Middle Eastern

Who’d a thunk It? Tahini  Banana Bread

Who’d a thunk It? Tahini Banana Bread

OK. OK. It’s another damn Banana Bread recipe.  In my defense, this is a Banana Bread recipe with a new twist: tahini. No. Really. Tahini? In Banana Bread?  Wow! Who’d a thunk it?  Tahini is a paste made from toasted ground hulled sesame seeds. You’ve…

Woo-hoo! Blue Cayenne is FIVE!

Woo-hoo! Blue Cayenne is FIVE!

  Break out the champagne and the party whistles. Cue the birthday music. Blue Cayenne is five! Who knew! I certainly didn’t. When I clicked “post” that first time five years ago, it was with no small amount of trepidation. Would anyone read my posts?…

Eggplant, Tomato and Chickpea Bake: Musaqa’a

Eggplant, Tomato and Chickpea Bake: Musaqa’a

Musaqa’a. Musaqa’a is a Palestinian eggplant, chickpea and tomato bake with inspired spicing–somewhat reminiscent of Greek moussaka. The recipe I’m using here is adapted from Chef Sami Tamimi’s and Irish food writer Tara Wigley’s new cookbook, Falastin. The recipes are Tamimi’s and the writing is…

Wow! Savory Cauliflower Cake

Wow! Savory Cauliflower Cake

This one’s a keeper. On my first taste, I knew that this cauliflower cake would be a party dish on my table. I’m pretty picky about what I serve my guests but this beautiful dish is that good. Love at first bite, I guess. This…

Pearl Couscous With Creamy Feta and Chickpeas

Pearl Couscous With Creamy Feta and Chickpeas

I’m loving this dish. Couscous has long been a staple food in North Africa’s Maghreb but it has become popular around the world in recent years. I remember discovering it on a long-ago trip to startlingly-beautiful and exasperatingly-strident  Morocco. Most of us here in the…

Pomegranate Molasses Butter Cake

Pomegranate Molasses Butter Cake

First, pomegranate molasses is readily available. You can do this. Second, this butter cake is absolutely delicious. I don’t have the words… I discovered pomegranate molasses some time ago. I shop at a local Jons International Marketplace and they have not one but several brands…

Tomato and Bean Soup with Harissa and Honey

Tomato and Bean Soup with Harissa and Honey

    This healthy Middle Eastern soup is wonderful. It’s spicy–flavored with a robust harissa paste. It’s full of flavorful and protein-rich Rancho Gordo Marcella white beans. It’s filled with good-for-you greens. It’s just what you need to warm your soul–whether you are caught in…

B’stilla: Maybe not today. Maybe not tomorrow, but  (make it) soon.

B’stilla: Maybe not today. Maybe not tomorrow, but (make it) soon.

    I ate my first B’stilla years ago in Casablanca. I fell in love. (Cue the music: As time Goes By.) We had travelled to Spain to visit Jim Shelton, a teacher friend who had moved to Alicante. Then, on a romantic whim, we booked…

Your Guests Will Bless Your Hand: Hlelem (Tunisian Bean Soup)

Your Guests Will Bless Your Hand: Hlelem (Tunisian Bean Soup)

  I’m enjoying a fair amount of Middle Eastern/North African cooking of late. I love the bold flavors and the high-intensity colors of the dishes from that region. Brings back good memories, too. When the world was a gentler place, my husband and I did a…

Middle Eastern Eggplant Rice

To my delight, I’ve realized that I have some holes in my cookbook collection. My Middle Eastern cookbook shelf, in particular, is a little thin. I say “to my delight” because, believe me, I welcome any excuse to buy new cookbooks. Picture me with a…