This is just a simple winter salad that I like to make quite often with different variations. You can add greens such as rocket to it or add some coriander leaves, they both work really well. I love beetroot either cooked or raw in salads. For those of you who don’t like its flavour when cooked, … Continue reading
This is the season for silverbeet or chard, and I love to serve this salad warm in winter. This particular salad uses the stalks of the silverbeet which many people tend to discard. It is my version of a Lebanese salad which was invented to make use of the stalks which are usually left behind … Continue reading
This is a great recipe, the red lentils take away from the sweetness of the pumpkin and makes for a great texture and taste. The first time I ever tried pumpkin soup was at a friend’s place after I came to Australia. I thought it was interesting but found it a bit too creamy. So … Continue reading
Okra is a vegetable that is not used that much in the West but I absolutely love it. It is sold either fresh, frozen or dried and it has many health benefits. Some people might not like it because it can be gooey if not cooked properly. This problem is not an issue if you … Continue reading
Now that the warm sun is slowly making room for cool breezes and rainy days, after it had plenty of time to nurture and ripen olives throughout the summer months, these delicious fruits are now ready to be pickled and enjoyed. I will be sharing with you today a traditional recipe that comes from the … Continue reading
Last week I happened to drop by at a friend’s place and as I entered her kitchen, the smell of freshly picked olives filled my lungs. I stood still for a moment as memories of the olive pressing mill across the road from where I lived as a child, were being displayed right in front … Continue reading
I will be sharing with you today an authentic recipe for a traditional Lebanese rice dish full of aromatic spices. Do not let the word authentic scare you, it is very easy to prepare. Chicken and rice pilaf was traditionally served at feasts and special occasions, and it still is a great dish to serve … Continue reading
This is a traditional Eastern Mediterranean red lentil soup. It is so simple yet full of flavour, a favourite peasant soup of mine. When I make it for friends, they usually cannot believe that it has only two main ingredients. A perfect winter soup. Serves 4 preparation time 10 minutes cooking time 50 minutes Ingredients: … Continue reading
These delicious vegetarian pastries are pan-fried with just a drizzle of oil and they make a great side dish or party food. They keep well if prepared earlier during the day and then warmed up in the oven. Ingredients: Makes about 20 rolls Preparation time 15 minutes cooking time 15 minutes To prepare rolls 20 … Continue reading
I adapted this recipe from Greg Malouf’s cook book, Saraban, recipes inspired from his travels around Persia. It was the first time that I ever had chicken cooked in yoghurt and loved it. It is simple and easy to make. The original recipe uses orange juice which I liked but I preferred using lemon instead. … Continue reading
I first tasted ‘Mahalabiya’, milk Pudding with dried figs in Istanbul a few years ago and loved it. Even though for years I have been making various recipes for Middle Eastern milk puddings, I had never tasted a dried fig flavoured milk pudding prior to this trip. ‘Mahalbiya’ is traditionally a milk pudding using either … Continue reading
I made today a perfect soup for a rainy autumn day in Sydney. This is a popular winter soup in Lebanon and a really healthy one. ‘Adas bi Hamoud’ soup, which literally translates as lentils and lemon soup is packed with iron and vitamin C. It is a perfect combination because the vitamin C in … Continue reading
Freekeh is wheat harvested when still young and green, then roasted and rubbed to remove the grain from chaff. It has a special smoky flavour and is quite rich in fibre and protein. It is traditionally cooked as a stew, however chefs of modern Middle Eastern cuisine are reinventing this ancient grain and using it … Continue reading
Spoil yourself or your loved ones with a flour-less chocolate cake this Valentine’s day, or any other day. I love this cake, it is foolproof and tastes great. You can serve it with just a dusting of icing sugar and a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side. Or if you are in the … Continue reading
Vine leaves with herbed rice ” Vine leaves stuffed with rice and herbs (dolmades in Greece), are a sign that one is eating the food of eastern Mediterranean. Tender leaves should be harvested before sun and wind had done their damage. In South Africa, my mother once fooled a guest at the table and told … Continue reading
The tangy taste of the sun-dried apricots teams up really well with the crunchiness of walnuts to give this salad an interesting twist on flavours. The Beetroot and the grilled sweet potato introduce a lovely sweetness which contrasts quite well with the sourness of the dressing. prep time: 20 min cooking time: 30 – 45 min … Continue reading
The sweet and salty flavours pair so well in this refreshing salad. It has various textures too which makes it a delight to the palette. Note: for a vegetarian option, omit the prosciutto and scatter extra cheese pieces on top of salad. Serves: Two people Prep Time: 15 min Cooking time: 5 min 4 figs … Continue reading
Artichoke hearts are one of my favourite vegetables and I love them in this quick and delicious dish. They are full of antioxidants and people tend to mostly eat them marinated, not knowing what else to do with them. The marinated option has the least nutrients, fresh is best but a frozen artichoke still retains … Continue reading
A delicious gluten-free light alternative to the usual stuffed mushroom recipes. It makes a great entrée or use small button mushrooms as appetizers. I bought these gorgeous Portobello mushrooms yesterday, they are the brown large ones, but you can most definitely use large button mushrooms instead. Feel free to experiment with goat feta or sheep … Continue reading
Leek adds a special flavour to soups. This is a soup that I tend to make quite often, and even though it is creamy, it has no cream or milk in it. I thicken it and achieve the creamy texture by adding the potato. If you wish to add a dollop of cream, you can, … Continue reading
Poem and Dish 