maftoul–the best couscous you’ll ever try!
If there is a Middle Eastern soup that has healing properties, Maftoul would fit the bill. From the silky protein of the meats to the aromatic garlic and onion, to the unique blend of spices and wholesome couscous, a bowl of this goodness makes winter much more bearable. Maftoul is the Arabic word…… Continue reading Maftoul–the best couscous you’ll ever try!
My Baba’s Hummus…
The Egyptians are not only known for their pyramids—they have also been making and eating hummus for over 7000 years. The word hummus is Arabic for garbanzo bean, and is basically the peanut butter of the Middle East—popular among Egyptians, Palestinians, Lebanese, Jordanians, and Syrians because it is economical, full of filling protein, and delicious!…… Continue reading My Baba’s Hummus…
Musakhan and other musings….
So here is another great reason to follow the Mediterranean diet–to fight inflammation! I just stumbled upon this great ARTICLE The jist of it is, a diet that is based on whole foods, including healthy fats like those contained in olive oil and nuts, can help fight inflammation from diebetes, cancer, and other diseases. With…… Continue reading Musakhan and other musings….
The most magical spice of all….
There is an incredibly healthy spice that is underutilized in the western world but used in Middle Eastern and Indian cuisine quite often. That spice, with its mustardy color and delicate flavor is turmeric. Look up the benefits of turmeric and you will be astounded. Turmeric helps detoxify the liver, fight various cancers, speed metabolism,…… Continue reading The most magical spice of all….
Looking at eggplant in a new way…
While eggplant was first cultivated in India over 4000 years ago, it is one of the least widely appreciated vegetables in the Western World. Eggplant was believed by superstitious Europeans to induce insanity and was known as the “Mad Apple” until only a few centuries ago. Fortunately the Arabs (Moors) brought this vegetable to Spain…… Continue reading Looking at eggplant in a new way…
Time for feast…from the Middle East :)
Welcome to my Feast in the Middle East page! You may know me as a television personality in the San Francisco Bay Area for almost 12 years. I am excited to follow through now with a dream of mine, to write a cookbook recording authentic Middle Eastern recipes passed down to me from generations. Check…… Continue reading Time for feast…from the Middle East 🙂