Harissa-The Ultimate Condiment of North Africa

I am considered the condiment queen in my household, and my husband laughs at the row upon row of sauces I accumulate in the refrigerator and pantry. I find some condiments so tasty I can eat them out of the jar, like mustard, red pepper jelly, or even plum sauce. There is one condiment I…… Continue reading Harissa-The Ultimate Condiment of North Africa

“Baba Ghanoush” Tart

Thanksgiving is just brimming with so many sweet pies and tarts. Pumpkin, apple, pecan,  and rhubarb pies have all dominated our Thanksgiving dessert table for many years. However, as more and more family members have been diagnosed  with diabetes or weight issues, I thought why not make a rich, satisfying tart without all of that…… Continue reading “Baba Ghanoush” Tart

Middle Eastern Lentil Lettuce Cups with Butternut Squash & Tahini Dipping Sauce

There is a fun element in vegan cooking that you just don’t get with meat based dishes. You get to tap into the fruits and vegetables of the season, and think of using them in creative and fanciful ways to appeal to the whole family. You can even get children engaged in vegan cooking by…… Continue reading Middle Eastern Lentil Lettuce Cups with Butternut Squash & Tahini Dipping Sauce

Strawberry Pomegranate Molasses Ice Cream Pie (Yeah it’s a Mouthful)

In PART III of my Pomegranate Molasses Series, I focus on dessert! Growing up, did you ever eat that throwback ice cream pie that had hideous ingredients in it like Cool Whip and Jello? When I got older and realized what Jello and Cool Whip were made of, I vowed never to eat that junk…… Continue reading Strawberry Pomegranate Molasses Ice Cream Pie (Yeah it’s a Mouthful)

Kibbeh: The Shepards Pie of the Middle East!

“Kibbeh kibbeh kibbeh chameleon…..you come and goooo you come and goooo…” Ok so I know the Boy George song doesn’t really go like that, but I can’t help but get so giddy and excited that I  break into song at the thought of my favorite food,  Kibbeh. And Kibbeh really is a chameleon, in that…… Continue reading Kibbeh: The Shepards Pie of the Middle East!

Ghraybeh- Arabic Shortbread Cookies (S Cookies)

These buttery shortbread cookies seem to appear in various parts of the Middle East with different names. Throughout the Arab world they are known as Ghraybeh, shaped either as the letter ‘S’ or as a diamond. In Greece these are known as Kourabiedes. In Armenia they are known as Kourabia. When my husband was a…… Continue reading Ghraybeh- Arabic Shortbread Cookies (S Cookies)

Easter Menu: Musakhan- Palestinian Chicken Made Easy!

There is a tiny Palestinian village called An’arreeck, where a famous dish called Musakhan originated. Musakhan means “warmed” or “heated” in Arabic. It’s a gorgeous dish of roasted chicken baked on bread topped with caramelized onions and toasted pine nuts. To this day you can find older women baking the bread in a “taboun” or…… Continue reading Easter Menu: Musakhan- Palestinian Chicken Made Easy!

Palestinian Maqlouba-A Savory Layer “Cake” الفلسطينية

Alright my friends, many of you have asked for it. You got it. The MOTHER of all recipes….right here right now. Palestinian Maqlouba is like no other dish, a one pot meal with drama, artistic expression, and every food group melding into one flavorgasm. Maqlouba in Arabic means literally “upside down,” because this dish is…… Continue reading Palestinian Maqlouba-A Savory Layer “Cake” الفلسطينية

Healthy Holiday Baking Hacks-Chocolate Zucchini Bread in 10 minutes!

Tis the time of year where the days don’t just run by, they literally sprint –with an ever expanding to-do list. The frenzy starts with decorating the home inside and out and planning out the Christmas cards to send to people all over the planet. I always get lazy with this one and just take a…… Continue reading Healthy Holiday Baking Hacks-Chocolate Zucchini Bread in 10 minutes!

New Video: 7 Tips for Entertaining Guests from the Middle East!

My latest video is in response to many of YOU, the viewers, who wanted a video on how to entertain guests from the Middle East. During the summer I released a video about what to expect if you are INVITED to a Middle Eastern home. However many people are finding themselves in the reverse situation,…… Continue reading New Video: 7 Tips for Entertaining Guests from the Middle East!