Squash or Pumpkin Baked Kibbee (Kibbit Laqtin): A Vegetarian Middle Eastern Delight The scent of squash baking always transports me back to my grandmother’s kitchen. I can almost feel the warmth of her wood-burning stove and see her hands, weathered and strong, expertly kneading dough. While she usually made savory pumpkin pies, this squash kibbee … Read more
Fattet D’jaj: A Culinary Journey to the Middle East The first time I tasted Fattet D’jaj, it was during a bustling family gathering in my Lebanese grandmother’s kitchen. The aroma of toasted nuts, warm spices, and simmering chicken filled the air, creating a sensory symphony that I’ll never forget. My grandmother, with her hands dancing … Read more
Za’atar Flatbread: A Taste of Sunshine The first time I tasted za’atar, I was wandering through the vibrant stalls of a Jerusalem market. The air hummed with the scent of spices, freshly baked bread, and sweet mint tea. A kind vendor pressed a warm piece of flatbread into my hand, generously sprinkled with a mysterious … Read more
Toum: The Lebanese Garlic Sauce That Will Transform Your Cooking The first time I tasted Toum, I was standing in a bustling Beirut market, the air thick with the scent of spices and grilling meats. A street vendor, sensing my indecision, pressed a small container into my hands. “Toum,” he said with a grin, “Try … Read more
Pickled Lebanese Cucumber: A Taste of Summer Preserved The scent of vinegar and coriander seeds always takes me back to my Teta’s (grandmother’s) kitchen. Every summer, the counters would be overflowing with gleaming Lebanese cucumbers, ready to be transformed into these tangy, crisp pickles. Jars lined the pantry shelves, a testament to her dedication to … Read more
Super Quick Lebanese Fool Medammas The scent of simmering fava beans instantly transports me back to my grandmother’s kitchen in Beirut. I remember the early morning light streaming through the window as she meticulously prepared Fool Medammas, her hands moving with the practiced grace of someone who’d made this dish countless times. The earthy aroma … Read more
Grandma’s Lebanese Green Beans: A Taste of Home The scent of garlic and simmering tomatoes instantly transports me back to Grandma’s kitchen. It wasn’t just the aroma of her Lebanese green beans; it was the feeling of warmth, the sound of family chatter, and the comforting knowledge that a delicious, home-cooked meal was just moments … Read more
Maghmour: A Lebanese Eggplant Masterpiece (Vegan) The scent of my grandmother’s kitchen always transported me back to sun-drenched afternoons in Beirut. Among the tapestry of familiar aromas, one stood out: eggplant simmering in rich tomato sauce, a dish she called Maghmour. It wasn’t just a meal; it was a symbol of home, family, and the … Read more
Fattoush Salad by Neil Perry: A Culinary Journey to Lebanon The first time I tasted Fattoush, it was at a small Lebanese family gathering. The vibrant colors of the vegetables, the tangy sumac, and the crispy pita bread transformed a simple salad into an unforgettable experience. I remember the lively conversation around the table, the … Read more
Hearty Beef Nachos: A Crowd-Pleasing Comfort Food The aroma of spiced beef mingling with melting cheese – it instantly transports me back to my childhood. My mum used to whip up a version of these nachos for our family movie nights, and they were always the star of the show. The crispy bread triangles, the … Read more
Tabouli: A Lebanese Celebration of Freshness The first time I tasted tabouli, I was a teenager volunteering at a local community garden. A Lebanese family, who were seasoned gardeners, shared a vibrant green salad during our lunch break. The explosion of fresh herbs, the tang of lemon, and the satisfying chew of bulghur wheat were … Read more
Mdardara: A Taste of Home I remember the first time I tasted Mdardara. I was helping my Aunt Fatima in her sun-drenched kitchen, the air thick with the scent of caramelized onions. She hummed a familiar tune as she stirred the pot, her hands moving with the practiced grace of generations. The aroma alone was … Read more
Hummus and Ground Meat: A Taste of the Levant The first time I tasted this dish was at a bustling family gathering. My aunt, always the culinary adventurer, had whipped it up, and the aroma alone was intoxicating – a blend of earthy chickpeas, bright lemon, and savory spiced meat. The combination of textures, the … Read more
Kibbee Nyi: A Culinary Ode to Tradition My first memory of Kibbee Nyi is not just of the taste, but of the anticipation. I remember hovering around my grandfather’s butcher shop, the cool air thick with the scent of freshly cut meat and the murmur of Lebanese being spoken. He would wink at me, a … Read more
Fried Cabbage With Bulgur (Makmura): A Lebanese Comfort Food Classic The scent of caramelized onions and earthy cabbage frying in olive oil instantly transports me back to my grandmother’s kitchen. She called this dish “Makmura,” a simple yet deeply satisfying combination of humble ingredients transformed into something truly special. I remember watching her nimble hands … Read more
