Filed under stovetop

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 »

lemon yoghurt syrup cake

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

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 »

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 »

canny kataifi cones

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 »

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 »

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 »

quaint qataayef asafeeri

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]

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 »

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 »

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 »

ambient um ali

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 »

mubarak malteser chocolate cake

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 »

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 »

jazzy jam doughnuts

jazzy jam doughnuts

Now that the semester is slowly coming to end, my classes have started to drop, and scramble time for exam study is shining bright. In the hours that I once spent sitting in lectures, I’ve decided to trash study and prep for my great Eid morning tea/lunch, and a Saturday iftar dinner party. All this … Continue reading »

ebullient breakkie egg

ebullient breakkie egg

Serves: 1 (or 2) Ingredients: 2 hard boiled eggs (they must be freshly cooked and hot) 10 sprigs parsley 1 small onion (use red onion if you can’t withstand the tanginess) salt, pepper, paprika, baharat or your favourite spices to taste   Method: Peel the eggs and mash roughly with a fork. Finely dice the … Continue reading »

breezy berry tart

breezy berry tart

I’ve had this magazine snippet since … way too long ago… Just a little cut out from a Woolworths magazine… I liked the idea or making such a simple yet elegant dessert so quickly.. I did a small variation to the original, but I’ll post the original recipe below…   Before I delve into that, … 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 »

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 »

radiant roti jala

radiant roti jala

When I first heard about this very gorgeous dish, I instantly wanted to make it. It’s SO easy! But of course, I had to wait for the mail man to deliver my roti jala mould first…. So when I saw this: And found this in it: I was really glad. Until I found out that … 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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

bodacious baked chicken & potato

bodacious baked chicken & potato

Serves: 4-6 Ingredients: 4 chicken thighs 4 medium-large potatoes 2 medium-large onions 5 tbs oil (olive, rice bran, vegetable, canola, doesn’t matter) 1 1/3 cup water salt, pepper, baharat Method: Remember to defrost the chicken thighs. Begin by washing and peeling the potatoes. Slice the potatoes. You want them a little bit thick, about 0.8 cm … 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 »

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 »

luxurious lasagne muffins

luxurious lasagne muffins

Yields: ~ 10 Ingredients: Lasagne: 2 – 4 lasagne sheets (depends on the size) grated cheese (I used tasty) Meat mixture: 150 – 170 g minced meat 1 large onion, finely diced 1 1/2 tbs tomato sauce 3 tbs barbecue sauce 1 tsp soy sauce 3 tbs tomato paste salt, pepper, baharat, paprika is optional … Continue reading »

charming chicken strips

charming chicken strips

I usually put photos of the steps involved when making my dishes, but this one’s too easy, so I opted out the step-photos and put in some of the final-dish pics instead Just to get your taste buds moving… This recipe follows it’s former: captivating pan-bbq chicken, I did a few changes, just for a change, not because the original … Continue reading »