While I love developing new recipes with twists and fusions of flavors, there are times when traditional recipes, those that have been barely altered throughout the ages, become a necessity. Such foods are capable of transporting us back in time and connecting us with loved ones in ways that may no longer be possible through…
Category: VEGAN DELIGHTS
Pistachio, Sesame, and Black Seed Cookies
These cookies/biscuits have become my favorite treat to dip in my tea. Filled with the romantic flavors of the Levant, you will find it difficult to stop yourself after taking the first bite. My recipe is a cross of Levantine pistachio and sesame cookies (barazek) and Australian Anzac biscuits. And while this is not a traditional…
Freekeh Salad
Freekeh. If you’ve been following my posts, you’ve probably noticed that I use this ancient grain quite often, a few times a week in fact. I grew up eating it in my grandmother’s soothing chicken and freekeh soup, the Middle Eastern version of chicken noodle soup. It wasn’t, however, until I began experimenting in my…
Roasted Aubergine with Pesto and Tahini
This roasted aubergine dish is another favorite in my book. It is undemanding and rather effortless, but its flavors are anything but modest. This recipe for me, is synonymous with the simplicity and freshness of Eastern Mediterranean and Levantine cuisine. Roasted aubergine slices topped with a flavorful basil pesto and tangy tahini drizzle… A fusion of…
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…
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…
Roasted Butternut Squash with Zaa’tar and Tahineh
The ingredients that make this recipe so special are as basic in my pantry as salt and pepper. Zaa’tar, tahineh, and extra-virgin olive oil are my kitchen staples, but they add a degree of complexity and depth to so many dishes. And as I have recently discovered, one of the best partners to tahineh is one…
Pumpkin Breakfast Cookies
Yes, that’s right. On this occasion, cookies for breakfast are indeed suitable and good for you! These pumpkin, oat, and chocolate chip cookies are gluten-free, refined sugar-free, vegan, and unbelievably easy to make. Flavors are soft, mellow, and jazzed up by the cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and pumpkin. The texture is tender and almost cake-like, although…
Cinnamon, Date, and Almond Granola
My favorite season of the year is only a few days away. However, I must admit that I have welcomed it since mid summer. Autumn is such a refreshing reminder that everything gradually passes to make way for the new. We, like the seasons, are built to evolve in such a way. Eventually, the new will…
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