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Appetizer and Mezze
A little sweet, salty, creamy goat cheese crostini with figs, pistachios, and basil…Ready in 15 minutes! Growing up near the shores of the Mediterranean, I can’t say that I celebrated figs much as a child. I enjoyed them immensely, of course, but because they were quite available–at a lower cost–I never really missed them. The…
Salads
This Panzanella Salad is anything but boring! A little twist on the classic Italian Panzanella, transformed my ripe tomatoes; stale bread; and leftovers into a satisfying, glorious appetizer! Just like Middle Eastern Fattoush, and Spanish Gazpacho, a traditional Panzanella Salad is basically another easy, “poor man’s” answer to leftovers. Take toasted day-old ciabatta bread, or…
Entree
Stuffed zucchini, Middle Eastern style! In this recipe, the humble zucchini act as vessels for a special stuffing of spiced rice and ground beef with tomatoes and fresh herbs. See my step-by-step tutorial for foolproof, and absolutely delicious results! When nostalgia takes me back to certain foods and flavors, sometimes all I have to help…
Egyptian
My take on limonada: Mediterranean-style mint lemonade as they make it in Egypt. Intense with flavor, extra frothy, and extremely refreshing! There is a tiny trick involved that makes all the difference… There is an ahwa on every street corner in Egypt. If you’re not familiar, ahwas are small coffeehouses. We’re talking hole-in-the-wall type establishments, open to…
Salads
Think lentils are bland food? That may be, but not in the case of this lentil salad with garlic, harissa, and Middle Eastern spices. With the addition of white beans, this vegan and gluten-free lentil salad is a meal in its own right. But, it’s usually served as meze (appetizer) or side dish. Lentils, fava…
Entree
This is a power bowl type of dinner. Mayo-free Mediterranean Coleslaw with Salmon served in flat bread bowls! A perfect weeknight dinner in 30 minutes or less. It is the dressing of lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, and Mediterranean spices that make this coleslaw anything but average. Then, it’s the use of peppery radish, green onions,…
Party Menus
There are a few things I appreciate most about summertime: Atlanta’s endless supply of sunshine (some days, it feels like I’m back in Egypt); sleeping in when I can; and getting together for cookouts! With Memorial Day weekend upon us, I thought this would be a good time to do a cookout menu with a…
Breakfast
A baked omelet made Middle Eastern style with zucchini, onions and lots of fresh mint leaves. Comes together in 30 mins or less. The perfect breakfast or brunch, especially with a side of fattoush or tabouli salad! Be sure to scroll down for the step-by-step tutorial with photos. If you are from Egypt, you’ll recognize this as…
Sides and Small Plates
Roasted cauliflower and tahini come together in a delicious Middle Eastern-style spicy dip! A great wholesome appetizer; or serve it warm as a side dish of mashed roasted cauliflower! Be sure to scroll down for the step-by-step photo tutorial. The best cauliflower head to buy–my dad taught me– is one without bruises. It must be…
Middle Eastern
This tutorial is all you need to make the BEST authentic Kofta kebab recipe. Grilled kofta (or kefta) are skewers of ground beef and lamb mixed with fresh parsley, onions, garlic and warm Middle Eastern spices! These kabobs will feed a crowd and there are many sides and salads you can serve alongside (lots of…
Sides and Small Plates
A slight spin on the beloved Italian summer classic, this roasted eggplant Caprese salad recipe makes the perfect satisfying appetizer or even side dish! See the step-by-step tutorial below. Caprese salad is the quintessential summer dish. And the key to a perfect Caprese salad recipe is to use the best ingredients you find–large, firm tomatoes,…
Salads
Tabouli salad or Tabbouleh is a simple Mediterranean salad of very finely chopped vegetables, lots of fresh parsley and bulgur wheat, all tossed with lime juice and olive oil. Grab my tips and watch the video for how to make tabouli below. Tabouli is likely the topmost famed Mediterranean/Middle Eastern salad there is. Because it…
