It feels like I have been away for so long. I write in my head all the time, but it doesn’t always make it to the blog. I’ve been meaning to share with you a squash Kibbe for a while, and now seems like the perfect time. The other day I found a beautiful Spaghetti Squash at the market which …
Brown Turkey and Conadria Fig Jam
In my kitchen, August has officially been declared “Figstravaganza Month”. If I think of one more use for figs this season, I might actually faint. Luckily, these beautiful fig jams are a very traditional way of using figs back home. Well this and also dehydrating them for use in the snowy winter months. The best snack my grandmother would offer …
Almond Blancmange with Caramelized Figs
The other day, I was reading about some recent research on the formation of memories. It turns out that a special protein, in the “taste center” of the cortex, is actually responsible for this process! Well, I am grateful for producing plenty of the PSD-95 (the name of that protein if you wanted to know). When I was about 7 …
Pistachio Crusted Lamb Chops in Fig Sauce
It’s fig season already. I don’t remember eating figs back home until September, but it’s been too hot here and maybe that sped up the process. My parents-in-law have a few fig trees and every year, we get more figs than we – and our friends and family – can eat. This year, I had about 16 lbs at the …
Grilled Bison Kafta and Hummus Sandwich
Kafta or Kofta (depending where you’re from) is simply minced meat mixed with spices and vegetables. There are so many variations and this “meatloaf” cousin dates back to the Ottoman times. Everyone makes it a different way and there is really no wrong way as long as it’s tasty. On days when I am so busy and time for cooking …
Classic Hummus Dip
Nothing is more Levantine than Hummus. The word literally translates to “chick peas” and I always laugh when I see it used for dips without chick peas such as lentil hummus or bean hummus. It’s very versatile and acts as a plain canvas when it comes to other flavors. Use this recipe as a basis and for variety’s sake, add …
Aromatic Grilled Halloumi and Watermelon Sandwich
It’s been so hot and humid here lately, and I’m craving a refreshing light lunch. Halloumi is probably my favorite Cypriot cheese, and has been adopted by the entire levantine region. It’s a hard, somewhat salty cheese and has a high melting point, which makes it a good grill candidate. During the neon-colored 80’s, my family lived in Limassol, Cyprus. …
Summer Herb Salad with Pita Crisps
My absolute favorite salad! Lemony, tangy and oh so simple and can be as elegant as the herbs you chop for it. In fact, you could also use whole leaves and they would have to be young and tender. This is a traditional Lebanese salad called “Fattoush”. Typically, it’s made as a starter and really complimentary to grilled foods. Growing …
Quinoa stuffed Cousa Squash
It’s been awhile since I shared a recipe and Summer is now around the corner. I wanted to share this beautiful photo that I took of some purple bells. Every time I look at them, they remind me of summer and beautiful days in the sun. Speaking of blooms, I saw these beauties at the market: the Trieste White Cousa …
Lentil and Onion Porridge
Spring is here and life is in full bloom. And when it comes to lunch, there is no match to a fresh, light meal. I find that the most satisfying meals are the ones full of different textures, flavors, and colors, filling the eyes before the stomach. Mealtime is slowly savored in a comfortable setting and never alone. This is …