Potatoes. When life goes a little nuts, I like to de-stress with a simple and easy lunch with no fuss, just sticking with the basics. This salad has always been a staple in our home as kids. I don’t know if it’s a recipe that is popular all over Lebanon, but it sure is in my hometown. When all else …
Purslane and Thyme Pies – Flavors of Summer
With temperatures soaring in the 90s and 100s here in NC for the last few weeks, cooking is somewhat out the window. Instead we’re opting for lots of salads, sandwiches and light vegetarian meals. The kids are splish splashing in their inflatable fun world and I’m trying to keep my herbs and tomato plants hydrated and alive. Lebanese Summers in …
Herb Eggs in Fresh Tomato Sauce with Goat Cheese
There is nothing more enjoyable than a delicious breakfast and a hot cup of coffee. Eggs are my favorite breakfast item, they are so versatile and present a blank canvas to be embelished. This is a very traditional Lebanese breakfast, popular during the summers. It’s fresh, juicy and full of bold flavors. It’s a great way to use up your …
Grilled Zucchinis and Sea Scallops and Two Sauces
Hello June. Where has the time gone? School is out this week and it’s time for a break, so in a few days I pack the kids and a million of their necessities and we drive to Virginia to spend some time with my family. It’s always fun there, lots of friends and family, and in Lebanese that translates to …
A Fava Bean Breakfast
This time I remembered to soak the beans before going to bed. I’ve been craving this breakfast for a long time and I always think of it at breakfast time! Small fava beans with an olive oil, garlic and lemon dressing or Foul Mdammas is a traditional breakfast dish. It’s usually served with fresh mint, parsley, tomatoes, olives, cucumbers or …
Freekeh Ratatouille
I feel like Remy in Ratatouille every time I make this dish. My mouth watered at the scene where Ego took his first bite. And when, during a recent visit to a Vaidya, I was told to focus on dishes that have plenty of cooked, seasonal veggies, I was excited at the variety of delightful meals I can prepare. …
Herb Roasted Chicken, Garlic Sauce and a Sandwich
I always get so excited for Spring. Around mid Winter, I start channeling a rural farmer and dreams of planting fruit trees like pomegranates and mulberries take me all around my backyard and back to the sofa. Every year around this time, I buy seeds and set out to planting them and then the city slicker that I am, I …
Tabbouleh Salad
Anytime you look into my fridge and not find at least three bunches of cleaned and arranged parsley, there’s something wrong. This is probably the one item, well that and tomatoes and lemons, that I can’t live without. There are so many things to do with parsley – mix it with ground meat to make kafta, chop it for a …
Spiced Pompano with Green Salsa
It’s been a bit hectic since we came back from Easter break with my family. We were able to really enjoy the Spring in full swing in Virginia, colors of all shades of pink, white, yellow, purple and this green. Amazing. The kids enjoyed their playtime with cousins whom they don’t really see as often as we would all like. …
Jute Mallow Leaves and Chicken Stew
Hello friends. I’ve been away for almost a whole month and I really missed this space with you. I believe I’ve discovered a new torture method: “Not allowing someone to sleep!”. For those of you who have kids, please tell me if a baby can limit their sleep to about four hours a night regularly and still be happy and …