https://www.middleeastmonitor.com Latest news from the Middle East and North Africa Tue, 08 Aug 2023 14:06:58 +0000 en-GB Middle East Monitor 30 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.2.2 https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/favicon.png?fit=32%2C32&quality=85&strip=all&zoom=1&ssl=1 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com 32 32 116394717 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230805-hnaina-eggs-and-dates/ Sat, 05 Aug 2023 09:10:16 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657067 When people think of breakfast, eggs are usually one of the first things that come to mind. They are super popular, with every culture making them their own way, adding ingredients that are popular in their cuisine; from cheese, to bacon, potatoes, tomatoes and much more. Today's recipe, Hnaina, includes an ingredient we don't usually pair with eggs, but believe me, once you try it, you'll wonder why more people aren't having it. That special ingredient is dates. Hnaina is usually made in Iraq as a pre-dawn meal during the month of Ramadan, as it is perfect to keep you full and energised for a day of fasting. A version of this dish is also made in Iran. It is […]]]> 657067 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230722-menemen/ Sat, 22 Jul 2023 09:10:13 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=652597 As part of my breakfast series, we are travelling to Turkiye for a well-known egg dish served at most restaurants, known as menemen. This delicious dish consists of scrambled eggs with tomatoes, peppers and onions and is said to have originated in the Turkish town Menemen located in Izmir. One of the things I love about this dish is that it is a one pan wonder and requires nothing more than a little bit of chopping and sautéing and you end up with deliciously velvety and flavourful eggs. Of course, as is the case with many dishes, everyone makes their Menemen differently, some omitting the onions or peppers, others adding tomato paste or spicy chillies. It is really up to […]]]> 652597 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230708-fattet-hummus/ Sat, 08 Jul 2023 09:29:50 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=649535 With everyone home during the summer vacation, I always find that we make more of an effort to make breakfast special and what better way than to try some great Middle Eastern dishes? This is what inspired my breakfast series, 6 videos with 6 dishes, to give you a taste of the Middle East first thing in the morning. Our first dish is one that is near and dear to my heart, fattet hummus. We all know by now that everyone in the Middle East has their own way of making classic dishes, and this is definitely a matter of personal taste; from the amount of bread you use, whether you blend your chickpeas or keep them whole, and even […]]]> 649535 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230624-harissa-shamia/ Sat, 24 Jun 2023 09:45:30 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=646117 We all know the Middle East loves their desserts, and many of them are semolina based. I am always so amazed at how many ways we've managed to use semolina and how grinding it to different degrees gives you such a variety of textures and dishes. I have made several variations of semolina cakes, known as harissa, basbousa, or namoura. These names are used by different Arab countries and they each add their own touch and version of the semolina cake doused in sugary syrup. We've had it with coconut, stuffed with cream and even used condensed milk instead of syrup. Each of these cakes have their own flavour but what they have in common is the use of semolina […]]]> 646117 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230610-sanuna-jambari/ Sat, 10 Jun 2023 09:45:30 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=642714 Seafood is definitely a polarising food, you either love it or hate it. I personally love it and am always looking for new seafood recipes. The best part about seafood is that it cooks really quickly, making it the perfect mid-week protein, and just a few ingredients make something absolutely delicious. I was really excited when I found this Yemeni dish, known as sanunat jambari, meaning shrimp stew. It is so easy to make and really flavourful. I like that the ingredients are generally things we already have at home, and really the only thing needed is the shrimp. You could use fresh or frozen shrimp for this dish, they both taste great, you'd just need to cook the frozen […]]]> 642714 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230527-masoub/ Sat, 27 May 2023 09:10:53 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=639152 I generally like moving from one country to another. I enjoy the exposure to different cultures, meeting new people and my favourite part has to be trying new foods! However, I definitely crave the foods I leave behind and one of the foods I found difficult to find is masoub, a bread and banana pudding of sorts. Funnily enough, I didn't really enjoy it when I lived in Saudi Arabia, where it is very popular, although it is believed to originate in Yemen – specifically Hadramout. A few years after I moved to London I started missing masoub and really started