Mango sticky rice is one of those Thai dishes you HAVE to try. You will be amazed at how such an unlikely duo can make such a decadent dessert. Lately I’ve been on this Thai food kick. It all started when my daughter sent us two books on Thai cooking from her ongoing adventures in…
nigella seeds
Lebanese Lamb Fatayer
I can honestly say that I’ve never met a carbohydrate I didn’t like, so this tasty treat is right up my alley. It can be eaten as a super snack, a lovely lunch, or a delectable dinner. I am all in favor of foods that can be eaten at different times of day. Versatility is key…
Savory Feta Walnut Scones
I love scones in any way shape (there’s only one shape, really) or form. Savory ones too? Yup, absolutely! Savory feta walnut scones are the perfect afternoon snack, breakfast, or a great addition to the dreaded department meeting. Move over doughnuts! A few weekends ago I went to a retirement party for a dear colleague. She will…
Turkish Bread: Pide
I’ve never met a carbohydrate I didn’t like! I am in love with Turkish bread: pide. So what exactly is pide? Well, it’s a Turkish bread that can be eaten plain or stuffed. Some of the most popular stuffing choices are: seasoned lamb, feta, or spinach There are also regional differences. Similar dishes to pide can be found…
Nigella Seeds
Nigella? Nigel’s twin sister? Nigella Lawson? NO!!! Read on….. Nigella seeds are a small and ancient oblong seed believed to be native to the Mediterranean. Through the whims of nature and steady commercial trade they have spread throughout North Africa, Southern Europe and Eastern Asia. Nigella seeds are the seeds of Nigella Sativa, an annual…
Naan: Grilled Flat Bread from India
Naan is a flatbread original to Northern India. One could say that it is a close cousin to pita bread. Naan is also prevalent in Central and South Asia where it is traditionally served as an accompaniment to stews. The history of naan can be traced to the 14th century, making it younger than its Middle…
Poğaças – Savory Turkish Pastries
Poğaças pronounced pwa-cha are savory Turkish pastries made with feta and blue cheese. They are a close cousin to the Middle Eastern cheese fatayer, or the Greek tiropita. The dough is similar in consistency to that of a biscuit dough. It uses no eggs, and has a nice elasticity that makes it incredibly easy to…
Lebanese Cheese Fatayer
Lebanese cheese fatayers are savory pastries found throughout the Middle East. Fatayers can also be filled with meat (lamb fatayer is traditional.) Fatayers are found throughout the Arab world in pastry shops and market stalls. They can be triangular in shape or cigar-shaped (like the recipe below.) These are similar to the Turkish pogacas or the…
