Crinkle cake is one of those recipes that looks and tastes as it sounds: crunchy and crinkly! I made a crinkle cake with dates, a dessert known for its crispy and custardy texture and caramel-like sweetness. The cake features layers of crinkled phyllo dough and Medjool dates, topped with a sweet milk-based custard flavored with cardamom. After baking, a sugar syrup is poured over the cake, which can be adjusted to your desired level of sweetness. This cake isn't necessarily an authentic...
6 days ago • 1 min read
Craving a sweet treat with a touch of Persian flavor? I just published a recipe for Persian chickpea cookies, also known as nan-e nokhodchi. These delicate, melt-in-your-mouth cookies are made with chickpea flour, giving them a unique texture and a subtle nutty flavor. It's even likely that you've seen them sold in bulk in Persian or Middle Eastern food stores! Often adorned with pistachios or poppy seeds, they are a traditional treat for celebrations and pair perfectly with a cup of tea -...
18 days ago • 1 min read
I've just posted a new recipe for Greek chicken meatballs to the blog! These juicy meatballs, packed with herbs and spices like oregano and garlic, offer a delightful spin on the standard meatball recipe. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing appetizer, they're incredibly versatile and pair beautifully with tzatziki, pita bread, or a fresh Greek salad. Try them and let me know what you think! Greek Chicken Meatballs These meatballs are great however you want to serve them!...
19 days ago • 1 min read
Ashta is a delicious Middle Eastern cream perfect for stuffing into pastries, layering on desserts, or serving as a standalone delight. I've created a simple recipe that you can use to bake with ashta to prepare all kinds of baked goods. The flavor of ashta will almost certainly be familiar since it shows up in so many different Middle Eastern baked goods. Consider making ashta a fundamental skill that can enhance many different types of meals! As always, let me know how the recipe works out...
27 days ago • 1 min read
Chicken and rice is a classic paring with so many different variations across the world. Throughout much of the Middle East (and especially Yemen), one of the favorite ways to enjoy chicken is mandi, which is traditionally made in a clay oven called a taboon. I know that many of you are limited to a standard electric or gas oven in your kitchen at home, so I've developed a recipe that delivers some of the traditional flavor of chicken mandi in a modern kitchen. As always, let me know if you...
29 days ago • 1 min read
Bread recipes are always among my readers' favorites, and today I'm sharing a very special bread recipe that's commonly found in Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, and other parts of the Arab world. Khaliat Nahl is a special bread stuffed with cheese, split up into pull-apart-able little balls and drizzled with honey for a beautiful union of sweet and savory. Enjoy this one with friends or family any time of day, or as part of your iftar (post-sunset) or suhur (pre-sunrise) if you're observing...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read