to love it when my husband tried his hand at recreating it at home. It doesn't taste exactly as […]]]> 639152 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230513-dakwa-salad/ Sat, 13 May 2023 09:15:05 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=634773 I'm pretty sure I am not alone when I say that Sudanese food has definitely been slept on. This rich and unique cuisine has so many amazing dishes and distinctive flavour combinations, influenced by various other cuisines, but always adding its own special touch. I am so excited to share this recipe with everyone because it is so good and moreish, I couldn't stop myself from going back for more. Dakwa in the Sudanese dialect means peanut butter, or rather, peanut paste. It is traditionally a peanut powder that is used in many Sudanese dishes, both savoury and sweet. I myself love peanuts and peanut butter in all their shapes and forms, but I usually associate peanuts being used in […]]]> 634773 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230429-farmouza/ Sat, 29 Apr 2023 10:00:47 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=631324 Street food is arguably the best food in every country. It is a way to experience the culture like a local and it is one of my favourite ways to discover any country I visit. When I first moved to Saudi Arabia, I was keen on trying all of the street foods I could find and Farmoza became a quick favourite. These delicious parcels stuffed with aromatic meat are found on carts and in little shops around the country. They are usually sold with a steamed version, called Mantu, which is very similar to a type of dumpling called Manti made across Asia, the Caucasus, the Balkans and Afghanistan. One of my favourite snacks was a portion of baked Farmoza […]]]> 631324 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230415-libyan-magrood/ Sat, 15 Apr 2023 10:00:38 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=628313 Most Middle Eastern countries have some sort of date cookie on holidays such as Eid, Christmas and Easter. I am always so impressed by the many variations of dates and dough we've managed to come up with, each with its own distinct flavour, texture and shape. I am always on the hunt for new date cookies to add to my Eid table and I've been eyeing up Libya's famous magrood for years. I was always intimidated by them and wanted to do them justice, but after admiring them from afar, I finally mustered the courage to try them out and I am so happy I did! They are absolutely delicious. Magrood or magroot, which means cut into pieces, is made […]]]> 628313 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230408-hala-qahwa-coffee-dessert/ Sat, 08 Apr 2023 08:00:16 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=626903 I have mentioned before that I've lived in several countries throughout my life and this has definitely influenced me in so many ways, not the least of which is the food I enjoy. I carry recipes and food traditions with me from everywhere I've lived and today's recipe is something I picked up from my time in Saudi Arabia. Hala qahwa, which translates to coffee dessert, doesn't actually refer to a specific dessert, but rather to small, in many cases bite-sized desserts that are usually served with the deliciously bitter Arabic coffee. Many of these desserts have dates in them, but they can be made out of anything. They are usually simple and easy and something you have lying around […]]]> 626903 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230401-date-and-lamb-tagine/ Sat, 01 Apr 2023 09:00:38 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=623313 I absolutely adore Moroccan cuisine. It has such wonderful flavours that are so deep and complex. One of my favourite Moroccan dishes is lamb tagine with prunes and that was the inspiration for today's dish. Instead of prunes, I used dates and the flavours work so well together. The meaty lamb with the sweet dates is a match made in heaven. Although tagines, Moroccan stews, are usually cooked in tagines, which is also the name of the clay pots used to cook the stews, I find cooking this dish in a cast iron, Dutch oven, or heavy bottom pot on low heat also works well. The best part about this dish is that it takes very little active time to […]]]> 623313 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230325-middle-eastern-inspired-date-salad/ Sat, 25 Mar 2023 10:00:48 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=622920 When it comes to Ramadan foods, the first thing we think of is dates. These little sweet gems are the most traditional food that grace our Ramadan tables every year. There are a few foods that are delicious year-round but become an everyday food during the month of fasting, like sambousek, soups and salads. I love to get creative with my salads in Ramadan and am always trying to make them more exciting and delicious. The theme for my Ramadan series this year is dates, and I immediately knew I wanted to make a salad with dates in it, but in addition to dates, I used date molasses, an ingredient I've started using regularly in both savoury and sweet dishes. […]]]> 622920 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230211-kashke-bademjan/ Sat, 11 Feb 2023 10:04:51 