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

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

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 »

sentimental sweet chilli sauce & spring rolls

Today was a day of “if only”-s. If only .. If only.. If only.. Fried ones on the left, baked ones one the right Today was also the day that I made an official decision that Asian cooking is that area which I sometimes struggle with. And that it takes a LONG time. Like 2 hours. … Continue reading »

best oreo biscuits

As delightful as this recipe was, is as tragic as it was. So having bought my new camera, I took snaps here and there of these amazing homemade Oreo cookies, but my unreliable SD card didn’t save all of them! Sadly, because of this, you all miss out on the succulency of the dough before it’s baked. … Continue reading »

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 »

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

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

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 »

divine double choc muffins

So you may have seen my other divine double choc muffin recipe, the one I made as per a recipe request. Yes, that one is really yummy… but my gosh, this one is really good, too! I want to thank Steph yet again for her chocoholic-ness and amazing recipes. I’m glad she’s doing all the … Continue reading »

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

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 »

opulent oreo, cream & berry pie

Last night I got into bed way past my bedtime. I wonder if you can guess what I was doing up so late….. ?? Don’t let your very imaginative minds take you on imaginative paths: I was doing my java assignment! Today I submitted two uni assignments: one that was all in java, the other … Continue reading »

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 »

iftaar dinner party & show

I’m a bit unsure of where to start. It’s only 8.30 here but it feels like it’s midnight. Yes, I’m taking out another breather from study: I’m too tired to study anyway…so why not put up a post? On a gorgeous Saturday morning, when you wake up from your bed, and stroll into the kitchen…and … 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 »

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

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 »

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 »

alluring artichokes

Alluring Artichokes – Colourful and healthy   Serves: 4-5 Ingredients: 1/2 kg artichoke bottoms (I think you can get a packet of frozen ones which have up to 10 bottoms) 1/3 cup pine nuts 150-180g minced meat 1 med-large carrot, finely diced into cubes 1 cup pea pods 1 medium onion, finely diced citric acid, salt, … Continue reading »

shimmering shish barak

Shish barak with coriander in the yoghurt Serves: 6 Ingredients: Shish Barak Dough: 2 1/2 plain or wholemeal flour (or a combination of both) 1/4 cup water 1 egg 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp sugar Shish Barak Filling: 180g minced meat 10 sprigs coriander, finely diced 1 medium onion, finely diced salt, pepper, mixed spice … Continue reading »

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

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 »