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The Weekly Get Together (Istekbal)

Have you ever heard of forced party?. As I get more and more busy with my business and daughter’s activities, I lament the days gone by when my mom had her Istekbal.  Growing up in Syria, I used to tease my mom about her Istekbal. She use to tell me that was a way for her and [...]

Home Cooking is The Way to Fight Childhood Obesity

There is now widspread agreement that obesity is an epidemic, especially among young people.  That is the tradegy.  Obesity at a young age is a struggle that you never outgrow it.  Of course, along with obesity comes those most deadly adult afflictions-heart disease and diabetes not to mention low self esteem that you have to [...]

Cooling off Period for New Years’ Resolution

I think we should be treated much like gun buyers, who are required to wait a period of time while our credentials are being checked before we can buy a gun.  I wonder if a two week cooling off period shouldn’t be required for those of us who want to jump right in and act [...]

More Make Ahead Appetizers for Your Parties

As you know by now, I love parties and I love to be part of the fun. When I plan my dinners whether for 4 or for 40, I make sure that most of my foods can be prepared ahead of time to be baked, warmed or served as is on the day of the party. I try [...]

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” [...]

Gluten Free Breads

 I can tell you that the widest smile I see in my restaurant is the smile of a new client who is gluten sensitive and who just heard me saying that we serve gluten free bread and gluten free fatayer (closed sandwich).   Bread or bread products, such as sandwiches, biscuits and dessert, are the hardest item to make, especially to [...]