Iraqi Breakfast Makhlama

I’ve been really into hosting breakfast or brunch gatherings,  it has a casual feel to it (even though it is just as much work if not more of a dinner), but it makes for a great – long – day hanging out with family and friends.  Especially when you have kids, early lunches and breakfast…

Travel the globe in NYC restaurants

One of my favourite trips was to New York City – and I have written plenty about it.  Part of the trip was the food that you can get there, I’m a bog foody and so having great food is half the trip.  We tried to savour and enjoy as many types of foods as…

Fine Fattoush

Another light salad, usually served alongside a tabbouleh to give some options, this one is a sort of Middle Eastern take on the Caesar salad with the crispy pita bread “croutons”.  Very light and extremely healthy (I mean you got Radish in there!).  I haven’t included the sumac spice as a must in case you…

A Fantastic Fool – Medamas

There have been remnants of fool medames uncovered in a number of the 12th Dynasty (1991-1786 B.C.) Pharonic tombs in Egypt.  This dish is one of the most common and popular forms of Egyptian street food, and probably the country’s national dish. It is typically a breakfast food, but it is best eaten during the…

Mutabbal

Another Middle Eastern staple, this is for eggplant lovers – like me – a Godsend. This is very similar in appearance and texture to hummus but made entirely out of baked eggplant.  A nice appetizer, the eggplant is a great weighty addition to any meal. Time: 45 min Serves: 6 Good for: Flavourful, ethnic  appetizer…

The Humble Hummus

It is a dish with origins in the Levant — a region that includes Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, Jordan and Turkey — due to the abundance of chickpea agriculture. It is practically guaranteed if you are invited to a Levantine dinner that this will be present on the table.  Interesting fact about Hummus is that some health…

Terrific Tabouleh

This is especially for those parsley lovers – where a salad can be more than just a salad. The special salad is considered Lebanon’s national food and is said to have originated in the mountains of Lebanon and Syria – but has since then found new fans all over the world (I have even seen…