Filed under main meals

pizza margherita [and base]

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 »

karen’s smoked salmon pizza

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

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 »

petite pumpkin soup

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 »

chilli sweet potato fries

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 »

perfect pesto pasta

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 »

A Year on WordPress…

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

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

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

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 »

lolling lentil soup [syrian style]

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

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 »

gallant grape leaves [yabraq]

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

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

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]

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

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 »

suave sushi

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

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

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

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 »

zesty za’tar potatoes

zesty za’tar potatoes

I came home from uni a couple of weeks ago, and found a plate of gorgeous looking potatoes sitting there waiting for me! I asked who’d made them, and how, but I was answered with a question. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to guess everything in this recipe card, but that didn’t matter, because I loved … Continue reading »

dandy dinner: chicken & potato

dandy dinner: chicken & potato

A couple of weeks ago, I decided that I wanted to make dinner for the family.. Having asked mum for some ideas, we concluded that that night we were going to have chicken and roast potato… and some left overs from the night before. I think this humble yet dandy dinner is good for those … Continue reading »

miniature mansaf

miniature mansaf

Mansaf. Oh Oh Oh. Mansaf. You know what mansaf is, right? It’s that dish which many Arabs make. It’s that dish that makes me cringe when I see it on the table. It’s that dish that so very unethically goes to waste when everyone’s full. Because it’s just two things (ultimately). Rice. Meat. Or rather, … Continue reading »

macho mansaf roast meat

macho mansaf roast meat

Mansaf is a rice and meat dish, which I will go into in the next post… (to be posted very soon)… The meat used for mansaf is usually not very flavoursome, so I’ve come to make an amazing roast to replace it! Below is a recipe for the roast only, in the coming post, I … Continue reading »

convivial chocolate cupcakes

convivial chocolate cupcakes

I can’t believe this recipe! It’s like the cupcake recipe I was after! But that’s not to say it will come further than the next muffin recipe I plan to make… Why put a candle there? These cupcakes will fill the house with a divine scent of cocoa What I love about this one, is … Continue reading »

fantastic (fool-proof) fried rice

fantastic (fool-proof) fried rice

I’ve seen lots of fried rice in my life. Some have weird vegetables, some have chunky veggies, others have meat, some have tofu, I prefer chicken, seen a lot with egg on top. Despite all the fried rice I’ve seen, I still make this really simple one that is packed with flavour. I love it … Continue reading »

the SLC

Ehm. Still alive. Just not blogging. Since I started something called uni – there has been very little time to do anything but stress over assignments and waking up early after a very late night of study. I miss home life – I really got used to it for …how many months?!   So anyway, … Continue reading »

monkeys that can cook!

Today’s post is dedicated to my two little monkeys. Yes: we fall into arguments. Yes: we sometimes wish to pull each other’s hair. Yes: we always pretend like nothing ever happened, and just move along – talk about mild dementia! Yes: no matter what goes and comes, I’m always your loving older sis who tells you … Continue reading »

keen kawaaj: potato-tomato-meat

keen kawaaj: potato-tomato-meat

I really feel for this dish. It’s so underestimated. It’s keen to be recognised. It’s keen on giving you heartburn and acidity peaks. Serves: 4-6 Ingredients: 3 large potatoes, srubbed and peeled 180g minced red meat 10 medium tomatoes 2 medium onions 1/4 cup finely diced parsley or, 1/2 cup pine nuts salt, pepper, baharat … Continue reading »

baffling burger muffins

baffling burger muffins

If you read the proper parathas post, then you’ll know why I made these. After a lovely dinner, what do you have? Another dinner? Or dessert? How about a dinner for dessert? Yields: 24 Ingredients: 2 x standard vanilla muffin recipe (that yields 12), totalling 24 1 x standard chocolate muffin recipe (that yields 12) … Continue reading »

proper parathas

proper parathas

It’s winter. And the days are a lot shorter here. Which is great since I get to sleep in for longer. But it’s not so when I’m in a flurry to get everything ready by 5pm. Because a flock of loved ones are arriving soon after.   Child minding, cleaning and cooking for one who … Continue reading »

humble heart burgers

humble heart burgers

When my granny made these meat patties a few months ago, I stayed right away. If I could be a vegetarian, I honestly wouldn’t hold back. The veggie in me isn’t because of animal friendliness (rather, I have a morbid fear of every animal alive), it’s just because I’m no fan of red meat – … Continue reading »

fervent falafel

fervent falafel

Beware street food lovers. This falafel recipe is gourmet…it’s the traditional recipe made by great grannies. If you want that downtown taste, skip the coriander and halve the garlic. And don’t be too generous with the spices. Ingredients: 1 kg dried chickpeas (garbanzo beans), soaked overnight 1 large bunch of coriander (cilantro), roughly chopped 1 … Continue reading »

meaty monster mash

meaty monster mash

I was digging through my Jurassic-old files the other day, and came across this: Stop calling it cute! It’s supposed to be a scary monster!! Amazing, I thought. That was done back in the day when I was a fresh year eleven-er. During my first Home Economics class. I still remember the criteria we had … Continue reading »

frozen french chocolate tart

frozen french chocolate tart

Simon Wright. What can I say? Your recipe looked a lot more promising than Al’s….but hey, it still didn’t work out! But if anyone’s to blame, it’d be me this time, because there were some mistakes I made which I should have been more careful of. a) I forgot to turn down the oven – it … Continue reading »

charismatic chocolate chip cupcakes

charismatic chocolate chip cupcakes

If you read my kitchen disaster rant, then you’ll know where these muffins came from. Yes. A cookie recipe. It’s a miracle they worked out, and tasted good, too. Maybe my kitchen disaster wasn’t so bad after all Yields: 12 (this is minus the 6 tsps of batter I used for the failed cookies) Ingredients: 2 1/4 … Continue reading »

classic chocolate chip cookie sandwich

The past couple of days were completely disastrous… Only from a kitchen point of view. NOTE: if you’ve come looking for a recipe, not a rant, then be sure to read the “brighter note” at the end of this post. So I’ve got these great looking recipes from a food mag, one, a classic chocolate-chip … Continue reading »