The Legendary Cuisine of Persia (Margaret Shaida)
I noticed this book on my shelf one day, pondering for a few moments how on earth it found its way there, then grabbed it and started reading. A few pages into it, I realized I was holding a gem. On the plus side: This book is a joy for...
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Zaatar salad
This is the epitome of the rural, traditional salad found in all Lebanese village homes. Lebanese folks would go out to forage some wild zaatar (wild oregano, called zubayr) and get back to make a quick salad. This salad is dressed with olive oil and a squeeze of lemon juice or...
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Berry Brownies
Nothing beats brownies. I was waiting for someone to show-up and I made these on an impulse, from scratch (of course). The tanginess of the berries cuts into the richness of the chocolate. A friend of my daughter’s who was around at the time, tasted one and raved about it....
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Wheat berry stew
This dish is found in one form or another throughout the region. In Lebanon, it is called hreesseh, in the Armenian community, in Syria, in Iraq. I am using a Kurdish version from Chef Asma Zeito (originally from Turkey). It is definitely a stick-to-your-ribs kind of meal, perfect for a cold...
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Valentine cookies
I had decided to have my niece (8) and nephew (6) over for a Valentine cookie party. I just had no time available so I made the dough in about ten minutes, kept it in the fridge and we rolled it out when they showed-up. Fun time! INGREDIENTS: 60 small...
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Meringue with berries (quick and easy)
I only had 15 minutes to make “something” for Valentine, in order to entertain my 6 and 8-year old nephew and niece. This is a non-pretentious, no measuring required, easy peasy, even “healthy” dessert. Their mom who watches their diet like a hawk ( their school forbids chocolate or candies...
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Meatballs in cherry sauce (Kebab karaz)
This is a wonderful, festive yet easy recipe from Syria (Aleppo) also prepared in the Armenian kitchens of the region. I did not get the specific cherries from Aleppo (for obvious reasons) but used instead sour cherries I found at the Iranian exhibit in Beirut. The cherries have the perfect...
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Muhammara dip with labneh
This dip was a last minute inspiration. I had bought several pounds of beautiful Iranian walnuts (orders were placed from relatives) at the Iranian exhibit downtown. Big and gorgeous whitish walnuts. I made muhammara, of course, and it occurred to me that it would taste good combined with labneh. Sure...
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Applesauce cake (Nick Malgieri)
The legendary apples of Lebanon! When I first moved to the States thirty years ago, I would invariably get the comment: “did you live in a desert with camels?” I would answer:” no, Lebanon is mostly mountains and valleys and covered in orchards!” In our house in the Chouf, we...
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