Spicy Lebanese Potatoes [Batata Harra]

categories: Posts, Recipes, Vegetables & Sides

Spicy Lebanese Potatoes

Food is a universal language. I’ve realized through my blogging journey that so many countries within close proximity have similar foods. Most notably, Mediterranean food has so many similarities. Take, for example grape leaves. Everyone seems to have a version of grape leaves (each by a different name) The Greeks, the Turks, and the Arabs each make their own version of stuffed grape leaves with rice and meat, or vegetables. Sometimes they’re served cold and other times hot. Despite language differences, we can agree that grape leaves, in whatever shape or form, are delicious. We don’t even need to speak the same language. Food is a universal language. (more…)

Musakhan Rolls

categories: Chicken, Posts, Recipes

Musakhan Rolls

I know I’ve been quiet on the blog front over the last couple months. It seems like at least once a year, my life gets a little hectic and I let the blogging slip. That’s not to say I haven’t been active on social media. If you follow Measuring Cups Optional on Instagram, you’ll see I’ve actually been up to a whole lot! (If you aren’t, you’re missing out on some delicious stories and posts). Let me tell you what I’ve been up to … but first, these Musakhan Rolls! (more…)

Cucumber Greek Yogurt Dip

categories: Posts, Recipes, Vegetables & Sides

Cucumber Greek Yogurt Dip

Sometimes I think to myself, there should be a Netflix series based off of true events in my life. I’ve already thought this through. It would include narration, screenshots, and re-enactments based on true events. I’m still mentally working out the individual episodes and I’m not sure how I’d break the seasons up, or how many seasons would make up the totality of the series. But I’m telling you, I have some pretty good material to work with. Without getting too detailed, the last two weeks of February were outrageous. A lot a bit of drama, with a side of crazy is probably the best way to describe it.

You’ll want a bowl of Cucumber Greek Yogurt Dip and some chips to snack on for this one … (more…)

Chocolate Pomegranate Cakelets

categories: Desserts, Posts, Recipes

Chocolate Pomegranate Cakelets

Valentine’s Day happens to be one of my favorite days of the year. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not because it’s supposed to be a day for celebrating romance. As a matter of fact, while romance in the movies is adorable, it freaks me out in real life. Do people really want giant bears, and to be drowning in roses?! Sure it looks great in a styled Instagram photo.  But let’s be practical here.  I don’t know about you, but I’d rather not be crammed in an overpriced restaurant with 50 other couples sitting one foot away from each other like ducks in a row listening to each other’s conversations. That’s not to say Valentine’s Day shouldn’t be acknowledged. I won’t say no to flowers on Valentine’s Day, or cheesily asking if I’d be your Valentine. However, I’d much rather have someone show love by randomly picking up my favorite snacks, or sending me relatable memes, or if you’re crafty or artsy, I’ll seriously appreciate something you made by hand. It’s the millennial in me, I guess. That’s me — but don’t think for a second that when friends ask me what they should be doing for their significant other, I don’t come up with cheesy elaborate schemes (something along the lines of romantic movie level showing affection). (more…)