pizza margherita [and base]

Now that I’ve reached my first university holiday of the year, I’ve taken out the time to post – as promised – my pizza base recipe (and a Margherita at that) If you remember many months ago I complained that my oven always gave me hard-as-rock pizza crusts… which lead me to make a naan … Continue reading »

chocolate mousse brownie slice

It took a while to realise – but today’s my 2nd blogiversary feels weird to be honest, to think I’ve been posting recipes for the past two years. Mind you, only 130 or so I’d like to include a few sappy words – a romantic reminisce of the past couple of years. But these uni projects won’t … Continue reading »

karen’s smoked salmon pizza

So I’ve never actually seen Karen’s salmon pizza. Tasted it. Or smelt its aromas. But I’ve certainly been told about it And boy it sounded like something I’d devour any day! So why do I confess this? Because my version might not exactly look like hers, or taste 100% like hers, but perhaps it’s close … Continue reading »

pan fried salmon steaks

With uni back in full swing, there’s been little time to cook – so I’ll be sharing a few recipes I managed to cook up during the summer I love salmon – it’s one of my go-to choices when nothing on a menu tickles my fancy, or when I feel the need for something a … Continue reading »

lemon yoghurt syrup cake

I’m a fanatic of two things: cooking (when I feel like it), and lemon desserts (when I’m craving it). Being a cooking fanatic, I loved watching MasterChef when I had lots of spare time, and few things to do Some of the recipes they cooked up on the show were plain amazing – and when … Continue reading »

light chocolate mousse

Been a little while since I last posted. But I come with good news… I started the new year becoming an aunt to a gorgeous nephew! It was a marathon completing his cake on time, with last minute runs to the shops for extra cream, butter, batter ingredients, and decorations!   Thankfully, after 1.2L of … Continue reading »

petite pumpkin soup

I’m back! In case you missed my previous post, I was doing a small tour of Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand I’ve picked up on some amazing culinary practices I can’t wait to do here at home and share with everyone on the blog. Today I’m sharing with you a recipe given by my aunty. It’s … Continue reading »

Postcard from Singapore

Sending you a postcard from Singapore. Although tonight I’m in Malaysia, I wanted to share with you the green lemon lemonade Singapore serves. Recipe I replicated here at home after my last trip to Singapore. It’s such a beautiful city with amazing architecture! Hope to catch you on your blogs once back in Down Under!

pretty peach tart

The last sweet recipe I posted was a peach pie. It was the result of Rufus’ “fresh peach tart” post. I really wanted to make the tart, but for a number of reasons, it morphed into a pie. So here’s attempt number 2. I got more than a few steps closer to the actual tart … Continue reading »

chilli sweet potato fries

If you’re after a party in your mouth, then this is the recipe you’re after. It’s packed with flavour, fried nutrition (:P), and loaded with texture to kick-start the best flavourful experience you’ll ever have. I’ll make an outright confession here: these aren’t as healthy as Rufus’ baked sweet potato fries, but they’re fries, so I’ll fry … Continue reading »

plush peach pie

When you wake up to hear crickets singing, there’s only one thing it can mean, and that is it’s summer! Alright, I lie, it’s only spring, but springs Down Under can get so hot, you lose yourself between the seasons, and activate Summer-Time mode immediately. : With summer, you get fresh peaches, nectarines, and all … Continue reading »

perfect pesto pasta

It’s been over 2 months… eep! I’ve been loitering around your blogs, enjoying the recipes you’ve posted, and protesting with time to slow down so I get the chance to cook up some of my own. Today, I’m going to share with you a recipe I love; it’s quick to make, healthy to munch on, … Continue reading »

canny kataifi cones

It’s certainly been a very long time since I last posted a recipe – I haven’t been doing as much cooking as I’d like, but my uni semester is almost over! And although I should probably be getting to my last bits of assessment and exam studies, I thought I’d share with you a little … Continue reading »

fanciful fruit pies

As winter is beginning to creep up on us, I’m wishing the warmth of Spring can come back quickly. Truth, however, I like colder months better, because you get to cosy up and enjoy a warm cuppa. I thought I’d bring some spring into the kitchen with this really easy fruit pie. Continue reading »

cheeky chocolate ajwa [choc stuffed shortbread cookie]

