Istekbal, Girls night in/ Black olive tapenade and Baba Ghanouj recipes

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 her [...]

Zucchini Fritters

Serves 4-6 servings 2        zucchini, finely chopped 1        cup finely chopped parsley 1        small onion, finely chopped 1/2   cup all-purpose  flour 4        eggs 1/2    teaspoon black pepper salt to taste 1       cup olive  oil for frying -Combine the [...]

Lentil Salad

I have to say that lentils are one of my favorite type of beans. It is full of flavor, high in iron, high in fiber, easy to cook and very in-expensive.  I make some kind of lentil dish at least once a week and this salad is one of the more popular one in summer [...]

Food, Proverb and Culture

As I was telling someone the other day about my daughter’s refusal to try different kinds of food, but that she did try an egg roll the other day in a Chinese restaurant.  I finished my story by saying, knock on wood.  Which prompted me to begin thinking of such phrases that I’ve heard growing up [...]

Take a Leek! Leek with mushroom and tarragon

I can’t think of a more inappropriate word for a vegetable than the word, “leek.”  It brings forth images of anything but good food, which is what a leek is.  For those of you who have never used leeks in cooking, permit me to describe what it is.  It looks like a green onion on [...]

Eggplant Kufta

If you love eggplant like me, you are going to love this dish. It has flavor, texture, color and it is very healthy. serves 4 2          medium eggplant 1          small onion, chopped 1          cup chopped parsley 1/2      cup chopped cilantro 2 [...]

Some men should stay out of the kitchen, my husband is one of them

I was asked the other day by a slight acquaintance whether or not my husband cooked at home.   I think some men are good cook, some men are not good cook but they are good helper , and then there is the others.  The others are the one you don’t want them in the kitchen.  My [...]