Lebanese
Since I serve Lebanese rice with nearly everything, from weeknight dinners to big Lamb Roasts on the holidays. This is a simple vegan rice pilaf made of three ingredients: vermicelli pasta, rice and olive oil. Add a bit of toasted pine nuts, and you have the best side of rice! Check out the video and…
Entree
An easy baked cod recipe that comes together in 25 minutes! Bold Mediterranean flavors from fresh cilantro, garlic and lemon juice. If you were trapped on a desert island, what is the one food you must have along? For me, it will always be fish. Seafood, in general. Top of the list: cod. I would also…
Breakfast
This Mediterranean potato hash is another one-skillet recipe with diced potatoes, asparagus, chickpeas…and more! All dressed in Mediterranean spices and topped with poached eggs. P.S. Comes together in 25 minutes or less! Many of us, in fact the majority of North Americans, start our days with a cold bowl of cereal or a quick something…
Entree
A traditional Middle Eastern beef stew recipe with green beans and tomatoes; otherwise known as fasolia. I share both the stove-top and slow-cooked beef stew versions today. It’s true how our cravings are very much affected by the weather! The last few days here in Atlanta have brought about nonstop rain. The sky seems to…
Desserts
Here is a super simple Middle Eastern Dessert: Vegan Donuts or Zalabia–AKA my childhood guilty pleasure, and the perfect Fat Tuesday treat! It takes 5 simple ingredients that you already have in your pantry! Now who can say no to a little crispy donut drenched in syrup?! Today’s Zalabia recipe is basically easy Middle Eastern…
Sides and Small Plates
Got game day on your mind? Here are 11 easy and crazy good Mediterranean game day recipes! Be sure to prepare double the amount, these are flavor-packed party recipes that will have everyone coming back for seconds! Maybe you’re a big football fan. Or maybe, you’re more like me, someone who sees game day as…
Mediterranean Diet
Back in August, a reporter for Neurology Today reached out. Dawn’s request, “we’re doing a story about the Mediterranean diet and health. I was wondering if I could interview you about your blog and some of the tricks in switching to a more Mediterranean lifestyle?”
Entree
Time for a little Italian comfort food: Easy Baked Ziti Recipe. In this recipe, the Italian sausage and a little fresh basil provide all the flavor you need for this simple one-pan dinner! Just like anything in my life, I am slowly learning that there is a rhythm for eating. A balance between feasting and…
Vegetarian
Here is a list of my top Mediterranean recipes of 2015! Tried-n-true Mediterranean recipes for today’s busy cook–from seafood paella, to falafel, fattoush salad, cilantro lime chicken, roasted Greek potatoes and more! Holidays just feel like a sprint! We work so hard to write those thoughtful greeting cards; buy the perfect gifts; attend special events;…
Sides and Small Plates
Not your average bruschetta recipe! For a special twist, I added shrimp, avocado, and good quality basil pesto. There are several variations of bruschetta. It can be as simple as Tuscany’s version called fettunta–fresh bread, grilled and brushed with good quality olive oil. Or, the more popular tomato bruschetta with diced tomatoes and fresh herbs, garlic, and…
Desserts
A recipe for a simple homemade candy: chocolate covered date recipe with almonds. Pitted medjool dates, stuffed with roasted almonds and covered in chocolate. The perfect no-bake gluten-free and vegan dessert (or edible gift)! A few months ago, I made this recipe for no-bake dessert bars with dates and honey, and with it, my lengthy…
Vegetarian
This simple roasted mashed sweet potato recipe takes inspiration from Batata Mashwiya, the roasted sweet potatoes of my childhood. I grew up with sweet potatoes totally “bare.” We called them Batata Mashwiya (roasted sweet potatoes.) During the cold months, street vendors lined up near the boardwalk in my hometown of Port Said, Egypt. Their carts were often topped…
