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…
Tangy bell peppers with a savory stuffing makes the perfect meal for any holiday. I love bell peppers because of their tangy taste and crunchy texture. I believe that the colors of bell peppers reflect the lovely nature around us. To me, red represents love, orange represents enthusiasm, green represents growth, and yellow represents happiness. I always make sure to…
The Sweetheart of the Middle East. I still remember our trips to my homeland Palestine year after year. There were special places my parents would always make sure that we visited on every single trip. Jafar Sweets, a very famous Knafeh place in Jerusalem, Palestine is still one of my favorite places in Palestine that was always a must…
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…
Cauliflower, the broccoli of the Middle East. Balancing the responsibilities of life can get chaotic. Wearing the many hats of educator, mom, wife, daughter, and chef is all in a day’s work. Sometimes, the toughest part about my day is figuring out what I want to cook for my family for dinner. There are days when I plan out a…