Tagged with pictured recipes

pretty peach tart

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

creamy chocolate cupcake cones

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 »

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 »

best oreo biscuits

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

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

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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

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 »

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 »

alluring artichokes

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

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

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 »

precious pomegranate juice

precious pomegranate juice

It’s so tasty, there was only a glass left for 3 people to share. Next time, I’ll sticky tape my mouth when doing this! Serves: 4 Ingredients: 8 medium pomegranates (even if they’re partially unripe) 1/2 cup sugar water Method: Cut the pomegranates in half. Seed the pomegranates using your preferred method. The one I use … 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 »