The best grilled fish I’ve had was in Sydney, Australia at an upscale restaurant on the harbor. It was a beautiful September evening in 2012 and I was enjoying a low-key dinner with my cousin and his beautiful wife. I can’t remember the name of the restaurant, but it was on a docking strip with a couple other outdoor restaurants. Not only was the weather amazing (September there is really like early spring to us), but the food was amazing. It also happened to be that I had the best oysters of my life there as well. (more…)
Recipes
Salmon Burgers
At the Fayyad household, when the one doing the cooking goes on a diet, everyone goes on diet– whether they like it or not. Diet is a harsh word. Really, it’s making healthier food choices; in essence cutting the processed foods, oils and sugars.
I’m conscious of the boys, who require carbs to feel full. They made it pretty obvious that the diet menu isn’t going to work for them when I whipped up salmon burgers, sans burger buns. There were looks of confusion, “why would you make burgers without burger buns,” was uttered multiple times as the table was being set and a mad scramble to find any kind of bread to accompany the patties. Out of burger buns, they settled on toasted, sliced bread. I did throw shoestring fries in the oven for them, thinking that would be enough processed food for them not to realize that I was feeding them healthy food. (more…)
Date Truffles
We’re about one-third of the way through Ramadan, and while it hasn’t taken too much of a toll on me, I have been indulging in my daily afternoon naps. I have to say, this is pretty much the only time of year I’m able to take a nap mid-day – and two-hour naps at that! You’d think that would mess up my sleep schedule, and in a way it has, but not too extremely. (more…)
Muhallabiyeh [Arabic Pudding]
There’s something about Arabic desserts that I love. If I had to choose between any Arabic sweet and a piece of cake, the Arabic sweet usually wins out. One of my favorites [there really are too many to name] is Muhallabiyeh مهلبية. I vividly remember eating Muhallabiyeh out of small chilled bowls as a child at my Tayta’s house. So sweet, so cold, and so delicious. No one makes the dessert quite like my Tayta. (more…)
Cherry Blueberry Stars and Stripes Pie
Happy Birthday, America!
This year, we were lucky enough that July 4 fell on a Friday, giving us all an extra-long weekend to celebrate everything red, white and blue. If you haven’t picked up on it already, I’m all about themes. If there’s a theme, I’m on it. (more…)
Samboosa [Meat and Cheese Filled Pastries]
Ramadan Kareem!
Yesterday marked the first day of the holy month of Ramadan – where billions of people around the world refrain from food and drink from sunrise until sunset for 29-30 days based on the lunar calendar. It is a time to reflect on your life, reconnect with god and be thankful for everything you have, most notably a kitchen full of food (which those less fortunate do not have the luxury of having). (more…)