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: 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 […]
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 […]
Recipe: Baba Ganoush With Pomegranate
Baba ganoush is a traditional Middle Eastern dip similar to hummus, but made with mashed grilled eggplants in place of chickpeas. There are many variations of baba ganoush, but this recipe uses pomegranate molasses to add in a little more sweetness. Ingredients: 4 globe eggplants 7 tbsp. tahini 1 lemon, juiced 4 cloves of garlic […]
Recipe: Fattoush Salad
Fattoush salad is a common dish in the Middle East. It uses fresh veggies, pita in place of croutons, and is topped with a tangy pomegranate molasses vinaigrette. Salad Ingredients: 2 loaves pita bread Extra virgin olive oil Kosher salt 2 tsp. sumac, divided 1 heart of Romaine lettuce, chopped 1 English cucumber, chopped 5 […]
