Recipe: Turkish Sumac Onions
Sumac is a citrusy-tasting spice commonly found in Middle Eastern cuisine. When combined with raw onions, the sumac mellows out the onion’s bitterness while the onions absorb some of the sumac’s tartness. Although it can be referred to as a salad, it’s not meant to be eaten as a side dish, but rather a condiment […]
All About Qamar al-Din (Middle Eastern Fruit Leather) & Its Uses
At first glance, Qamar al-Din may look unimpressive, but it’s an essential ingredient that has many uses. It’s made by pureeing fresh fruit with sugar into a paste and drying it into thin sheets. The sheets can be rolled up and enjoyed as a sweet treat, but it’s most commonly made into a drink or […]
Recipe: Beef Haleem
The beginning of Ramadan marks the beginning of a fasting month for Muslims to move away from worldly distractions and to instead focus on prayer and patience. During these 30 days, every healthy adult abstains from eating or drinking from the moment the sun rises until the sun sets. The meal eaten before sunrise, suhoor, […]
Recipe: Ma’amoul (Date Cookies)
Ramadan is the 9th month in the Islamic calendar and is dedicated to prayer, self-reflection, and charity. During this holy month, participants fast from sunrise through sunset. The next month, a 3-day celebration, Eid al-Fitr, is held to mark the end of Ramadan and the fasting month. During this celebration, friends and families come together […]
Recipe: Rosewater Baklava
Ramadan is an important month in Islam that is meant for prayer, discipline, and gratuity. During this holy season, participants fast from sunrise through sunset. Suhoor is the meal that is eaten before sunrise and iftar is enjoyed after sunset. To break the fast, elaborate meals with various dishes are often made to satisfy the […]
Recipe: Zeytoon Parvardeh (Persian Marinated Olives)
Zeytoon Parvardeh originated in northern Iran, near the Caspian Sea. It’s a simple dish that features olives marinated in olive oil and pomegranate molasses. Traditionally, it uses a special herb called Chuchagh, but this herb is only found in the northern areas of Iran so fresh mint is a common substitute. This dish is is […]
Recipe: Muhammara (Roasted Red Pepper & Walnut Dip)
Want to try something different but as tasty as hummus? Try muhammara! It’s similar to hummus, but uses roasted red peppers and walnuts as the base instead of chickpeas. The addition of pomegranate molasses gives this dish a delightful tang to balance out the spice and richness of the red peppers. Like hummus, it’s usually […]
Za’atar: The Addicting Spice Mix You NEED to Try
Za’atar is and has been a staple in Middle Eastern cuisine since the 13th century. If you don’t have a lot of experience with Middle Eastern cuisine, za’atar is a great way to start because it’s tasty and versatile. This spice mix contains all of the delicious flavors you could ever ask for in a […]
Recipe: Sahlab (Middle Eastern Milk Pudding)
In Arab culture, they believe in warming the body from the inside out, so drinking or eating hot food is the key to staying warm in the winter. Sahlab is one popular drink for those cold winter nights. Traditionally, sahlab is made with a sahlab powder, or orchid root flour, but cornstarch is a common […]
Recipe: Nan-e Berenji (Persian Rice Cookies)
Nan-e Berenji is a traditional Persian cookie that is most often enjoyed during Norouz, or Persian New Year. These crumbly cookies are flavored with rosewater and topped with poppy seeds. Ingredients: 1/2 cup vegetable oil 3/4 cup confectioners sugar 1 egg yolk 1 cups rice flour 1/4 cup rosewater 1-2 tbsp. poppy seeds Instructions: In […]
