Eggplants hold a special place in Iraqi cuisine, in this is one of many variations of stews that are eaten with rice. They are called Marga – equivalent to an Indian curry sauce, this one is hearty and has a blend of subtle flavours that blend so well together and are served as a delicious…
Category: Cooking
Mastering the Art of Kitchen Safety: A Parent’s Guide to Teaching Children
By Elmer George, Contributor (Image courtesy of Pexels) Teaching your kids cooking and baking isn’t just about recipes and ingredients. It’s crucial to incorporate safety lessons into this fun and educational process. This guide from Candid Life Journeys is tailored to help you, the parent, ensure your kitchen becomes a safe and enjoyable learning environment for…
Vermicelli Dessert
A lesser-known Middle Eastern dessert is this easy-to-make Halaawat Sha’ariya which translates to vermicelli sweet dessert. Definitely satisfies the sweet tooth, and it is a much better-tasting simple dessert than it sounds. Has an interesting texture and is quite versatile (as in you can make your variations and additions – see below under Tips for…
Zaarda O Haleeb – Iraqi Rice Pudding
One of my all-time favourite Middle Eastern desserts is this exotic variation on rice pudding. Influenced heavily, if not originating entirely from Iran, this dessert is very common in Iraqi households and is considered a special treat for special events. A two-layered rice pudding with subtle flavours that are fresh and cold and perfectly sweet. …
Easy Apricot Pie
This is my mother’s own recipe and was one of my favourite pies (tarts or crostata) growing up. The smell and taste of it always bring me back to simpler times, and although I don’t have it as much, making it is always a treat – the final look of the lattice work just makes…
Kids Lunch Box Dilemma
My wife and I pride ourselves on the fact that we are both hands-on and share responsibilities more or less equally from a work and home-point of view. So I am the lucky one tasked with the kids’ breakfasts and lunch boxes for school and my constant dilemma with that responsibility is running out of…
The Art of Middle Eastern Tea
You may have experienced the exotic flavours of Masala Chai or Kadak Tea, there are variations upon variations of spiced tea that come from the sub-continent but Middle Eastern Tea is a distinct variant that uses specific spices that spice mixes with the aim for more fragrance than taste. Middle Easter Spiced Tea can range…
Perfect Pecan Squares
These are simply addictive. Had these as a homemade gift from my boss for the holidays and immediately asked for the recipe. It is an easy one, a party favourite, and hard to mess up dessert. If you love your pecans this is the one to try out. Three main layers that are all easy…
Margat Bazalya (Iraqi Pea Curry)
Generally speaking, most Iraqi savoury cuisine, or a major part of it anyway, is comprised of basmati rice with some stew. The variations of stews or “Marag” is as diverse as the regional composition of this ancient piece of land and the options are endless. You will find stews with vegetables that aren’t your day-to-day…
The Modest Maaqota (Iraqi Dessert)
This is a rarely known dessert that is eaten in Iraq and parts of Iran, and even there it isn’t well known. It is a light easy to make cool dessert, that will sufficiently satisfy any sweet tooth. I find the Maaqota is an underrated easy to make dish and it brings back great childhood…
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