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=613966 I am always a sucker for a good dip, and when it has aubergines, it is even more appealing. Aubergines are one of the vegetables that people either love or hate, and if you love it, there are so many ways you can have it, fried, roasted and stuffed are just a few ways we make it in the Middle East. This delicious Persian dip, kashke bademjan, is similar to the Levant's baba ghanoush or mutabbal, and is one of the most popular Persian appetisers, found on almost every Persian restaurant menu. It consists of roasted aubergine, which is bademjan and kashke, a fermented yogurt used in many Persian dishes. This dip has so many flavours, and hits all the […]]]> 613966 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20221008-makarona-bechamel/ Sat, 08 Oct 2022 09:55:27 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=578551 Growing up in the US, one of the most popular comfort foods, especially as a child, was mac and cheese, however, chances are, if you grew up in a Middle Eastern family, your mum made makarona, which was usually some version of a pasta bake. Every family had their own recipe and additions, but it was usually tomato based, aromatic with spices and had minced meat. It was most mums' go-to dish when she wanted something quick and easy. If you grew up specifically in an Egyptian family, your mum probably made makarona bechamel, which, in my opinion, was one better than the normal makarona tray bake because, as you can probably tell from the name, it has bechamel sauce […]]]> 578551 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220924-salata-mashwiya/ Sat, 24 Sep 2022 09:00:41 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=576676 Although the summer has come to an end and the weather is cooling down, I still haven't stopped craving barbecued meats and the amazing sides that always accompany them. There is nothing like a perfect salad to brighten up your meal, and if you're like me and crave the smokiness that comes with charred meats and veggies, then this salad is for you! Salata mashwiya is a Tunisian staple that is made year-round, and I have to say the Tunisians are definitely on to something. The best part about this salad is that it is so easy, and you don't even need a grill, or meat for that matter, to make it. The charred veggies, garnished with fish, usually tuna, […]]]> 576676 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220910-mfaraket-baid-o-batata-egg-and-potato-salad/ Sat, 10 Sep 2022 08:54:20 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=576600 Growing up in the US, potato salad has always been a staple side dish at most barbecues, and I absolutely loved the creaminess of the mayo and potatoes with the sharpness of the mustard. I felt like it balanced the smoky grilled meat, but was always happy to have an extra helping of potato salad on its own. I guess that was the Middle Easterner in me because, after moving to the Middle East and being with my grandparents, I realised the egg and potato dinner we would have once every week or two was actually another version of potato salad. Mfaraket baid o batata, which roughly translates to "rubbed eggs and potatoes", probably got its name from the fact […]]]> 576600 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220827-fake-knafeh/ Sat, 27 Aug 2022 10:11:19 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=574743 I am a firm believer in the saying, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it", especially when it comes to food. Most of the time, classics are classics, and they are perfect the way they are, so there is no need to try to change them. But every once in a while, a genius twist or shortcut makes its way to our hearts and there is no denying how great they are. This recipe, knafeh kazabeh, or fake knafeh, is one of those great shortcuts that are perfect for days you are craving knafeh but do not have the dough or the time. It is also a great way to use up stale toast! Now, I know that toast and […]]]> 574743 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220813-chicken-and-preserved-lemon-tagine/ Sat, 13 Aug 2022 07:30:26 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=572473 Different cuisines generally have different flavour profiles and popular ingredients and, in many instances, areas that are geographically close to each other share a lot of these ingredients and flavours. Levantine food, for example, uses lots of olive oil, lemon juice and tahini paste. North African food also uses a lot of olive oil and lemons, but that is pretty much where the similarities end. I absolutely adore North African food and this recipe is one of the first dishes I had that made me fall in love with Moroccan food. This chicken tagine is very simple to make and the ingredients are mostly familiar, but what makes it stand out is the use of preserved lemons, which have a […]]]> 572473 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220730-qudsiya/ Sat, 30 Jul 2022 07:30:14 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=569615 When we think of Middle Eastern breakfast, one of the first two things that come to mind are ful and hummus, but did you know that there is a dish that takes these two amazing foods and combines them into one? It's called