Recipes - Measuring Cups, Optional

Candied Orange Semolina Cake

The last month has been an absolute whirlwind. I went from planning and celebrating my 30th birthday – which was amazing, by the way – to hoping on a plane straight to Dubai for a week then Amman for a second week. I was able to spend just enough time in my own kitchen to whip up a not-too-sweet Candied Orange Semolina Cake, before jetting off to Lyon for a work trip filled with meetings (and lots of chocolate croissants). Unfortunately for me, I came down with the flu for the entirety of the trip, so I wasn’t able to fully appreciate the food capitol for all it has to offer. For those who follow Measuring Cups Optional on Instagram, my stories offer a first look at all my food and travel adventures. (more…)

Triple Berry No Added Sugar Sorbet

categories: Desserts, Posts, Recipes

Happy Warm days of summer …. almost. Alright, Happy Warm days of Spring!

Let’s celebrate with Triple Berry No Added Sugar Sorbet. As much as I wanted to call the sorbet sugar-free, the truth is it isn’t. Fruit contains natural sugars, sugars I don’t have the capability or desire to process out. According to US Food and Drug Administration guidelines (FDA for short) , food has to have less than 0.5 grams of sugar per serving to be labeled “sugar free.” Fresh and frozen fruit have well over 10g sugar per serving. But it’s all natural sugars. With that said, I did not use any additional processed sugars. (more…)

Tayta’s Pink Pickled Turnips

categories: Appetizers, Posts, Recipes, Snacks

Pickled Turnips, or Tayta’s Pink Pickled Turnips, as I like to call them, are a staple at our house. Usually, pickled turnips are served alongside olives and green pickles at the dinner table. They’re added to chicken and beef Shawarma sandwiches, falafel, and (like us) placed in a small dish at the table to be eaten with just about anything. If you haven’t had them, you are in for a serious treat!

After I took down rough notes of my Tayta’s recipe, I scoured the internet looking to see what other people have done. Some recipes call for garlic and bay leaves, another even suggested adding a chili pepper. But why change something that is so simple and so good? I may be a little biased, but my Tayta’s Pickled Turnips are the best pickled turnips. (more…)

Roast Veggie and Freekeh Salad with Pomegranate Molasses Vinaigrette

categories: Posts, Recipes, Salads

Let’s get Freekeh!

When I originally came up with the concept for a roast veggie salad, I imagined a roasted vegetable mix with farro or wheat berries. But then I realized that we had a whole box of freekeh that would pair perfectly with roast veggies and Pomegranate molasses vinaigrette. (more…)

Middle Eastern Puff Pastry Meat Pies

categories: Appetizers, Arabic Food Made Easy, Breads, Posts, Recipes

I’m all about simplicity. Mainly simplicity when it comes to cooking. Because really, who wants to spend more time making delicious food, like let’s say middle eastern meat pies, when you can cut that time in half? This girl right here. That’s me! I have no patience. I openly admit it. It’s something I’ve been actively working on for 30 years. However, the truth is, patience does not come easily to me. I have a hard time waiting for just about anything. So it’s no surprise that bread making is a serious test of my patience. I have made various breads in the past. I tested out some sesame bread that didn’t make it onto the blog, as well as Zaatar Bread, and Irish Soda Bread. (more…)

White Chocolate Rosewater Buttercream Cupcakes

categories: Desserts, Posts, Recipes

Happy Birthday to me! I feel like I’m thr …. Thirty. I’m 30! And I’m celebrating with White Chocolate Rosewater Buttercream Cupcakes.

But before I share this fabulous recipe, I have some wisdom to impart on my readers …. (more…)