I first came across this recipe at a Nepalese restaurant, and I really liked the combination of crispy green beans with the richness of coconut. Subtle Indian spices were also a perfect addition. I loved it so much, I decided to attempt something similar at home. It was a spur of the moment decision to recreate … Continue reading
I love traditional Lebanese dishes, but every now and then I like to play with the flavours and add a modern twist. In this one I added a light Indian spicy variation to it. Hope you like it Serves 6 Ingredients: 1 kilo green beans 1 large onion 3 cloves garlic 1/2 tsp chilli powder … Continue reading
This is a dish which I created during the holidays from leftover quinoa, the idea came to me from Iraqi red rice dishes. The flavours worked so well and my daughter loved it so much I decided to write the recipe down and share it. Quinoa is gaining a lot more popularity, and when I … Continue reading
This mousse or thick smoothie is so simple, and I usually hesitate to post such simple recipes, but when I posted it on my Facebook Page and asked who wants the recipe!! I had a good response. So here it is, enjoy it, it is super tasty, super easy, and super healthy too. I’ve added … Continue reading
I made this delicious pudding a couple of weeks ago, and kids loved it so much, I decided to make it again and share the recipe. Perfect colours for the festive season, and this bowl will be tonight’s dessert. A much healthier and lighter alternative to a creamy traditional pudding. Serves 6 preparation time 45 … Continue reading
I was busy making almond and cashew butters yesterday. And while I was at it, I decided to make tahini butter and paste. These are clean, with no preservatives or sugar and so easy to make. They are also so much more economical than ready made ones. For the tahini paste, I used raw sesame … Continue reading
This crème Caramel recipe comes from my mum, Nawal. It is perfect, easy, delicious and fool-prof. Unlike other recipes, this one is straight forward and you can easily divide it or multiply it. My mother has been making it ever since I was a little girl, and she taught me how to make it on … Continue reading
The inspiration behind this recipe is a Lebanese dish called Marshoosheh. This is my modern twist on it. The traditional dish is made with a herb by the name of Ettayfeh, which is not usually found in Sydney, but I have seen something similar to it in Asian vegetable stores. It is a basic peasant dish, … Continue reading
This is simple food at its best. A traditional peasant dish, quite popular in the olive growing regions of Lebanon. My kids love zucchinis cooked like this, and that’s because being quite a bland vegetable, zucchinis get to really soak up and absorb this rich tomato sauce. This dish uses only three main ingredients, and … Continue reading
Eggplant is one of my favourite vegetables, but when you combine it with Fetta, spinach, and a rich tomato sauce, it becomes irresistible. This dish is just so tasty and I love that it is so easy to prepare. I use a Cyprian sheep Fetta, and I absolutely like its creamy taste and that it’s … Continue reading
Simple food is always so satisfying, isn’t it!! And today I was craving freshness. A meal that is both light and satisfying, a fulfilling salad for lunch. I went shopping this last Saturday, looking for some gluten-free pasta. I have gone completely gluten-free about six months ago and feeling great as a result, but I … Continue reading
It all started with an anniversary, and a quest to celebrate thirty years of union. Christina, an old friend of mine, started surfing the net for a special dining experience in Barcelona. On her expedition, she came across an underground restaurant, La Contrasenya. She contacted the owner and made a booking, but was told that … Continue reading
La Boqueria food market at Rambla in Barcelona is a feast, both for the eyes and the belly. I discovered this morning that all sorts of delights are served really early on, no need to wait for lunch to indulge in seafood, paella, and so much more. It was raining lightly this morning, and a … Continue reading
Enjoying summer to the full in Lebanon is all about the beach and the night life. As the sun sets in Beirut, the madness of its streets subsides and the city’s eccentricity moves across to the bars and the nightclubs. Beirut offers some of the hottest roof-top bars in the world, but other places offer some … Continue reading
Whenever I have made this dish for friends’ dinner parties, it always disappears in no time. What I love about it is that it goes really well with other dishes, but if you serve it with rice and fresh lemon wedges, it makes a great main dish. It is very easy and quick to prepare, … Continue reading
When friends taste this dish at my place for the first time they are surprised that it tastes so good, looks are so deceiving. This is peasant food at its best. The northern region of Lebanon where I come from is famous for its olive oil. Its cuisine is extremely rich in vegetarian dishes which … Continue reading
Shanklish is a Middle Eastern cheese that is aged and crusted with za’atar. I am using it in this salad and it brings a wonderful texture to it. This salad is so refreshing with the sour and sweet pink grapefruit, that is balanced so well against the creamy chestnuts and the crunchiness of the fennel. … Continue reading
Milk rice pudding is a dessert that can be either really good or really bad. I personally do not enjoy it if it is too thick and full of rice. In my opinion an excellent milk rice pudding has to have really soft rice grains and a milky smooth creamy texture. I do not like … Continue reading
The gods do not make great-grandmothers like they used to. Mine reeked of damp earth, nutmeg, grew betel vine to feed her habit, chewed and spat betel-quid till her lips ochered and teeth blackened. She reeked of damp earth and nutmeg, plucked vine leaves at subuh, wrapped them into quids, chewed and spat them till … Continue reading
These are absolutely delicious. Put them in pita bread, a burger bun, or on mini skewers and serve them as appetizers at parties. Use your imagination and serve them any way you like, with salads or in a roll with lettuce cucumber and tomatoes. If you can’t have dairy products they taste just as delicious … Continue reading
Poem and Dish 