Mango pickle
Mango pickles (called amba )always remind me of Iraq, when I first tasted this condiment with the famous grilled fish (masgoof) by the banks of the Tigris in Baghdad. Velvety, peppery from the chilis and tangy. The permutation of spices here is infinite. Easy to prepare too (about 15 minutes). ...
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Carrot almond tart
Christine Ferber is a celebrated pastry chef in France. She is especially known for her jams and preserves. One of her books landed on my lap the other day, Mes Tartes Sucrées et salées and I was riveted. This carrot tarte uses an almond cream (crème frangipane), and combines it...
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Red lentil patties
I learned about this dish through my friend Asma, who is of Kurdish origin. She calls it adass ballou3. It has all the attributes of a warm weather meal; it is served at room temperature with fresh veggies and a glass of ayran. Light, but filling. Easy to master and...
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Saffron/Cantaloupe smoothie
I brought saffron with me from Dubai. The heat index here in Beirut did not call for a huge biryani. I had to come-up with something refreshing that would pass muster. The twenty-something that I hang out with are smoothie experts. They approved. Inhaled, in fact. INGREDIENTS: 2 servings 1...
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Brownies with fig jam
These should be called Marie’s brownies; my eight-year old niece came up with the idea of adding dried fig jam to the dough. Her face beamed when I told her these brownies would bear her name on the blog. Marie had been planning since the age of six to become a chef. Last weekend,...
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Eggplant and tomato dip (Mirza Ghassemi)
My childhood friend Constantin took me out in Dubai to a really fancy Iranian restaurant, knowing that I love Iranian cuisine. He ordered a medley of dishes including this one called mirza ghassemi, which I had never tasted before. One bite and I was enraptured. It was light, full of...
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Pomegranate drink
This drink is inspired by a punch I had at a beach wedding in Lebanon; one of these lavish weddings that take place in the country, making you feel like you are in a world of fairy tales. To reproduce this drink, I am going to insist that fresh...
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Pasta fritters
This is an easy (and yummy) way to get rid of leftovers and turn them into a “new dish”. Grab some spaghetti or angel hair pasta lurching in the bottom of a bowl, all your veggies in the bin, a few eggs, and make fritters! INGREDIENTS: 1 cup of cooked...
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Tuna and potato fritters
A quick and fun appetizer using leftovers and a can (or two) of tuna. An added plus is that you can make double the quantity, store them in the fridge, and grab a few whenever hungry. INGREDIENTS: 24 small balls 2 cans of tuna (6 oz), drained 2 cups mashed...
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