My Tata’s Chicken Soup
While dicing local onions and red potatoes on Sunday evening, and speaking with my mom on the phone, I found out that my Tata Wardeh often added turmeric to her chicken soups, for color and for health. Tata Wardeh is/was my grandmother for whom I was named; she passed away after living a long and [...]
Mulukhiyyah (Arabic Comfrey and Lamb Stew over Rice)
recipe from “Sahtein: Middle East Cookbook”
4 cups of dried mulukhiyyah (comfrey)
2 pounds lamb meat (boneless preferred)
6 cloves of garlic
1/4 cup pine nuts
6 cups water or lamb broth
salt and lemon juice to taste
1 teaspoon allspice
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons of butter
prepared, cooked brown rice
Brown the garlic with pine nuts in the butter. Add the meat; brown [...]
Fasooli (White Beans and Rice)
This is one of my favorite growing up dishes. The flavor is excellent; it is warming and filling. I still don’t think I make it as well as my Mom does, but I try! The photo above is of the Great Northern beans I quick-soaked this morning (see How to Cook Dry Beans). The [...]
Mediterranean Cucumber-Tomato-Mint Salad
I dream of having a garden someday soon with an abundance of Mediterranean cucumbers and ripe red tomatoes. In the meantime, I have to make a couple of each of them from the grocery store, when in season, stretch out to last the week. There have been nice organic cukes (not Mediterranean, though) and tomatoes [...]
Arabic Rice
Using whole wheat noodles, brown rice and a heart-healthy oil (if you use the grapeseed oil), I created this healthy version of Arabic Rice. But don’t let the health factor distract you because it is very, very delicious!
1/4 cup grapeseed oil, butter or non-hydrogenated margarine
1/2 package whole wheat angel hair noodles, broken in half
4 cups [...]


