A creamy, satisfying, and invigorating butternut squash and carrot soup with hints of ginger and a generous dose of turmeric. The flavors here are warming, energizing, and vibrant. Top with some zaa’tar, a light drizzle of olive oil, and a dollop of labaneh or greek yogurt for a bowl of pure joy. And while this…
Month: November 2016
Rose and Clementine Cake
Desert rose. A luscious and moist clementine cake with a rose water and vanilla bean cream cheese frosting. This sponge is charming, enticing, and fragrant. A splendid way to brighten up a pale and gloomy day. Top with silvered pistachios and pomegranate seeds for a romantic finishing touch. INGREDIENTS For the Cake 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted 1/2 teaspoon…
Roasted Butternut Squash Salad
This is one of my go to salads. It is quick and simple to make, but loaded with flavor and satisfaction. The deliciously golden butternut squash is spiced with paprika and roasted until its surface is crispy and slightly chewy. It is then combined with fresh greens, toasted almonds, pomegranate seeds, sultanas, sesame seeds, plenty of…
Spelt Flatbreads with Zaa’tar
When I was a child, my grandfather would often tell me that zaa’tar made people smart. “Eat, eat, you are getting smarter,” he would say. I would giggle away thinking that he was just saying that to get me to eat the tangy greenish powder. These days I need no excuse to devour the delicious spice blend…
Chunky Chickpea Shakshuka
This is one of those meals that speaks to the soul. Growing up, I would often have shakshuka in my grandmother’s cozy Amman kitchen during my childhood vacations in Jordan. That would be the beginning of my lifelong passion for cooking. My paternal grandmother Nema’s enthusiasm was evident by the way that she poured her…
Double Chocolate and Orange Muffins
Double chocolate muffins. But not just any double chocolate muffins. These are made with orange blossom water, yogurt, and olive oil for a rich flavor and moist texture. They are chocolatey, soft, and utterly delicious. Each bite provides a distant taste of the orange blossom just to remind you it is there. I like the…
One Pot Mujadarra with Freekeh
I finally woke up to a dark, gloomy, and chilly morning, which after having lived half of my life in Florida, is an occasion for excitement. Autumn is my favorite time of the year. It calls for hot teas, cozy fires, revitalizing meals, good reads, and most importantly, good company. Mujadarra, which is a traditional Levantine dish…