Red Lentil and Rice Porridge

This lentil and rice porridge / soup is one of my favorite dishes at the moment. It is so simple and pure, but incredibly comforting. I discovered it recently through family members and have been making it ever since. Msalwa’a, as some know it by, is one of those humble Palestinian comfort foods meant to…

Rkak – Lentil and Noodle Stew

Irkak ‘addas or ‘rushtayeh’ is a vegan Palestinian and Levantine dish as old as time. It’s a stew made of tender lentils, noodles, plenty of caramelized onion, lots of warm spices, fried garlic, cilantro, lemon, and pomegranate molasses. Wholesome, tangy, and deeply satisfying, it hits all the right spots. The noodles are traditionally homemade, but…

Spiced Butternut Squash and Lentil Soup

This butternut squash and lentil soup is here to remind you that fall is the best season of all. Golden sunsets, crisp air, and the many shades of golds, yellows, and reds show us the beauty of letting things go. They keep us grounded and help us better appreciate the present and all its splendor….

Classic Hummus

Good, old-fashioned, classic hummus. Whether it’s for your falafel sandwiches, the dip for your bread, or simply for eating straight from a spoon, it’s bound to make everything better. Any time. Any day. My quest to find the perfect hummus is never-ending. I am always looking for ways to make hummus creamier, richer, smoother, and…

Smoky Eggplant and Vegetable Salad

  A taste of bliss. Smoky eggplant salad with pomegranate molasses, spices, plenty of lemon, slowly cooked pine nuts, tahini, and really good olive oil. It tastes so indulgent despite being such a light dish. With smoky, sweet, fresh, and hearty flavors, each bite is terribly comforting. This salad is great spread on hot bread,…

Chickpea, Bulgur, Mint, and Vegetable Salad

A bulgur, chickpea, mint, and spring vegetable salad inspired by North African and Levantine flavors. Tossed in a delicious orange juice and lemon dressing, it is a most refreshing meal or starter for a heated summer day. And if you’re looking for an accompaniment, this salad pairs well with seared salmon or chicken. INGREDIENTS/ SERVES…

Smoky Aubergine and Lentil Dip

As the days get warmer, one of the most comforting things to do is to pull out a cool and creamy dip from the fridge and dunk some toasty bread in it. For such an occasion, it doesn’t get any better than this smoky aubergine and hearty lentil dip. It only keeps getting richer in…

Muhammara | Roasted Red Pepper and Walnut Dip

Muhammara is easily one of my favorite dips of all time. My first experience eating it was a few years ago during a research expedition to Jordan. A was interviewing a lovely Syrian lady who had just fled from her war-torn country. She stopped in the middle of our conversation and led me into her…

Roasted Beetroot and Garlic Dip

This vibrant starter is, like many of the best of things, quite simple. It lets you focus on the intensity of the beetroot without masking any flavors. Try not to be alarmed by the large amount of garlic in the dish, it will caramelize beautifully in the oven and turn into sweet, chewy, and utterly…

Tomato, Chickpea, and Vermicelli Noodle Soup

This slightly spicy chickpea and vermicelli noodle soup has all the things I love; lots of warm Middle Eastern spices, hearty greens, plenty of herbs, and chili. It also happens to be the soup that I make most often. I especially love the combination of turmeric, cumin, and the lemon juice added at the end….