Few vegetables are as beloved in the Middle Eastern and Mediterranean kitchen as the humble eggplant. From smoky baba ghanouj to hearty moussaka, it has long been a canvas for flavor and creativity. But did you know that one of the earliest recorded recipes for eggplant dates back over a thousand years? In the 10th…… Continue reading A 1000-Year-Old Eggplant Recipe Perfect for the Modern Table: Badhinjan Muqallal
Tag: side dishes
The Mediterannean Summer Dip Worth Diving Into!
With warmer days already here, there is one dip I make regularly that is as versatile as ranch, only better in every way possible. My grandmother in Bethlehem used to have a cup of this wonder dip next to my dinner plate every night In the heat of Middle Eastern summers. This condiment is called…… Continue reading The Mediterannean Summer Dip Worth Diving Into!
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
Fattet Hummus: The 5 Layer Casserole of the Arab World
If there are a people that can turn day-old bread into a sumptuous feast, it would be the people of the Middle East. Resourcefulness is practically in their genes, as they turn lowly lentils into regal Mujaddarah, chickpeas into silky hummus, or stale bread into Fatteh. The word Fatteh in Arabic means “crushed” or “crumbs”,…… Continue reading Fattet Hummus: The 5 Layer Casserole of the Arab World
FELAFEL MIX SHOWDOWN-WHICH ONE WON?
Before chicken nuggets existed, there was falafel! The perfect falafel are browned and crunchy on the outside, chewy on the inside, and flecked with fresh herbs and sesame seeds for extra crunch and nuttiness. Ideally the inside is green to reflect the infusion of either parsley or cilantro, depending on region and preference. Speaking of…… Continue reading FELAFEL MIX SHOWDOWN-WHICH ONE WON?
Sharing the Wonders of Za’atar on Fox News!
Hello Friends– Happy impending spring everyone! I am so ready for the longer and warmer days, flowers blooming, and a bonus this year, I’ve got cute little bunnies in my backyard! I don’t know where they came from, but they they have found their home in my yard, hopping around and munching on the grass.…… Continue reading Sharing the Wonders of Za’atar on Fox News!
The Most Popular Rice on YouTube…
Just happens to be my Garlic Turmeric Rice recipe! As of this writing, my recipe has now garnered over 850,000 views, with so many messages from all over the world, saying how this dish has now become a staple in their households. This no-fail formerly secret family recipe yields rice that is bursting with flavor…… Continue reading The Most Popular Rice on YouTube…
The Most Delicious Way to Prepare Greens: Hindbeh!
Have you ever read the book by Michael Pollan called “Food Rules?” I love the simplicity of it. The premise is we should eat and view food the way our great grandparents did. I know my great grandparents would freak out if they saw all the unidentifiable processed rubbish in a standard supermarket. They would…… Continue reading The Most Delicious Way to Prepare Greens: Hindbeh!
How Shakira Eats and Trains in a Day-New Latin Inspired Recipes!
Let’s face it, for many people it’s hard to get motivated in January. Most people would rather stay cozy in their homes, wrapped up in blankets and sipping on hot chocolate than sprinting in the rain or doing planks in the snow. Not to mention the closing of gyms nationwide gives people yet another excuse…… Continue reading How Shakira Eats and Trains in a Day-New Latin Inspired Recipes!