Friday, August 31, 2012

162. Courgette Galette


A galette is simply the French name for a rustic tart of sorts.
This courgette (or zucchini) galette is the perfect excuse to use up the remaining Summer courgette lying around in the fridge.

Thursday, August 30, 2012

161. Mini Oreo Cheesecakes


There are so many variations of cheesecake available.
The cheesecake was originally invented in Greece, but the Americans re-invented it and now the classic New York cheesecake is arguably the most famous. There are also no-bake cheesecakes, chocolate cheesecakes... and the list goes on.

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

160. Cream of Chicken Soup


This is a rich, hearty, creamy soup just right for the arrival of cold weather.
I served this soup during Ramadan as well, so really it is delicious any time.
As hearty as it is, it is also very elegant.

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

159. Blueberry Hand Pie


Blueberries are completely transformed upon cooking.
These pretty rustic hand pies are delicious and no-mess.
The little berries pop in the heat and release their deep purple juices from the venting hole.

Monday, August 27, 2012

158. Courgette and Aubergine Moussaka


Moussaka is a Greek/Arab lasagne of sorts, in that the pasta sheet are replaced with sheets of aubergines (eggplants) and sometimes courgettes (zucchini) as well. The layers. like a typical lasagne, include a meat-tomato mix, and cheese bechamel.

Sunday, August 26, 2012

157. Peach Melba Ice Cream


Peach Melba, a classic dessert, is a wonderful Summer dessert, where even bland-tasting peaches are transformed to intense nectar fruit.

Saturday, August 25, 2012

156. My Mother's Steak with Magic Sauce Recipe



This steak was a family favorite, and the steak sauce is as magical as it can get.
Due to its simplicity yielding to such elegance, I remember as a child watching my mother make it, and it has stuck ever since.

Friday, August 24, 2012

155. Gazelle Horns


According to Morocco Travel Tours, Gazelle’s Horns are a popular Moroccan pastry that is often served at weddings because of the love story that it symbolizes.

Thursday, August 23, 2012

154. Cabbage Tomato Salad


Cabbage makes for a nice change in a salad.
This cabbage salad is much better than coleslaw, and is absolutely packed with flavor.
It is a creation of the Fertile Crescent area (Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, and Jordan).

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

153. Thai Stuffed Roast Chicken


These baby-chicken are stuffed with Thai-inspired flavored rice.
Ginger, basil, garlic and onion: undeniably Thai.

Monday, August 20, 2012

151. Bangkok Day Two

Yesterday was mostly about the cultural tour, today will be (almost) all about the culinary tour!!
Good morning!

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Saturday, August 18, 2012

149. Potato Olive Salad




How fast Ramadan has passed!!
Wishing you all health and prosperity and may this holy month return several times to you.
Eid Mubarak one and all.

Friday, August 17, 2012

148. Qatari Meat Harees


Harees is kind-of like a porridge stewed over a long time with meat.
Many Arab and North African countries have their versions, but since I picked this recipe up in Qatar, I have labeled it Qatari Harees.

Thursday, August 16, 2012

147. Aubergine Cheese Pesto


Every time I taste something simple and wonder about how often the simplest things in life are the best, is like a first time revelation all over again!!
These little finger-food appetizers are as simple as simplicity.

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

146. Whole Roasted Lamb (Qoozi), version 2


Eid al-Fitr is fast approaching, so I decided to feature another qoozi (roast whole lamb).
This qoozi is a recipe presented by Manal during this holy month of Ramadan, and is simpler in ingredients and method to make than the previous qoozi recipe I've posted.

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

145. Knafa Buns


Kanafa, kunafeh, or kanafeh, is a traditional sweet Arab cheese pastry originating from Palestine.
Knafa comes in many shapes, forms, and flavors, with the most famous version named Knafa Nablusi in honor of the Palestinian city of Nablus.

Monday, August 13, 2012

144. Mushroom Spaghettini


This mushroom spaghettini recipe is a pantry recipe if I ever saw one.
A pantry recipe is one that uses staples most people already have in their pantry, also known as the food cupboard.

Sunday, August 12, 2012

143. Lentil Kubba


As I mentioned before in the kubba halab recipe, there exist sooo many different variations of kubba across the Arab world! There are even kubba made of beetroot, and shrimp,and all sorts of shapes and sizes.
Today's feature is the lentil kubba, with a surprise cheesy meaty filling.

Saturday, August 11, 2012

142. Roasted Lemon Chicken Marinated in Garlic Oil


There are endless possibilities to roast a chicken.
I've roasted a few in this blog, and plan to roast many, many more, each differently.

Thursday, August 9, 2012

141. Garlic-Infused Oil


This wonderful garlic-infused oil is a delight to use in a wide variety of ways in the kitchen. From cooking with it, marinating meat or chicken in it, using it in a dressing, drizzling it over steamed vegetables, or simply dunking warm bread in it.

140. Cardamom Cake


No one makes cardamom cake as good as my aunt's. Even me. But I do come pretty close.
This is a delicious cake with some steaming hot tea.
It reminds me of Bilbo Baggins because I really want to insert an "Elevenses" meal between second breakfast and lunch... on non-Ramadan days of course!

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

139. Pistachio Mafrooka


Pistachio mafrooka (مفروكة الفستق) is a very popular Arabian sweet, that also goes by the name Fustuqia
(فستقية), based on its main ingredient: the pistachio.

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

138. Potato Gratin


Need I mention my preference for versatile meals?
This is a potato recipe that is generally served as an accompaniment, but with a few changes can be converted to a wholesome main dish.

Monday, August 6, 2012

137. Berry Terrine


I was twelve when I started making this fruit terrine.
Fresh, beautiful, and unfailingly impressive, you may choose any combination of fruits to put in this terrine.
I chose a simple combination of blueberries and raspberries.

Sunday, August 5, 2012

136. Khoshaf, Dried Fruit Salad




In the northern Arab countries, where the soil is rich and fruits are bountiful, a portion of the summer's produce is dried to be used in the winter.
Advance a couple hundred years, and we have the technology, communications, and travel utilities that render seasons no more than an asterisk.

Saturday, August 4, 2012

135. Spinach Quiche


I love savory tarts, pies, and quiches.
I've done Aubergine-Courgette Quiche , and Leek Quiche before, so it was just a matter of time to make a spinach quiche.

Friday, August 3, 2012

134. Lebanese Fattouche Salad


Live and Learn.
Another cliché that doesn't lack in truth.
I had fattouche salad presented to me at lunch by a friend, and noted several differences between her fattouche and my fattouche.

Thursday, August 2, 2012

133. Delectable Curried Chicken


This is a recipe very near and dear to my heart, one I learnt from my mom, and have been making time and again. It's from Good Food F-a-s-t by Malcolm Hillier, which I bought again after having lost it the first time. It is old (1995) but I love it and the recipes are timeless.

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

132. Fragrant Spiced Rice


This is an amazingly aromatic rice dish, that is visually pleasing as well as delicious to eat.
By using whole spices, the flavors are delicately infused in the rice grains without being over-whelming, and the after-effect of whole spices scattered in the rice is a pretty sight.