A flavorful family side dish favorite! One of my daughters introduced me to quinoa. I started creating different dishes with quinoa because my daughter is gluten intolerant and vegetarian. One of these dishes is Quinoa Salad. The texture, the multi-colors, and the dressing all create an extraordinary meal. Perfect for family gatherings. Sahtein! Enjoy!
Makdous: baby eggplants filled with nutty joy [Pickled Stuffed Baby Eggplant] When I was growing up in Kuwait, my father used to go to the farmers market once a week to buy vegetables and fruits. I still remember that every time he came home, it looked like he bought the whole market. He would bring home squash, tomatoes and cucumber…
Persian Cucumbers: the king of pickles In Palestine, it is very traditional to have pickles with food. Women learn to make all kinds of pickles for their family. There are many types of delicious picked vegetables! Persian cucumbers, cauliflowers, turnips, carrots, and cabbage are a few of my favorites. I learned how to make pickles from my mother. Each one…
A simple salad to brighten any meal! My father-in-law never asked my mother-in-law or his daughters to make him dinner. Even when I visited them in Palestine and always offered to make dinner for him, he refused. He was a wonderfully simple man who always told me that he preferred to make simple meals that he found delicious and filling.…
A deliciously spicy tomato and egg dish to start off your morning! I can never forget the first time I had Bayd wa Bandoura! I was around 11 years old and I was visiting my grandparents in Palestine. My dearest uncle wanted to make me a special breakfast dish. He called it, “Shakshuka”. The name made me laugh. As a young child,…
A simple and filling breakfast or side dish for any potato lover! I was raised in the Middle East. Overseas, we used to eat together as a family three times during the day: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. If one of my family members missed breakfast, then he/she would not miss lunch or dinner. Family time was very important, and it’s…
Cooling and savory dip or side for any meal! Quick and easy, 6-ingredient recipe. Whenever I buy fresh Persian cucumber I love to make the Persian cucumber with yogurt and dry mint salad. Drizzle with olive oil and eat it with pita bread. My daughter likes to have it with tortilla chips. My other daughter likes to add it to…