Pão de Queijo – Brazilian Cheese Bread

If you have been to Brazilian churrascarias, you may be familiar with pão de queijo or Brazilian cheese bread. The warm and chewy buns are usually served as a snack, appetizer or side dish. And there are many variations of it around the world. Some of the earliest recipes go all the way back to…

Turkish Poached Eggs with Labneh | Cilbir

One of my favorite ways to start the day is with this ancient dish of rich and creamy labneh topped with poached eggs, melted chili butter, and sumac. The flavors and technique of this breakfast are reminiscent of my childhood. Labneh or yogurt infused with garlic and paired with runny eggs and Levantine spices –…

Lazy Cake Orange and Pistachio Truffles

Lazy cake orange and pistachio truffles. Fragrant, sweet, citrusy, and decadent, these truffles could not be any more characteristic of the winter season. They are also made up of basic cupboard ingredients, to fulfill your chocolate cravings whenever you fancy. INGREDIENTS/ MAKES ABOUT 24 TRUFFLES 7 oz./ 3/4 cup sweetened condensed milk 1 tablespoon unsalted…

Eggless Dark Chocolate Mousse with Date Cream

Fulfill your holiday chocolate cravings with this deliciously simple dark chocolate mousse infused with vanilla bean and espresso and topped with a date caramel cream. It is light in texture, rich, and indulgent. And for those that like extra decadence, this mousse can be easily thickened by adding chocolate and using less cream and sweetened…

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…

Mahalabia – Levantine Milk Pudding

Dreamy mahalabia, a creamy and aromatic pudding flavored with orange blossom, rose, pistachios, and honey. This was one of my favorite desserts as a child and it always brings back festive memories. Such as many Levantine sweets native to Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, and Turkey, this custard-like pudding is characterized by the combination of dairy and…

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….

Flourless Chocolate and Olive Oil Cake

A flourless dark chocolate and olive oil cake that is as simple as it is divine. It is officially my favorite season, and that means plenty of baking and autumnal harvest. In respect to olive season, I thought I would share this treat with you. It is a dense, rich, and fudgy cake that’s very much…

Roasted Eggplants with Green Chili Sauce and Vegetables

These roasted eggplants with a green chili sauce and summer vegetables were nominated by the James Beard Foundation for their summer contest, and I am so excited to finally share the recipe with you all.  This dish is perfect for bringing some freshness into the last days of summer. Satisfying, vibrant, and loaded with character,…