This week I'm back to my Persian roots and Turkish influence with some cakes that I remember from living in both Tehran and Istanbul. From the rose and pistachio-infused cakes of Tehran's classic bakeries to Turkish bakers' unique way of adapting global influences to local palates, bakeries are one of the things I miss most about living in that part of the world. (This is not to throw shade on the home I've chosen in the United States, by the way - we do have plenty of wonderful Asian and...
15 days ago • 1 min read
Just about every cuisine in the world has at least a few unique soup recipes. But, I think soup is one area where the Mediterranean really shines. Turkish cuisine, in particular, has a lot of standout soups of its own - so many so that one of my favorite Istanbul restaurants was a soup restaurant.Anyway, let these soup recipes transport you to the Mediterranean this winter - and don't hesitate to reach out if I've missed any of your favorites! Ezogelin Soup This famous Turkish soup has a tale...
27 days ago • 1 min read
We've already had a few cooler days here in the Mid-Atlantic USA, and pumpkin spice is in season at our local coffee shops. My husband has commenced his annual hunt for pumpkin beers and pumpkin spice Bailey's (if you drink, you must try it!). And, as those of you who follow me on Instagram @unicornsinthekitchen know, lately I've been leaning into warmer, heartier recipes for fall. This means a focus on soups and on ingredients we often associate with fall, such as cranberries, pumpkin, sweet...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
The end of summer is finally in sight here in the Mid-Atlantic USA - cooler days (even if just slightly cooler so far) are signaling the eventual return of fall. We're having a bumper crop of tomatoes in my backyard, so I'm relishing the opportunity to enjoy some final tomato-based dishes with the literal freshest produce you can find. That said, if you're not able to garden at home, this is also a great time to find tomatoes in farmers' markets - in fact, I just picked up one of the most...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
Sometimes, after a long trip with lots of indulgent eating or a weekend of parties and celebratory meals, your body just cries out for homemade soup. In my opinion, there are few dishes more simple and comforting than chicken soup - but that doesn't mean you have to reach for the nearest can of factory-made soup. (Though, true story, before we got married my husband used to think that heating up the soup he would buy at the local drugstore in college counted as cooking!) Here are a few easy...
2 months ago • 1 min read
Many of you with kids in North American public schools are already starting the school year this week (though my American husband insists that starting the school year before Labor Day in early September should be illegal). If you're the sort of family that likes to pack slightly elevated dishes in your lunchboxes (or in your briefcase, or whatever you take with you to work!), I've got some recipe ideas for you! Here are a few Mediterranean and Middle Eastern-inspired dishes that travel well...
3 months ago • 1 min read
So, let's talk about zucchini. Not all Americans love it - for years, I had to lie to my husband about the zucchini content of certain dishes! But, there's a lot you can do with it, and there's no denying that it's an extremely healthy and nutritious vegetable. Persians and Turks have a lot of expertise with zucchini, and can make it blend into stews, dips, and even fritters. Take a look at the recipes below, and be sure to let me know how you like to eat your zucchini! Sauteed Zucchini with...
3 months ago • 1 min read
We're just under 24 hours away from the finale of the world's largest football tournament (or, at least the game known as football in 98% of the world's countries), which means that now is the time to plan out your spread if you're hosting a watch party or just enjoying the game with family at home! As you might expect given my focus on Mediterranean cuisine, I'll be cheering for Spain and planning a Spanish-themed menu for a small house party. I've already posted a special Spanish recipe on...
4 months ago • 1 min read
Refresh this summer with cool, crisp, refreshing salads full of healthy veggies and Mediterranean flavors! Here are some of our most popular Mediterranean-inspired salads, ranging from classic recipes found throughout the region to slightly more innovative creations. These salads are perfect for packing in a cooler as you head off to the beach or wherever your summer travels take you - and also make great sides for summer grilling! Classic Mediterranean Salad You'll find slight variations on...
4 months ago • 1 min read