Tagged with step by step recipes

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

divine double choc muffins

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

stylish sheikh

stylish sheikh

“Sheikh” is the Islamic equivalent of the Christian “priest” I wonder what makes this dish called that! Serves: 7 Ingredients: Sheikh zucchinis: 7 medium white/Lebanese zucchinis 1/3 cup pine nuts 180 g minced meat pinch of salt, pepper, mixed spice Sheikh yoghurt: 900 g plain Greek yoghurt (or your favourite type) 1 1/2 tbs cornflour dissolved … 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 »

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 »

cunning chicken curry

cunning chicken curry

Serves: 8 Ingredients: 1 bag (375g) curry simmer sauce – I used butter chicken flavour 800g breast chicken (approx 4-5) 3 large potatoes 300 mL coconut cream [can substitute with sour cream, Greek yoghurt, coconut milk, etc] 2 cups water 1 tbs tomato sauce 1 tbs tomato paste 1 tbs barbecue sauce The spices: pinch … Continue reading »

glorious garlic prawns

glorious garlic prawns

Serves: 6 Ingredients: 300g pre-cooked cocktail prawns (with their tails on!) 1/3 cup white vinegar 1/2 green capsicum 1/4 red capsicum (optional) 1 onion 2-3 cloves garlic, crushed 1/4 lemon 1/2 tbs tomato paste 1/2 tbs tomato sauce 1/2 tbs bbq sauce pinch of salt, pepper, mixed spice, & paprika is optional Method: Thaw the … Continue reading »

recipe request: mouthwatering marble cake

recipe request: mouthwatering marble cake

This is my first “recipe request” post. The dish – marble cake. The recipe card – below. Serves: 8 Ingredients: For an 8 inch round baking tray: 1 1/4 cup plain flour 1/2 cup milk 1/2 cup vegetable oil or butter (when solid) 2 tsps baking powder 1 tsp vanilla extract powder (+ any flavouring … 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 »

omnipotent [stuffed] okra

omnipotent [stuffed] okra

Stuffed okra – couldn’t get a decent photo of them Everyone was in a hurry to eat! Serves: 4 Ingredients: 12 large okra 100g minced meat 1/4 cup pine nuts (optional) 2-3 tbs tomato paste 1/3 cup fresh coriander, finely diced 2 cloves garlic pinch of: salt, pepper, mixed spice Method: In a pan, add the … Continue reading »

amazing awaamah puffs

amazing awaamah puffs

Try not to eat them all before you share with others…. Serves: 15 Ingredients: Awaamah dough: 4 cups plain flour or 3 1/3 cups plain flour and 2/3 cup wholemeal flour 3/4 tsp yeast dissolved in 1 cup warm water 1 tsp black onion seed or sesame seeds 1 3/4 cup warm water 1 tsp sugar … Continue reading »

superb spinach stuffed pies

Serves: 8 Ingredients: Dough: The recipe for the dough can be found here 1 egg for glazing Stuffing: 1/2 bunch spinach, roughly chopped 1/4 cup walnuts, roughly chopped 1 tbs cumin pinch of salt, pepper, mixed spice Method: In a large pan, add the spinach, onion and 1/4 cup water. Cook through for a minute. … Continue reading »

delectable deceiving drumsticks

delectable deceiving drumsticks

The only remaining drumstick. They ate the rest before I could even take a photo! Serves: 8 Ingredients: 1  1/2 chicken breast, diced [1] 1  1/4 cup breadcrumbs 4 puff pastry sheets 1 egg 2 large potatoes 1 carrot, grated 1 medium onion, diced 1 clove garlic (optional) 1/8 wong bok or any cabbage (optional), diced … Continue reading »

beehive – stuffed bread rolls

beehive – stuffed bread rolls

Use the “Golden Dough” recipe to make an even tastier bread roll! Serves: 6 Ingredients: 3 cup plain flour 1 cup warm water 1 tbs yeast 1 tbs sugar 1 egg 1/2 tbs salt 1/2 cup oil[1] 1/2 tps honey 3 Kiri cream cheese pieces[2] 6 pitted dates[2] black onion seed (optional) Method: Combine the … Continue reading »