Recipes
Middle Eastern Falafel Recipe
Falafel from scratch to Arabs is like hamburgers are to Americans. This street food is very popular all over the Middle East. There are many versions of falafel depending on where you live in the Middle East. In Egypt they use fava beans and leeks, but the more common is the chickpea. It is a vegetarian dish that is full of protein, satisfying and healthy. Authentic falafel patties are served with tomatoes, pickled cucumbers, lettuce and a drizzle of a lemony tahini sauce. We like to add fill-fill, which is a spicy cilantro, garlic mix. I got this recipe for
Cilantro hot Sauce Recipe (Fill-fill)
This Palestinian cilantro hot sauce recipe is a bright and intense condiment. You might call this a spicy cilantro and garlic sauce, because it is laced with a whole head of garlic. This hot chili sauce will rock your world. It is fast and easy to make, done in a matter of minutes. You can top a hamburger, an make a fiery sauce for a taco, or add piazzas to pizza. My husband puts cilantro hot sauce on everything from eggs to vegetables. We call this Fill-Fill which means pepper in Arabic. This recipe was given to me by my Palestinian friend and consequently not
Old Fashioned Peach Crisp Recipe
I adore an old fashioned peach crisp with an addition of berries. Nothing is as easy to make and talked about as much at potlucks than the "fruit crisp". I make this delicious crumb topping with any fruit in season. Of coarse the apple is note worthy for its nostalgia. Called the apple brown betty, apple crisp and the apple crumble. No matter what you call it, it is delicious! In the fall and winter I like a pear crisp topped with vanilla bean ice cream and in the summer my favorite is the peach with a dollop of whipped
Authentic Middle Eastern Hummus Recipe
Authentic Middle Eastern hummus is served on family tables and enjoyed every day. They serve it with breakfast, lunch and dinner. This recipe is authentic and can be made quick and easy. Hummus is full of protein and can be served as a vegetarian meal along with a salad and pita bread. Use as a dip, mix it up with some hot sauce and tortilla chips for a Mexican flare. I use my Vitamix 5300 for hummus and just about everything. Every morning I make a healthy smoothy and at night a healthy soup. Serve this wonderful dip with my pita bread recipe.
Szechwan Chicken Salad
As a child, I was enamored by Chinese culture and especially Chinese food. Szechwan chicken salad is our family's favorite on a hot summer day. This authentic salad is easy to make, and most of it can be done ahead of time. It is great for picnics and potlucks. Your friends will be impressed and will no doubt want this recipe for themselves. 1 whole chicken beast Meat marinade: 1 tbsp. soy sauce 1 tbsp. hoisin sauce 1 tbsp. bean sauce 1 tbsp. garlic minced 1 tsp. sugar 1 oz. bean threads ½ head of iceberg
Chinese Pan Pan Chicken Salad
Perfect summer dish is the Chinese Pan Pan Chicken Salad recipe. The story is told that the chickens in rural China, unless raised in a cage are usually tough, since they are allowed to run free in villages. The term "pan pan" came from, peasants which would pound the chicken breasts to tenderize them, thus making the pan pan sound. I'm glad I don't have to do that with my chickens. I buy Draper Valley Farm organic chickens, they are tender, juicy and delicious. Excellent for a make-ahead meals are cold main dishes, Pan Pan salad is great for hot summer days, picnics and potlucks.
