Filed under vegetable

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 ‘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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

monumental mac & cheese

monumental mac & cheese

Serves: 8 Ingredients: 350g (or 4 cups) ribbed penne pasta (can use elbows, or other shapes… if you’re using gluten free pasta, just skip the breadcrumbs) 1/2 cup breadcrumbs 3 tbs butter 3 tbs plain flour 1 1/2 cup milk 2 cups shredded cheese (your favourite type will do) salt, pepper, baharat   Method: In a … Continue reading »

cheery cheddar cheese crackers

cheery cheddar cheese crackers

We saw her get freshly pressed for it. We read her creative idea. Now it’s time for her destructive turn. Yields: ~ 70 Ingredients: 2 cups grated Colby cheese (the type you use does make a difference) 1 cup plain white flour 4tbs butter 1/2 tsp onion salt/powder 1/2 tsp ground black pepper orange food colouring … Continue reading »

sinisterly pleasing stuffed potato

sinisterly pleasing stuffed potato

For other recipes using a zucchini corer, follow this link REPOST! Earlier this year (in April) I posted a recipe card about stuffing potatoes. I made it again more recently, and I thought that it’s best to repost the recipe card because the other one was my first try…and just because I can Half this post … Continue reading »

royal rice and peas

royal rice and peas

Serves: 4 Ingredients: 2 1/2 cup short grain white rice 2 cup frozen peas 1/2 cup almonds, peeled 1 1/2 cup tap water salt, pepper, baharat optional: red meat (mince, flakes, cubes – your choice); or a variety of vegetables, such as slices of carrot   Method: Soak the rice for no less than an … Continue reading »

nifty naan pizza

I have a serious problem with my oven. I don’t like it. It’s my enemy in cooking. It burns my food. It turns off half way through the cooking process. It browns the top of my cake, but not the bottom. It. Makes. My. Pizza. Crusts. Harder. Than. RocK. fati… …you have to find a … Continue reading »

goodbye grandma: suitcase cake

So a few weeks ago, it was time for my grandmother, who is filled with the most delicious traditional recipes one can’t find anymore, had to go back to her home country after a couple-month stay here at Down Under. And boy was it hard say goodbye.   I didn’t know how I should let … Continue reading »

glamorous green beans

glamorous green beans

Serves: 4 Ingredients: 500 g grean beans 4 cups water 4 tbs tomato paste 150 g minced meat 1 medium onion, finely diced 10 peppercorns salt, pepper, baharat (preferably Syrian) – which I once called “mixed spice”     Method: Wash the green beans and cut the ends off. Next slice each bean into thirds/quarters. You … Continue reading »

gleaming guacamole

gleaming guacamole

I realised with guacamole that there are two types of recipes. Ones with tomato and onion, others with sour cream. I personally love the smoothness of the sour cream recipe, so this is my version below (perhaps one that’s at least 100′s people’s version, too??) Serves: makes a fairly large plate Ingredients: 3 small-medium ripe avocados 200 … Continue reading »

passionate pancakes

passionate pancakes

Serves: ~ 5 Ingredients: 375 g pancake mix (for the lazy cooks!) 1 tsp strawberry jam (per pancake) powdered vanilla seasonal berries or hazelnuts Method: Prepare your pancake mix. Spray a large, flat pan on medium heat. Use your finger to oil the inside of a heart-shaped egg molder. Place the molder in the pan Fill … Continue reading »

mesmerising makdous

mesmerising makdous

Makdous. Magdous. Maqdous. Call it what you want. So long you eat it. This dish is based on the olden day methods of storing food for winter when little produce was available. Basically, it’s eggplant stuffed with capsicum and walnuts, cured in oil to produce the most divine tangy taste eggplant could ever give the … Continue reading »

candid citricade

candid citricade

Candid Citricade – Why Just Lemonade? Serves: 6 Ingredients: 6 medium yellow grapefruits 1 large red grapefruit 2 oranges 1 mandarin 2 1/4 cup white sugar (or to taste) 500 mL cold water   Method: Wash the fruit if you’re a perfectionist Cut the fruits in half. I used an electric juicer because I don’t … Continue reading »

prudish potato salad

prudish potato salad

This recipe is inspired by the simple thinking Arabian cuisine undertakes. Potato salad = potato + salad. Where ever did mayo get into the story? Perfect for those who don’t like mayo Serves: 4 Ingredients: 1 large potato 1 medium tomato 1 Lebanese cucumber 1 cup chopped lettuce 1 spring onion, finely diced 1 medium … Continue reading »

poised potato mash

poised potato mash

Serves: 2 Ingredients: 1 1/4 cup potato cubes 1/4 cup milk (lactose free, lite, whole – doesn’t matter) 1 tbs butter (make sure it’s not a heaped tbs!) 1 clove garlic, crushed (optional) fresh chives or spring onion (optional) salt, pepper, mixed spice, dried mint, za’tar (dried thyme) Method: Cook the potato cubes in boiling … Continue reading »

flawless fatoosh

flawless fatoosh

Serves: 6 Ingredients: 1/3 lettuce 2 medium cucumbers 2 medium tomatoes 1 carrot, finely grated 1 spring onion 1/2 cup black olives 2 – 3 cloves garlic, crushed 1/3 cup white vinegar 1 Lebanese pita bread juice of half a medium lemon 10 parsley sprigs, finely chopped handful fresh mint, finely chopped pinch of: salt and … Continue reading »

tempting tisqeeyah

tempting tisqeeyah

A tempting tisqeeyah is a mix of hummus, pita bread, sesame paste, ghee and parsley… Can’t go past it. Can’t live without it. I take no blame for any cardiatric related health problems that occur as a result of the excessive consumption of ghee-drenched tisqeeyah. Apparently tisqeeyah means “quenching” Serves: 6 Ingredients: 1 cup cooked garbanzo beans/chickpeas/hummus … Continue reading »

recipe request: zesty za’tar

recipe request: zesty za’tar

I’ll class this as a recipe request, although I’ll honestly note I didn’t make this recipe (only because it’s available here to buy ready). If one day we suddenly stop seeing za’tar in stores, then I’ll put it together myself. So… This is my third “recipe request” post. The dish – Za’tar. The recipe card … Continue reading »

yummy yoghurt-cucumber salad

yummy yoghurt-cucumber salad

Yummy yoghurt & cucumber salad – perfect for any hot day! Serves: 8 Ingredients: 8 heaped tablespoons of Greek-style yoghurt (or your favourite yoghurt) 1-2 medium cucumbers 1 clove garlic, crushed (optional) pinch of salt, dried-crushed mint Method: Add the yoghurt into a serving bowl. Peel the cucumber and slice in half vertically (better if … Continue reading »

poignant pistachio baqlawa

poignant pistachio baqlawa

for my other baqlawa recipe, click here. Yields: 35+ pieces Ingredients: Baqlawa + stuffing: 20 filo pastry sheets 2 1/2 cups raw pistachios, shelled 2/3 cup sugar 1/4 tsp cinnamon 1/4 tsp rosewater (or to taste – or any flavouring you like, eg. orange blossom) 4 tbs butter, melted Rose water syrup: 2 cups white … Continue reading »

zippy zucchini dip

zippy zucchini dip

Keeping the safflower whole gives a really nice colour to the dish.. Serves: 4 Ingredients: 7 white zucchinis 2 – 3 cloves garlic 1/2 onion, finely diced 1/3 cup tap water pinch of: salt, pepper, mixed spice, safflower, mint (dried + crushed) Method: Note: this recipe goes hand-in-hand with another recipe (sheikh) that uses the … Continue reading »