Simple Kibbeh: A Taste of Home The aroma of frying kibbeh always takes me back to my grandmother’s kitchen. I remember standing on a stool, mesmerized as she expertly shaped the bulgur and meat mixture into perfect little footballs, her hands moving with generations of practiced skill. The sizzle of the oil, the savory scent … Read more
Chicken Gallaba: A Taste of Home The aroma alone transports me back to childhood. Growing up, our family friend, Aunt Rose, would make Chicken Gallaba, and the entire house would fill with the warm, savory scent of simmering tomatoes, peppers, and that distinctive Arabic seven spice. It wasn’t just a meal; it was an experience, … Read more
Shish Taouk: A Taste of Home The aroma alone transports me back to my childhood. I remember eagerly watching my aunt as she meticulously threaded marinated chicken onto skewers, the vibrant colors of the spices clinging to the meat. The sizzle as the skewers hit the pan, the anticipation building with each passing minute… Shish … Read more
Zankou Chicken’s Legendary Lebanese Garlic Sauce: A Home Cook’s Guide I remember the first time I tasted Zankou Chicken’s garlic sauce. It was slathered on a warm pita, nestled next to juicy pieces of their signature roasted chicken. The pungent, creamy sauce was an explosion of flavor – intensely garlicky, yes, but also perfectly balanced … Read more
Tabbouli: A Symphony of Parsley, Lemon, and Freshness I remember the first time I truly appreciated tabbouli. I was a young apprentice, overwhelmed by the complexity of French cuisine, when a visiting chef from Lebanon prepared this seemingly simple salad. The explosion of fresh herbs, the bright acidity, and the satisfying chew of the bulgur … Read more
Gluten-Free Lebanese Tabbouleh (Using Quinoa) The first time I tasted Tabbouleh was at a small Lebanese festival in my hometown. The vibrant green parsley, the burst of tomato, the bright lemon – it was a revelation. What struck me most was the lightness and freshness, a world away from the heavy salads I was used … Read more
Ghoraybeh: Lebanese Shortbread Cookies The scent of Ghoraybeh always transports me back to my grandmother’s kitchen. I remember standing on a stool, barely tall enough to see over the counter, watching her deft hands transform a simple blend of ghee, sugar, and flour into these delicate, melt-in-your-mouth cookies. The anise-tinged aroma of arak filled the … Read more
Shish Taouk: Aromatic Chicken Kebabs from My Kitchen to Yours The scent of grilling chicken, kissed with lemon and warm spices, instantly transports me back to summer evenings spent around my grandmother’s table. She always knew how to make a simple meal feel like a celebration, and her Shish Taouk was legendary. The tender, flavorful … Read more
Unleashing the Power of Garlic: Mastering Homemade Garlic Paste The aroma of garlic sizzling in olive oil is a scent that instantly transports me back to my childhood. My grandmother, a true matriarch in the kitchen, always had a jar of garlic paste ready. It wasn’t just an ingredient; it was the secret weapon behind … Read more
Middle Eastern Thyme Breads: A Taste of Tradition The aroma of za’atar has always been a portal to my childhood. My grandmother, Sittie, would spend hours in her sun-drenched kitchen, the air thick with the earthy scent of thyme, the nutty fragrance of sesame, and the tangy whisper of sumac. She’d deftly knead the dough, … Read more
Grilled Halibut With Lebanese Spice Rub: A Taste of the Mediterranean I remember the first time I truly understood the magic of spice rubs. I was visiting a small coastal town in Lebanon, a guest in the home of a family who welcomed me with open arms and an even more open kitchen. The matriarch, … Read more
Tabouli: Perfect Dressing Makes All the Difference The first time I tasted truly exceptional tabouli, I was at a tiny Lebanese cafe tucked away on a side street in Montreal. The scent of fresh herbs hung heavy in the air, mingling with the aroma of grilling lamb. But it was the tabouli that stopped me … Read more
Manakeesh Bil Za’atar: A Taste of Lebanese Sunshine The scent of za’atar, that earthy, vibrant blend of herbs and sesame, instantly transports me back to a sun-drenched morning in Beirut. I was barely ten, trailing after my Teta (grandmother) as she bustled about her kitchen. The air hummed with the promise of freshly baked manakeesh. … Read more
Date & Pecan Pie: A Sweet Slice of Heritage My grandfather, a man whose life was a tapestry woven with threads from Lebanon and Mexico, had a knack for creating the unexpected. His cooking was a reflection of this unique heritage – a fusion of flavors that both comforted and surprised. I remember, as a … Read more
Saint Barbara’s Sweet Offering: A Journey Through Lebanese Ma’amoul Mad Bi Joz The aroma of orange blossom and honey always transports me back to my Teta’s (grandmother’s) kitchen. During the lead-up to Saint Barbara’s Day, that sweet scent would permeate the air as she prepared these special cookies – Ma’amoul Mad Bi Joz, or Saint … Read more