Qudsiya. Qudsiya isn't as well-known as other Middle Eastern dishes and it is mainly made in Palestine, and is extremely popular in Jerusalem, hence its name which means "from Jerusalem". Ful and hummus are already perfect the way they are, each on their own, but combining the two and adding the addictive spicy and tangy dressing that Qudsiya is garnished with takes them to another level. Traditionally, Qudsiya is made with more ful than hummus, but because […]]]> 569615 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220716-lazy-cake/ Sat, 16 Jul 2022 07:20:25 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=566177 I don't know about you, but our family avoids using the oven in the summer because the last thing you need during a heatwave is more heat! This was especially true during our summer vacation in Jordan, where growing up, there was no AC and we all crowded around the fan for what little cold air it blew our way. But, with all of the gatherings and free time, we constantly wanted to make desserts and so everyone in Jordan and the Middle East, in general, would switch from warm and comforting desserts to quick and easy cold desserts you put together and stick in the fridge to set. These are some of my favourite desserts and out of all […]]]> 566177 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220702-dagga-gazawiya-spicy-gazan-salsa/ Sat, 02 Jul 2022 08:00:24 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=564531 With the summer heat, I always find that I crave salads and dips or salsas and this Gazan dish, dagga Gazawiya, is perfect in so many ways. A spicy tangy salsa, it can be eaten on its own with warm pita bread or served as a side dish with meat, chicken or seafood. Making the salsa is super easy and quick but using the right tools does make all the difference. Traditionally, this dish is made in clay mortars known as a zibdeyeh, using a wooden pestle, in Gaza. The rough clay mortars help break down spices or vegetables and release their oils and juices, bringing so much flavour to any dish. These are made exclusively in Gaza and used […]]]> 564531 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220618-alayet-bandora-fried-tomatoes/ Sat, 18 Jun 2022 10:55:08 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=561039 As a busy mum of three, sometimes I buy produce and forget about it, only for it to go soft, leaving me trying to find ways to use it up. The Alayet bandora, which translates to fried or sauteed tomatoes, this recipe is one of my favourite ways to use up soft and squishy tomatoes. This dish is very popular in the Levant but is believed to originate in Jordan, in the Jordan Valley, known as Jordan's breadbasket. Much of the region's produce is grown in this fertile area. This dish is very popular during camping trips because the ingredients are easy to transport, don't go off quickly, and the dish is super easy to make, not to mention absolutely […]]]> 561039 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220430-mshabak/ Sat, 30 Apr 2022 11:21:49 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=545391 There are certain foods that signal Ramadan and are pretty much consumed during that month and forgotten the rest of the year, like atayef and sambousa. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, I think they make these dishes extra special. One of the desserts that is an immediate sign of Ramadan for me are mshabak. It reminds me of Jerusalem, as the white and pink strings of mshabak were always the first signs of Ramadan for me, and they always bring back fond memories. Every culture has their versions of desserts made of fried dough, like doughnuts, awameh, churros, beignets, just to name a few. They are always crowd pleasers, because come on, who doesn't like sweet fried dough? For […]]]> 545391 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220423-jaj-mahshi-stuffed-chicken/ Sat, 23 Apr 2022 10:00:00 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=547083 There is nothing more classic than a roast chicken, and it is something almost everyone loves. Usually it involves sticking a chicken in the oven and letting it do its thing, but today we are going to be making a fancier version of the humble roast chicken. We are making jaj mahshi, which translates to stuffed chicken, and the stuffing couldn't be better, aromatic rice and meat, all on a bed of delicious potatoes and onions. This is definitely a treat that everyone appreciates when it's made for them. This is the dish I most associate with my mother-in-law who usually makes it on the first day of Ramadan and on Eid. For the first day of Ramadan, we usually […]]]> 547083 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220416-shish-barak/ Sat, 16 Apr 2022 08:02:13 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=545422 Growing up, my dad called this dish "cat's ears" and we loved it. Why the name never put us off is a mystery, but I assume it is because they tasted so good, we didn't actually care what they were! This dish is actually called shish barak, and although it is a bit tedious, it is worth the trouble! Like many of the dishes in this Ramadan series, shish barak is a perfect way to show your guests just how much they mean to you! These delicious dumplings are