• Categories

  • Archives

  • Gluten Free Mediterranean Cookbook
  • Connect With Sanaa

Christmas Tradition 2

In Eastern Orthodox faith, Christmas is celebrated two weeks later than in most other Christian faiths. And, of course, although Muslims in the Levant do not celebrate this holiday, they participate in the Santa Claus tradition so their children do not fee left out.  In fact, in Damascus, each neighborhood hires someone to play Santa [...]

Christmas Traditions and Gluten Free Desserts From Around The World

Everyday until Christmas, I will post a Christmas tradition from around the world and recipe for a gluten free dessert.
In France, the Christmas tree is put up and decorated on the morning of December 24th, and the day ends with an elaborate dinner.  In Damascus, the same is done, most likely reflecting the fact that [...]

Planning for a Holiday Dinner

If you’re planning a dinner this holiday season, my best piece of advice is to do something that won’t cause you to panic. There is enough stress around the year-end holidays without adding the stress that comes from trying to plan a huge meal for your friends and family.  By all means, do not try [...]

The Lonely Thanksgiving Turkey

As proof that Thanksgiving is purely American holiday, most immigrants to this country that I know, have gone out of their way to be as American as they can be.  The minute that a federal official swears in a new crop of immigrants as American citizens, one of the first thoughts in their mind is not” [...]

How To Use and Preserve Your Herbs

I would suggest that, when buying dried spices, it’s much better to buy those not yet ground so they do not lose their freshness as they sit on your shelf.  It’s a much better practice to grind them as you need them.  Spice compnents responsible for the odor are actually fat-soluble, which is one of [...]

‘Tis The Season For Zucchini

A friend of mine just stopped by the restaurant and asked if I can use few zucchinis. Of course, I said.  She came back and handled me three large bags of beautiful fresh zucchini.  She told me that she planted several zucchini plants and now she does not know what to do with all the [...]

Easy Eggplant Recipes

Several of my customers asked for tips and recipes to cook eggplant to get ready for their backyard crops.
Eggplant Spread (Baba Ghannouj)
makes 3 cups
2     1-pound eggplant
3     cloves garlic, mashed
1/2 cup plain yogurt
1/4 cup tahini*
1/4 cup finely chopped parsley
salt to taste
-Pierce the eggplant in a few places. Place on a charcoal grill.  Grill until skin begins [...]