I’ve been itching to put up a post since last week. But with an overload of study to get done, long essays to write, and campaigns to run, there’s absolutely no time to even think about it! But since I’ve finished some 90% of what I planned on finishing by the end of today, I … Continue reading »

A Year on WordPress…

A year ago today… since its launch, fati’s recipes (and the blog owner) have lived through many memorable experiences… To celebrate, today I’m offering a classy giveaway, and a look into the past year… ♥ Continue reading »

smoked salmon scrambled eggs

Today I thought I’ll do a continuation from the previous recipe… I want to share with you a quick and healthy breakfast (or brunch) I recently decided to try after discovering something similar to it. I’m a lover of smoked salmon (took me a while), and like the occasional scrambled egg.. so I found this recipe to … Continue reading »

perfect ‘pita’ pockets

Now that I’ve delved deep into uni, I thought I’d share with you a quick and healthy recipe I love to make… especially that I’m pretty much always short on time… It’s going to be one of my big and bold claims, that I invented this, because I’ve never before seen it anywhere… not in … Continue reading »

scrumptious curry puffs

I wonder if anyone is finding today a particularly weird day. Because it’s the 29th of Feb. Since I don’t know if I’ll be here or alive after 4 years from now, I thought I’ll put up a recipe for the occasion. A while back I tried a recipe for 2-toned curry puffs I saw on Tes … Continue reading »

addictive ajwa [date stuffed shortbread cookie]

Sadly, today is the last day of my summer break. Very sadly. Tomorrow as I head off to uni, I know I’ll be missing all the moments I had in the kitchen during my holidays. And definitely wishing I had experienced some more. I learned, however, that although I’ve bookmarked, discovered or written down 10s … Continue reading »

lolling lentil soup [syrian style]

I’ve been so brain dead for the past few days. Like in the same way society scrutinises blondes for being dumb. Only tenfold worse. You see….. I’ve been aiming to get my driver’s license since August last year… I did a practical driving test on the 23rd Aug 2011… and after passing all the exam … Continue reading »

cogent cauliflower stew

I’m always in a battle when it comes down to cauliflower. Hence the name for this recipe card! Cauliflower always gives me this nice set of straightforward arguments as to why I should not hate it. And I’m always replying with illogical responses like “but you make people burp – like ew!” I don’t know … Continue reading »

teeming [soft] tortillas – burritos from scratch

A few months ago… actually, over 4/5 months ago I saw a recipe for soft tortillas. I bought copha. I never used it. Because I never made them. But the recipe, you see, looked quite an exciting thing to try considering it was so easy to make… you know, something I’m interested in usually boasts … Continue reading »

quaint qataayef asafeeri

This classical Arabian dessert was posted back in May of 2011… I’m revisiting it for a couple of reasons, first of which is the photography, then ingredients… I remember that time I made it, I had used a pancake mix because I was out of time… and the photography was a shocker because I had … Continue reading »

gallant grape leaves [yabraq]

Yabraq was something I grew up watching my mum and granny do… as kids, we were never allowed to roll grape leaves with them, but sometimes, if we were behaving extra good, we were allowed to take a leaf and filling and ‘pretend roll it’, meaning it never got into the pot after all – … Continue reading »

basic fruit basket

Now that summer’s over, I’m really looking forward to cooler nights and heartier food A few weeks back when the fruit drawer was overflowing, I made a very basic fruit basket and took it along to a little morning tea. I had plans to make it a bit more fancy, but I started just an … Continue reading »

fancy fataayer bil jibneh

Ehm… I-L-O-V-E-F-A-T-A-A-Y-E-R! If it helps to read it like this, then: I LOVE FATAAYER! I can’t explain to you how much I love this fat-full, carb-full, little delight. Back home in Syria, on the days you feel like it, you wake up, wash up, wear your clothes and head down to the “bakery” and order … Continue reading »

nightingale nests ['ish al-bulbul]

