Cranberry quick bread
This bread is truly quick (I don’t even bother measuring the ingredients) and, according to my son (who ate one mini loaf in one sitting), truly delicious. The bread is fluffy, light, and loaded with fresh cranberries. A perfect holiday hostess gift too, and you can freeze them for...
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Scones with fresh cranberries
What is your favorite Thanksgiving food? Mine is cranberries. Even though these are not native to Lebanon, they are sold there in supermarkets imported from …the US. I made these this morning (it took less than 30 minutes with my beloved food processor), thinking about Agatha Christie...
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Rocky road chocolate cupcake
This has been an easy low-key Thanksgiving year, with only one request from son: French onion soup AND something chocolate (my request to myself). Well, if you are part of the die-hard chocoholics club (and all my friends are), you will enjoy this cupcake and the rocky road trimmings. Here...
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Furnace in traditional home (Sobiyah)
In most traditional homes in the Lebanese rural areas, this furnace (sobiyah) is used to heat the home. It is also used to make tea or heat food. A few logs are swiftly lit-up and it feels toasty warm within minutes. Now the family, neighbors and friends can gather around,...
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Biryani with meatballs
This rice pilaf called biryani is popular all over the Middle-East, especially in the Gulf countries and Iraq. In fact, one could easily write a book on biryanis, and how they are cooked all across Asia. My favorite method is Persian. For one, it is easy and versatile. Once...
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Cheese-stuffed pastries
My grandmother Téta Nabiha, used to make us these dainty turnovers (called sambusek) on a regular basis, stuffed with ground meat. Her nimble little hands folding the lower fold over, pinching them delicately and oh so evenly. She’d first moisten the flour with ghee (called samneh) then add water...
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Turnip in molasses
This is a Middle-Eastern inspired side dish, suitable for a Thanksgiving table. In Iraq, turnips are cooked in a broth with date molasses, and this dish is called shalgham. Incidentally, the French add a sprinkle of sugar to their turnips too. Turnips tend to be slightly sour so adding molasses...
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Almond brittle (Sahoon)
An easy candy to make at home, this is made of just toasted almonds mixed with a caramel. It is called sahoon in Iraq where it is popular. I had it once at an Iranian Bazaar in Beirut, where it is mixed with bits of pistachios and maybe a...
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Fatteh
In this episode of my cooking show, I show you how to make Fatteh, an ancient recipe that is still popular today in Lebanon! If you like what you see, check out my book and other recipes at www.TasteofBeirut.com Fatteh | Taste of Beirut Shot on location in the Chouf...
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