the Arab world's answer to ravioli, stuffed with meat and cooked in a garlicy, herby, yogurt sauce, they are seriously addictive. Since I set aside a good amount of time to […]]]> 545422 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220409-yalanji/ Sat, 09 Apr 2022 08:04:55 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=544148 There are some foods in the Middle East that most people love and appreciate whenever someone makes them, and one of the top favourites are stuffed grape leaves. If you ever want someone to feel special, you make them grape leaves, it is definitely a love language everyone in the Middle East understands. In Ramadan, these are on almost every table, and they are always a treat, whether they are made with meat, which is called warak enab, or if they are the vegetarian version, called yalanji or soumi. The word yalanji is a Turkish word meaning liar, and it got its name because they don't have meat in them, making them fake vine leaves, since they are normally stuffed […]]]> 544148 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220326-kaykit-tamr-date-cake/ Sat, 26 Mar 2022 09:20:10 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=544132 Many grandmas are great at cooking or baking, but not many are great with actually documenting their recipes or even quantifying them! Although this cake is so simple, it was actually one of the hardest to figure out and took a lot of trial and error to finally get this recipe as close as possible to the date cake my grandma would make growing up. Just one bite of this cake transports me back to my grandma's kitchen and the time we had a party at school and I asked my grandma to bake a cake. I had a chocolate cake in mind, of course, because I was eight and what did I know? She baked this date cake, and […]]]> 544132 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220312-dawoud-basha/ Sat, 12 Mar 2022 09:02:38 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=540560 Meat and potatoes are a popular pairing. Almost every country has a variation of these two ingredients together, today we are going to be exploring the dish Dawoud Basha. This dish consists mainly of potatoes and meatballs, but what makes it special is the tangy tomato sauce it is cooked in, that is spiced with cinnamon and the signature Middle Eastern seven-spice and has pomegranate molasses, which gives both a tangy and sweet taste, making the result irresistible. We already know that so many Middle Eastern dishes have a story behind their name, and this is the case with Dawoud Basha. It is said that this dish was being made for an Ottoman nobleman, Dawoud Pasha (or Basha as we […]]]> 540560 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220226-tamriyeh/ Sat, 26 Feb 2022 13:11:56 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=537547 We all have dishes we associate with specific people and many of my traditional recipes are associated with a grandmother, aunt, or another relative. Funnily enough, today's recipe is not only associated with my grandmother – growing up I didn't know many people who knew it – but it was only recently that I realised my grandmother had been taking a genius shortcut and was using spring roll wrappers instead of making the dough! I am used to being the one coming up with shortcuts for things and trying to make recipes as quick and easy as possible, but this is the one time I am going to say that although the shortcut is great and I grew up loving […]]]> 537547 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220219-shorbet-shiiriyeh-bil-lahmeh-vermicelli-and-meat-soup/ Sat, 19 Feb 2022 11:00:37 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=534417 Winter is upon us and that means its soup season. I am a lover of soup year-round and with Ramadan coming up soon, I am excited to keep soup season going well past this season. I often have just soup and something light on the side in Ramadan, and soups like this one, shorbet shi'iriyeh bil lahmeh are a popular choice because they are a meal on their own! Versions of this soup are a Ramadan staple across the Middle East, and this variety is popular in the Levant. As with most Middle Eastern dishes, the name of the soup basically describes its main ingredients, as shi'iriyeh is Arabic for vermicelli and bil lahmeh means with meat. This dish could […]]]> 534417 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220205-ajnihat-jaj-mashwiyeh-grilled-chicken-wings/ Sat, 05 Feb 2022 11:06:52 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=530867 Growing up in the US, I definitely love myself a good chicken wing. Although fried wings smothered in Buffalo sauce or numerous other sauces were the popular option in the US, I always favoured the grilled wings on offer at the Middle Eastern restaurants. They were grilled to perfection, lovely and caramelised on the outside and super moist and juicy on the inside. I could go through an alarming number of them all by myself! While you can find these wings at many Middle Eastern restaurants, they are so easy to make at home you won't need to go out. The ingredients are also ones we usually have at home, meaning this dish can come together in half an hour. […]]]> 530867 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220122-mussaat-beitenjan/ Sat, 22 Jan 2022 16:07:56 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=528490 Mussa'at beitenjan is the Middle East version of the arguably better known Greek moussaka, which is popular in the US and Europe. The two versions are quite different, but have one main ingredient in common: aubergine. Moussaka has layers of aubergine, potato and meat topped with a thick bechamel layer, while its Middle East cousin can be made with or without meat and is tomato based, without bechamel. Both are absolutely delicious, but while the Greek version is a bit labour intensive, mussa'at beitenjan is pretty easy and doesn't require many steps. Also known as mussa'a or mnazaleh, mussa'at beitenjan is best served at room temperature. It is believed that this is why it got its name, as mussa'a translates […]]]> 528490 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20220108-alayet-bandoura-bil-lahmeh-tomato-and-meat-stew/ Sat, 08 Jan 2022 11:15:45 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=524538 In my opinion, there are two types of people in the world, those who prefer tomato-based stews and sauces and those who prefer cream or yogurt-based ones. There is no wrong or right group, but I myself usually prefer white sauces to red ones, as I somehow feel they are more comforting. With that being said, this tomato stew, known as alayet bandoura, is one of my favourite ways to use up any super ripe tomatoes I have in the house. While I sometimes find tomato stews too harsh, this one is actually more mellow, packing just the right amount of acidity and spice. Many may know alayet bandoura, which translates to "tomatoes fried in a pan", as just being […]]]> 524538 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20211225-basbousa-bil-ishta/ Sat, 25 Dec 2021 10:05:50 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=521927 I don't know about you, but in my life, different people have their signature dishes that they are expected to bring to every event or occasion, without even needing to be asked. For me, I know each of my friends' favourites and will make it for them when I host them, or I'm invited to theirs. This basbousa bil ishta is my friend's signature dessert and whenever I see her, I know I am going to get a tray of this deliciousness. However, with covid keeping us apart, I had to get the recipe and start making it myself. Suffice to say, I have made this more times than I'd like to admit! Basbousa is well-known across the Middle East, […]]]> 521927 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20211211-shorbet-adas-bil-hamid-lentil-soup-with-lemon/ Sat, 11 Dec 2021 09:03:05 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=516926 The colder the weather gets, the warmer the foods we crave, and with the current weather, I am definitely in the mood for soup. While I usually crave creamy and hearty soups, sometimes I want something light and bright and when I do, this is the soup I turn to, Lebanon's shorbet adas bil hamid, or lentil soup with lemon. I came across this soup about a year ago when a Lebanese cook posted it on Instagram, and it has been a winter staple in our home ever since. My kids and I love soup, so I am always on the hunt for easy and delicious versions, and I love to make a big batch and keep it in the […]]]> 516926 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20211127-ful-medames-palestinian-style/ Sat, 27 Nov 2021 15:42:59 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=514210 They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and in my opinion, the Middle East has some of the best breakfast foods out there. Even on the simplest of days, it is never just one dish, but rather an array of flavours, textures and foods, and you're bound to find at least one thing you like on the table. One of these delicious breakfast dishes is ful medames, a dip made from fava beans. Most countries across the Middle East make their own version, with some cooking the beans down to a smooth paste, while others opting for a chunkier dip, but either way, it is absolutely divine! Today I'll be making the Palestinian version, which is […]]]> 514210 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20211117-turkish-pistachio-baklava/ Wed, 17 Nov 2021 11:03:11 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=509232 When you think Middle Eastern desserts, the first that probably comes to mind is baklava. Versions of this sweet flaky dessert, stuffed with nuts, are made not only across the Middle East but also in Greece, the Balkans, and Central Asia, among other places. Many believe the version of the dessert we know today appeared during the rule of the Ottoman Empire, originating in the imperial kitchens of the Topkapi Palace in Istanbul. The dessert is so loved, it even had its own parade, known as Baklava Alayi, when trays of baklava were presented to the palace's household troops every 15th day of Ramadan. We may not be able to confirm the exact origins of this dessert, but any dessert […]]]> 509232 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20210904-fatayer-sabanekh-spinach-pies/ Sat, 04 Sep 2021 11:51:05 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=485470 I've said this once, and I'll say it again, making dough is much easier than