These little nests have always been a childhood favourite. I still love them, but I love so many other Arabian sweets, too, I don’t think I have a one-and-only-fave any more. In Arabic, these are called ‘ish al-bulbul where ‘ish means nest, and bulbul is the Arabic name for Nightingale. The pistachios within the kataifi … Continue reading »

comforting cheesy, meaty pasta pie

When I first saw a version of the recipe below, I was amazed. It’s such a fantastic idea to present pasta and meat this way! My version of the recipe is below (it’s almost the same as the original but only a little less on the comfort-food scale, because it’s important to keep ourselves in … Continue reading »

regal raspberry & white choc cheesecake

So you’d look at this recipe and think it’s perfectly perfect. But I’ll admit, it was due to a mistake (2+, actually) I made while I was attempting at making the “real” raspberry & white chocolate cheesecake recipe I have! So since it’s completely different to the recipe, I’m going to claim this a “fati’s … Continue reading »

suave sushi

Ehm. Just thought I’ll make a little announcement that YES, I’m still alive You may have caught me at your blog commenting on your amazing posts, but I’ve been so busy since last Monday, I think I missed all the online fun. Well, my blog did anyway   I’ve had family come up from the … Continue reading »

kingly knaafeh

Vic… Vic… Vic… WOW! When you told me you loved knaafeh, and would love to have some when you come over for brunch, I got super excited. Maybe because I’ve been wanting to make it for AGES, and maybe because it had also been AGES since I had last seen you (remember, the picnic at … Continue reading »

Syrian sheesh kabaab

I made these kabaabs by chance when abati said “what’s for lunch?”, and I said “we have left over rice, and I’m making salad”…. You know, rice and salad for lunch doesn’t make sense all that much for a Syrian. So he said, why not make some kabaab?! As he fired up the coals, I … Continue reading »

magical musaqa’ah

Musaqa’ah literally means “cold”. Of the very cold cold. But the tanginess, and let me tell you it’s served piping hot from the pot, is everything but musaqa’. If you’re having trouble reading this word, click on the link above, and click on the little speaker sign in Google Translate to hear it This dish has … Continue reading »

teaser truffles

As I once promised Charles over at Five Euro Food, today’s post is my super-simple truffle recipe. I love making the recipe when I’m short on time, but want something cute and presentable. These truffles also make a great present for any loved ones, especially those with a sweet tooth! I call them teasers, because … Continue reading »

tantalising [reverse] tiramisu

Been a while since I last posted… Or maybe I’m just feeling this because summer days are long here Down Under. As you may or may not be aware, this is my 100th post (finally!) I had plans to make a chocolate mousse cake, which I did make, but I felt that maybe this tiramisu … Continue reading »

ambient um ali

Today I have a few announcements to make. I’ll get to the point straight away, so that you can find yourself enjoying the easiness of this post’s recipe quickly. Announcement no. 1: This is my 99th post. It appears the norm is that every 100th post, something special is done. I thought of making my … Continue reading »

creamy chocolate cupcake cones

In continuation from the previous post, I thought I’d share my experience baking for a humble Eid Fest the community held on the day of Eid… So you see, I nominated myself to bake some treats to sell/donate in one of the little stalls at the fest. I finally decided, the day before, amidst my … Continue reading »

mubarak malteser chocolate cake

I hosted an iftar dinner party (of course in conjunction with mum, dad and sis) last night because it was Yawm Arafah (The Day of Arafat). We made lots of food, most of which I’ll post a recipe for one day, but today I want to share with you the Eid Mubarak cake I did. … Continue reading »