Hungarian Cabbage, Bacon Pasta (KaposztáS TéSzta)
Hungarian cabbage, bacon, pasta recipe, Káposztás Tészta is one of my families favorite Hungarian meals. Immigrant Hungarians use the cabbage for just about everything. When it has fully cooked it transforms into a sweet delicacy. My kid's would devour this dish asking for more the next day. Little did they know they were eating "cabbage." The Nokedli dumplings make this authentic dish worth the effort. 1 medium head of cabbage chopped into 1” cubes 1 onion diced 1 garlic crushed 1/2 lb. bacon cut into 1/4” slices 1 tablespoon paprika 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper 2
Authentic Pita Bread
Nothing is as more quintessential then authentic pita bread in the Middle East. It is eaten breakfast, lunch and dinner, it accompanies the basic and regal meal. When it dries out it is transformed into yet another classic example of the fragility of the Arab housewife. It is simple and versatile to make and can be used as pizza dough, or a flat bread covered in herbs and olive oil. I use my standing mixer with a dough hook which makes it easy and fast. Pita bread can be frozen for up to month and then transformed back to it's alluring state in the oven. It
Hungarian Stuffed Cabbage Rolls
Töltött Kápaszta Holiday cooking is a family affair. We are carrying on Grandma Gigi's traditions each year when we make Stuffed cabbage rolls (Töltött Kápaszta). They are a labor of love each Thanksgiving and Christmas. The holidays would not be the same without them. If you have any leftovers they can be frozen and enjoyed later. Lodge 7 quart enameled dutch oven works well and stands up to the fancy French brands. 2 large cabbage heads Filling: 1/4 lb. beef, 1 lb. veal, 1/4 lb. ham ground 2 slices bacon, finely diced 1/2 cup short grain rice (1:2 ratio or more
Dumplings (Nokedli Szaggató )
Delicious pillows of goodness are how I describe these dumplings. Easy to make and add to anything that requires a noodles. Our family serves them with chicken paprika and káposztás tészta, which is a bacon, cabbage and noodle dish. I believe these are the best dumplings to use with any dish that has a sauce or stew. They do well in chicken soup, beef stew and even with a pasta sauce. I like that they are free formed and rustic, more to bite into than spaetzle. Cutting these dumplings on a board is easy, but can intimidate some. If you find that the
Chicken Paprikash
Csirke Paprikás This is Grandma's favorite quintessential Hungarian comfort food, rich and satisfying Authentic Hungarian Chicken Paprikash. Slow-cooked chicken, which is rich with a dense fond, comforts the soul as well as the pallet. There are very few ingredients, however, they cuddle together to make the perfect marriage. I do all my meat searing and stewing in my orange Le Creuset Dutch oven. I love how it performs without burning, making a beautiful fond on the bottom for a depth of flavor that stainless steel can't provide. For the best prices shop Amazon. Le Creuset Signature Enameled Cast-Iron 5-1/2-Quart Round
Buttermilk Biscuit
Secret to the best buttermilk biscuits My secret recipe for the lightest and crunchiest buttermilk biscuits you'll ever taste. I use the Grace Harbor Farms brand that I purchase from Haggen's Grocery store. It is a local farm in Custer WA. It has less fat and calories than the heavy cream biscuit. You'll love its versatility. Sprinkle with some sugar and you'll have a shortcake for strawberries, roll up with cinnamon and sugar for an oh-so-delicious cinnamon roll. They can be made in a snap on Sunday morning, your kids and husband will thank you! See my chicken and biscuit
Southern Soupy Potato Recipe
Not your ordinary soup! This southern soupy potato recipe is the simplest potato recipe you’ll ever try. My mom remembers Granny whipping them up for her anytime she asked. She loved to put them over her cornbread, however I prefer them along side a fried pork chop. Any type of potato will do for soupy potatoes. I used the yellow potato which makes them firmer when cooked. They are fast and simple to make with any meat dish. 6 medium yellow potatoes pealed 1 cube of butter, cut into chunks 1 teaspoon salt Chopped parsley (optional) Water Slice your potatoes
Irish Shepherd’s Pie
Irish Shepherd's Pie Heritage In the Gaelic home, the Irish Shepherd's Pie is a favorite. Very simple to make and can be your kid's favorite meal of the week. Creamy mashed potatoes can be jazzed up with leeks or anything your heart desires. The meat is generally ground lamb, but beef does just as well. You can add any type of fresh vegetables, I like edamame rather than peas which are traditional. Try my family's other traditional Irish meals and make them a regular at your dinner table. 2-3 tbsp oil 1 large onion, chopped 2-3 carrots, chopped 1/2 cup peas or