you would think. I used to think it was one of the hardest things to master. I would only have fatayer at my in-laws' house or buy them from Middle Eastern bakeries, but after learning this really quick ten minute dough recipe, fatayer has become one of the easiest things for me to make. It has honestly been a life-changer and I am always so excited to share the recipe with everyone! Fatayer sabanekh, meaning spinach pies, are one of my absolute favourites, but they are one of the more time-consuming fillings to make. However, they are definitely worth the effort. You want to make […]]]> 485470 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20210821-saffron-cheesecake/ Sat, 21 Aug 2021 11:50:44 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=484169 When it is hot outside, no one wants to be overheating as they slave away at a stove! I personally want to do as little cooking as possible and will opt for cool and refreshing salads and desserts. Saffron cheesecake is ideal for any day you want to indulge but with minimal effort. This creamy, mousse-like no-bake cheesecake is perfect to satisfy your sweet tooth without having to turn on the oven! Saffron is one of those exotic ingredients that is used across the Middle East, but that many outside of the Middle East associate with savoury dishes, like saleeg or Persian rice dishes. It comes from the crocus flower, and it has a floral and earthy flavour, so it […]]]> 484169 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20210807-shish-tawouk/ Sat, 07 Aug 2021 08:05:29 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=483242 We all know that summer is barbeque season, wherever you are in the world. Every country has its own barbecue foods and methods and I love trying the different flavours and methods. In the Middle East, chicken is a popular meat that we grill and perhaps the most famous recipe is shish tawouk, or grilled chicken breast. While it has become popular across the Middle East, and especially the Levant, the origin of the name is from Turkey. Shish means skewers and tawouk means chicken, and this may be due to the Ottoman Empire's rule over the region. The chicken gets most of its flavour from the marinade, and there are so many different ways and versions, varying from one […]]]> 483242 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20210724-fruit-cocktail-fakhfakhina/ Sat, 24 Jul 2021 08:00:17 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=483174 Summer is here, and although it may not be super hot here in London, I am still craving refreshing summer foods, and when it comes to the Middle East, that includes fresh juices and lots of fruit! Although I am a lover of all things chocolate, in the summer, I lean more cold, fruitier desserts and this one is not only fruity and cold, but also easy and delicious! If you've ever been to the Middle East, you know we take our fruit cocktails and juices seriously. You'll find a juice shop or stand on every corner, and they are always delicious. This version of a cocktail, called Fakhfakhina, is basically a fruit salad on steroids. It is filled with […]]]> 483174 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20210710-kisir/ Sat, 10 Jul 2021 10:01:41 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=480627 With summer barbecues in full swing, why not add a new and exciting salad to your repertoire of side dishes? We all know the typical salads served at barbecues, coleslaw, potato salad, tabbouleh, and the likes, but once you've tried Turkey's kisir salad, I am sure it will be a regular on your table! Kisir is quite similar to tabbouleh, but also very different. They both have bulghur and herbs as main ingredients, but while tabbouleh is heavier on the herbs, kisir has more of a bulghur base with the addition of herbs, and when it comes to the dressings, they are completely different. Tabbouleh has the basic lemon juice, olive oil, and salt dressing, while kisir has so many […]]]> 480627 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20210626-fatayer-jibneh-cheese-fatayer/ Sat, 26 Jun 2021 09:10:16 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=479569 I, like many others, love cheese and I love bread. When put together, there is nothing like it! It is so simple but so good. Just about every culture has some sort of cheese and bread concoction and I rarely hear anyone not loving this combination. This is just one of the ways the Middle East combines the two. Fatayer jibneh, which translates to cheese pies, are really easy and come together super fast with this 10-minute dough recipe. Don't be intimidated by the word dough, because this one is pretty fail-proof and once you learn it, I promise you'll be making it often! It is versatile and quick to make, and after I learned to make it, fatayer became […]]]> 479569 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20210508-madlouqa/ Sat, 08 May 2021 13:25:41 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=467778 We are ending our Ramadan series on a sweet note with our dessert madlouqa, or as many in the Levant pronounce it, madloua'a. In Ramadan, we generally have dessert almost every night, or at least some fresh fruit, and for lots of people, this is the highlight of their Ramadan meals. I love to have cold