Rainbow Trout with a Rustic Herb Sauce

AnitaDairy Free, Entrée, Fish, Gluten Free, Herbs, Paleo, What's Cooking 1 Comment

Anytime I prepare whole fish, thoughts of platters of crispy-skinned sardines and red mullet (or Sultan Ibrahim as it’s called in Lebanon) flood my vision.  It was my favorite way to eat fish growing up – crispy fish, lemon to squeeze and a garlicky tahini sauce!! Today, we’re not making those, but another seriously yummy and super easy recipe.  It was …

Squash Love

AnitaFavorite things, Holidays, What's Cooking Leave a Comment

Hello.  It’s the week before Thanksgiving. Wow.  It’s my favorite time of year, the time when everyone is a bit more tuned in to family, to being with loved ones, to simply being.  Somehow, work becomes less important, problems less pronounced and a cloud of happiness and contentment sprinkles overhead these tiny moments of relaxed breaths.  Take some deep ones …

Gluten/Sugar Free Apple Cranberry Tea Cakes

AnitaChristmas, Dairy Free, Dessert, Gluten Free, Kids Eat Here, Sugar Free, What's Cooking Leave a Comment

Another beautiful Fall day here.  A busy week ahead, in the kitchen prepping for three back to back birthdays (hubby and kids).  The kids’ parties this year are especially challenging seeing as we are still on our detox diet.  I have been developing, testing and adjusting recipes last week, and I have found the cake part quite easy in relation …

Roasted Delicata Squash Soup – Perfect Welcome for Fall!

AnitaDairy Free, Entrée, Gluten Free, Herbs, Nuts, Paleo, Soup, Vegetables, What's Cooking Leave a Comment

It’s been a mostly rainy first week of Fall, begging for soups and autumn dishes – satisfying, colorful and healthy.  And on a personal note, I’ve been finding much satisfaction in clean and simple cooking, no fads, no trendy ingredients – just what naturally resonates with me.   Many of the recipes lately have been transmuted from flavors of childhood to …

Gluten Free Carob Cake (Faux Chocolate Cake)

AnitaDairy Free, Dessert, Gluten Free, Kids Eat Here, Nuts, What's Cooking 9 Comments

UPDATE: Added a vegan version at the bottomYears ago, carob was traditionally used as a sweetener in Lebanese baking.  To this day, many Lebanese love mixing carob molasses and sesame butter (tahini) to make a delicious sweet bite after a meal.  The molasses is made by soaking the carob pods in  water and reducing the extract to make a thick …

Mediterranean Chicken Salad with Artichoke Spinach Relish (dressing)

AnitaAppetizer, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Greens, Herbs, Paleo, Salad, What's Cooking 4 Comments

*Hello Friends, please make note of the new site address www.myfreshlevant.com Do you sometimes dream solutions to your questions??  A couple of weeks ago, I did.   Let me backtrack a bit.  I’m one of those foodies that’s always thinking about ingredients and how they would fit together to create new flavors.  This process has been on overdrive since my detox …

Grilled Mussels and Herb Salad and a Peachy Dressing

AnitaDairy Free, Entrée, Gluten Free, Herbs, Paleo, Salad, Shellfish, What's Cooking 2 Comments

It’s Summertime in the South, temperatures are already soaring close to 100ËšF and my oven is sort of taking a break.  I love making playful light dishes with all the fresh greens and seafood from the local market, and proud to say that many of the herbs that I’m using now come from my little herb garden – oregano, marjoram, …

Herb Meatballs with Spinach and Zucchini

AnitaDairy Free, Entrée, Gluten Free, Herbs, Meats, Paleo, What's Cooking 2 Comments

May has flown by!  It’s been busy around here. With school ending in a couple of weeks, schedules are packed with birthday parties and school activities, kitchen is filled with the aromas of fresh produce, herbs and fruits.  Lots of cooking and experimenting going on, and unfortunately I don’t always have a chance to take pictures and share with you.  …