Let me give you a visual of one of my camping trips from childhood in Blue Lake, California. Imagine a large campground next to the lake. The sky is a deep blue, pink, and crimson red at sunset. My father fires up the grill, then retreats to a lawn chair, tabla in hand playing some…… Continue reading The Ultimate Grilled Pita Sandwich- Arayes!
Tag: palestinian food
Mamma Vera is Back- for Our Tahini Taste Test & Review!
You might think that a product like sesame paste, or tahini tastes the same across the board no matter the brand. But in truth, tahini is as varied as any other product. For instance, you know that Jiffy peanut butter is going to taste completely different from Justin’s brand, which has far fewer ingredients. Sadly there…… Continue reading Mamma Vera is Back- for Our Tahini Taste Test & Review!
My Family Favorite: Kousa Mahshi- Stuffed Squash
If you come from an Arab family in the Levant, whether Palestinian, Lebanese, Syrian, or Jordanian, you know the smell of Kousa Mahshi when it envelops the kitchen. That unmistakable smell of fresh summer squash stuffed with seasoned rice and lamb and boiled in an aromatic broth even permeates the front door. The scent invites…… Continue reading My Family Favorite: Kousa Mahshi- Stuffed Squash
Chef Samir is Back: Palestinian Musakhan Chicken
Some of you might remember Chef Samir when I had him on my channel 2 years ago, visiting his restaurant called Beit Rima and sampling his modern yet homey take on Arab dishes. Many of you asked that we collaborate once more, and I found a perfect excuse to invite him back for National Arab…… Continue reading Chef Samir is Back: Palestinian Musakhan Chicken
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 BOWL of CHICKEN SOUP COMFORT to EAT ALL WINTER! PALESTINIAN MAFTOUL
My favorite indoor respite from the rain, bone chilling wind, and dark leafless trees of winter, is a warm bowl of chicken soup. I love closing my kitchen doors to sequester the spicy aroma and comforting simmer of a particularly hearty soup called Maftoul. Maftoul is the Palestinian equivalent to chicken noodle soup. From the…… Continue reading A BOWL of CHICKEN SOUP COMFORT to EAT ALL WINTER! PALESTINIAN MAFTOUL
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!
Why I Never Complained about Eating Green Beans
There is a subset of society that truly loathes green beans, and I can understand why. Whether their exposure to mushy tasteless green beans came from a can, or they bit into tough and stringy beans the consistency of hay, I truly feel their pain. But you can enjoy this vegetable without an ounce of…… Continue reading Why I Never Complained about Eating Green Beans
My Childhood Fav! Arab Style Cauliflower Fritters
With a wide variety of vegetable “nuggets” proliferating in supermarkets, I can’t help but think of the old school, traditional cauliflower fritters of my childhood. These fritters are the Palestinian version of vegetable nuggets, made by hand lovingly by my great Auntie Bahia. The Arabic term for these fritters is “Em Shaat.” While this makes…… Continue reading My Childhood Fav! Arab Style Cauliflower Fritters