desserts, especially in warmer weather, because I find them less heavy and cooling. Madlouqa is made in different ways across the Levant, with some making it with a semolina base and others with a knafeh dough base. Today I'll be showing you how to make it with semolina, which is how my family enjoys it. The word madlouqa comes from dalaqa, which means to […]]]> 467778 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20210501-shourba-libiya/ Sat, 01 May 2021 11:38:20 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=468734 While I enjoy soup any day of the year, it is especially comforting to have during Ramadan, as it goes down easily after fasting. It is also a time when most people like to enjoy a warm soup almost every day and are keen to try new recipes. Today I'll be sharing with you my friend's mum's recipe for Shourba Libiya, which simply translates to Libyan soup, and I am sure you'll love it just as much as me. This soup is one of my favourites and I am happy to have it as a meal on its own, as it is quite filling and hearty! This tomato-based soup is fragrant with the Libyan spice mix, known as Bzar, and […]]]> 468734 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20210424-tabbouleh-and-salata-bil-tahini/ Sat, 24 Apr 2021 10:00:20 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=467283 We started off our Ramadan series with a Ramadan favourite, Sambousek, and today we are making two salads that would go great with the Sambousek as well as many other dishes on your Ramadan table. In the Middle East, we have salad almost every day in Ramadan and on normal days, we have it alongside many of our rice dishes and mezzes as a means of adding freshness and crunch, and these two salads do just that. The first salad, tabbouleh, has definitely become a favourite around the world. The word tabbouleh comes from the Arabic word, tabal, which means to season, and if we think about it, salads are really just seasoned vegetables! Tabbouleh only has a handful of […]]]> 467283 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20210417-sambousek-bil-jibneh/ Sat, 17 Apr 2021 08:02:15 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=465403 Welcome to the first video of this year's Ramadan series, Ramadan basics. I will be sharing recipes for an appetiser, soup, salad, and a dessert, all of which are quite popular in Ramadan. Today's recipe, sambousa, or sambousek as we call it in the Levant, is probably one of the most common dishes on any Ramadan table across the Middle East. No table is complete without it! My husband and I pretty much have them every night, along with a salad and soup and are happy with nothing else. Many people are familiar with South Asian samosas and enjoy them with their takeaways, but I was surprised to find that they likely originated in Persia, and a poem praising sambousa […]]]> 465403 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20210116-libyan-imbakbaka/ Sat, 16 Jan 2021 09:00:35 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=447818 Winter is definitely the season for comfort food and I am always trying to think of really hearty and delicious meals that are quick and easy to make, but also very flavourful. One of my favourite dishes is a Libyan dish called Imbakbaka. This rich and tomatoey stew filled with meat and pasta is perfect if you're looking for something that screams instant warmth! The name of this dish is said to have come from the sound the stew makes when it boils. Whether or not this is true, I can say that it is music to my ears! One of the best parts is that it is a one pot wonder and you truly need a big pot and […]]]> 447818 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20210102-karabeej-halab/ Sat, 02 Jan 2021 10:00:56 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=442201 Whenever I visit Jordan, I make a point of finding the carts that sell Karabeej Halab dotted around the Balad or downtown. There is nothing like these warm fried strips of dough that are soaked in syrup, so super crispy on the outside and soft and syrupy on the inside! They are super nostalgic and the ultimate street food. In all these years, I never thought to make these at home until my husband requested them one day and I found the perfect recipe online! I could not believe how easy they were to make, although it is probably a good thing, I didn't discover these earlier because we'd probably be having them way too often! The word Karabeej comes […]]]> 442201 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20201219-taitas-shorbet-ayaneen-rice-and-meatball-soup/ Sat, 19 Dec 2020 09:02:19 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=442150 So many of us think of chicken noodle soup as the best medicine for a cold and while I grew up with chicken noodle soup, I also grew up with what my grandma called "shorbet ayaneen" which translates to "the soup of the sick"! It is perfect when you need something warm and comforting and the rice is great when you have a tummy ache! I absolutely adore this soup, whether I am sick or not, and my kids grew up eating it because it is the perfect baby soup. You can make it as thick or loose as you like, and I would make it slightly thicker for the little ones so they don't soak themselves! I often make […]]]> 442150