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
Tag: feast in the middle east
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!
5-Minute Middle Eastern Lentil Salad With Easy Trader Joes Hack!
Let’s be honest: the holidays are a monsoon of treats that can render you defenseless. Between parties, deadlines, shopping, wrapping, traveling, and remembering who you forgot to buy a present for, December is basically an Olympic sport! And for me, that’s exactly when this 5-minute Middle Eastern lentil salad becomes my secret weapon. Yes. Lentils.…… Continue reading 5-Minute Middle Eastern Lentil Salad With Easy Trader Joes Hack!
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)
Keshkek: A 3,000-Year-Old Bowl of Warmth, History, & Flavor
If you haven’t noticed already, I love bringing back ancient dishes that have survived the test of time! There’s something magical about a dish that has survived millennia — something that carries with it memory, ritual, nourishment, and simplicity. Keshkek (sometimes spelled kashkak, keşkek, or regional variants) is one such dish. It’s a humble fusion…… Continue reading Keshkek: A 3,000-Year-Old Bowl of Warmth, History, & Flavor
The Best Real Olive Oil in a Sea of Fakes!
Growing up Palestinian American, I always joked that olive oil runs through my veins. Actually, that is not an exaggeration. Olive oil is so much more than a cooking fat in my family. In Palestine, olive oil is heritage, identity, and livelihood. As a child, I would have to wait for my grandmother’s batch of…… Continue reading The Best Real Olive Oil in a Sea of Fakes!
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)