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...
17 days 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...
about 1 month 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...
about 1 month 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...
2 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...
2 months ago • 1 min read
A year ago, I led the first-ever Unicorns in the Kitchen group tour in Turkey! While life circumstances didn't allow me to run another tour this year, I still have the memories of all the fun we had together... and some of our best memories were made at the breakfast table! Turkish breakfast is an experience everyone should try, with its plethora of baked goods, egg dishes, spreads, jams, and of course cheeses! Here are a few of the best Turkish breakfast recipes we have on the blog to whet...
5 months ago • 1 min read
While some bloggers insist on waiting until Memorial Day here in the United States to begin pushing out grilling content, I think it's fair game as soon as the temperature outside is consistently in the mid-60s (or around 20, for those of you who measure temperature in Celsius). Here are a few of the recipes I'm most excited to try on my outdoor grills - whether I feel like going for wood-fired, charcoal, or gas, these recipes are all great options! Spactchcock Chicken with Mediterranean...
5 months ago • 1 min read
Cabbage doesn't get nearly enough credit. It's cheap, it lasts forever in your fridge, and when you cook it properly it transforms into something genuinely delicious. This series is proof of how far you can stretch cabbage: one head of cabbage, four completely different dishes that are easy to make and super tasty. Seriously - buy just one cabbage and make all four dishes! Unstuffed Cabbage Soup All the flavors of stuffed cabbage in one easy pot. Ready in 40 minutes, it's simple, hearty and...
5 months ago • 1 min read
With all the turmoil in Iran and throughout the Middle East these days, I find myself making Persian food even more than usual. And, more often than not, that means rice dishes - either as a key side dish or as the main attraction. Below I've compiled some of my key Persian rice recipes from the blog. I've put a lot of work into the step-by-step instructions and tutorials (and, for some posts, even videos) to make these recipes as accessible as possible, even for novice cooks! As always, if...
5 months ago • 1 min read