Let me to introduce you to the arabesque cousin of Pasta Puttanesca -Italian for 'in the style of prostitutes'- said cousin is the Arabesque Pasta Sharmatesca, pronounced with an Italian accent, to sound classier. The pasta sharmatesca differs to the pasta puttanesca with the addition of makdous which is pickled aubergines stuffed with walnuts and chilli. It’s not entirely a substitute for the capers, which you could do though. I used...
There are many schools of thought on the origin of the Scotch egg. Of the two most notable, the first claims it was invented by the London department store Fortnum & Mason in 1738 and the other claim is that it traveled from Persia to India with the Moghuls, where it is now known as nargisi kofta. In fact, a version of a kafta-encased egg appears in several volumes of Middle Eastern cookery books, including my upcoming cookbook. Anyone have...
No Thanksgiving or Christmas table is ever complete without a green bean casserole. Over the years, I've made several kinds depending on my mood; there's the classic creamy green bean casserole, the Lebanese version with tomato sauce (loubieh b zeit) or this lighter and refreshing version below. Green beans with feta and caramelised onions Serves: 4 Prep time: 20 minutes Cooking time: 25 minutes 500g/1lb 2 oz green beans 2 tbsp olive oil 2...
Cider Can Turkey with Nutty Couscous Author: Bethany Prep time: 20 mins Cook time: 2 hours 30 mins Total time: 2 hours 50 mins Serves: 6 It’s always best to bring a turkey to room temperature for at least an hour before cooking it, as this allows it to cook evenly. In addition, follow Harold McGee’s advice and apply an icepack to the breast during the last 30 minutes of this defrosting period, as this will slow down the...
Pomegranate and Cider-Glazed Ham Author: Bethany Prep time: 20 mins Cook time: 2 hours Total time: 2 hours 20 mins Serves: 6-8 Go ahead, call me crazy, but I think Johnny Depp and pomegranate molasses have a lot in common. Seductive chameleons, whether on screen or on a plate, they are truly versatile star acts. Captivating and bold with a sharp attitude, they can make you swoon into consensual submission. Think Johnny Depp in the Rum Diary...
Banana, Rum and Macadamia Cake Author: Bethany Prep time: 10 mins Cook time: 1 hour Total time: 1 hour 10 mins Serves: 8 This versatile recipe makes either a sweet banana, rum and macadamia cake or (by reducing the sugar quantity) an equally delicious banana bread, just waiting to be spread generously with butter while it is still warm from the oven. Heaven on Earth! I find the sweetness of the cake just right, but you could add a rum drizzle...
There's something dreamy about courgette blossoms. They are incredibly delicate and I love their vibrant green and yellow tones. I was first introduced to the idea of eating a courgette flower, in my early teens, nowhere else but in Provence by my, then, French step-mother. She didn't do much to them but drop them in a light batter before frying them. They were simple but so wonderfully fulfilling. Having grown up, for part of my childhood on a...
Yup, it has been a good while since I've last posted. I have been and still am incredibly busy but I won't bore you with the what/where/how. Things will soon unravel in their own time. Meanwhile, I've got a stellar recipe for you. It's inspired by Lebanon, of course, and by my wonderful visits to Abu Kassem, but also from the Food Blogger Connect 2011 goodie bag. The lovely people over at Steenbergs were kind enough to provide us with some...
What's your idea of a perfect holiday? Mine? My bottom perfectly poised on a sandy beach, chilled music in the background, a good self-help book (because everyone needs help), a few tropical cocktails to set things in motion, and of course a good-looking charmer sweet-talking me all the way. Luckily, I'm married to one so that's already a given! And, where will my bottom be settling in the next 10 days, you ask? Ah, it will be on one of the...
Can you believe it's March already? I woke up this morning completely unaware that we had stepped into a new month, till I received the news on Twitter (the source of most if not all my information these days)! Oh how I love March! March means the onset of spring even though it isn't officially spring till March 20th also known as the Vernal Equinox. It's a great month that signals a fresh start, longer days, the chirping of birds, the...
We've been enjoying this soup for about two months now and we're still not bored of it. It's so delicious and a fantastic option for those of you looking to lighten up after the holidays. I enjoy fennel any way it comes but turning it into a warming soup as the snow tumbles outside, is the perfect cure for the winter blues. Adding flakes of white fish like cod makes it even more fulfilling and a perfect way to end the day while still keeping...
Happy New Year! The festivities have come to an end and now we make way for a new year and a new decade. I wish that the coming year brings everyone real happiness and sets you off into this fresh decade on the right path. For many of us, the delicious celebrations that we merrily welcome are also jubilantly welcomed by our waistlines. It's no secret that many of us start the new year with mighty resolutions, swearing that we will finally put...
For those of you that know me, you will perhaps know that I don't have much of a sweet tooth. However, I do absolutely love chocolate truffles as they are not sickly but more bitter sweet. These are the types of sweets I really enjoy. I couldn't really decide on any particular flavour to go with. I had several ideas lurking in my mind like Orange Blossom Flower and Pistachios, Chile and Vodka, Rum and Coconut, Brandy and Ginger, and simply just...
My friend Sacha came over the other day, to show me how to make this cake. It's one of her family favourites and was developed by her au pair, Maria. I've made it twice since Thursday and plan on making it again for my visitors this week-end! Revised 08/09: " keep making this, everyone is swearing the best summer cake they have ever had!" In other words, It's rocking my world. It's a fun, zesty, light and fluffy summer cake that uses no...
" I'm giving away a $50 Sur La Table gift card. READ ON TO ENTER!" I recently made this salad for my niece Vanessa who loved it so much; she now proclaims it one of her favourite salads. After watching me do a few cooking videos for the blog, she decided that she, too, wanted to be part of the "web show", as she likes to call it. Given that this is her favorite salad now, I showed her how to make it on her own. In the video below, Vanessa...
I've procrastinated for about a year now about filming a video recipe... Mainly because I knew how amateur it was going to look and as you can see it is! BUT, I guess I did have some fun and broke the ice as they say. I used a canon powershot, secured on a tri-pod, and this was a one-woman show. In fact, I think it's also pertinent you know that I passed on a shopping trip. Dedicated I know :) That's my niece enjoying a burger with no...
I first had this dish when I was 16, at the Planet Hollywood in Cannes, France. We (my cousin and I) were young and wanted to separate from our parents, and we thought Planet Hollywood was hip and cool. I still remember the taste of that penne. It was mind blowing; like fireworks going off in my mouth celebrating the distinct marriage of rich, velvety smooth cream with the juicy tomatoes brought elevated by the alcohol in the vodka. Upon my...
I've rejoiced in the pleasures of Ceviche for quite some time. I think my first introduction was back in Miami. Chris and I, would often escape to the Florida Keys for some fishing and down time. We would rent a boat, and spend the day scouring the reefs for some edibles. Chris would hang his fishing rod over the side of the boat, while I would lounge on the back of the boat, till a huge rogue wave would come up behind me and give me a good...
My first taste of a lettuce veloute, was in New York, a few weeks ago. I never thought mushy lettuce could blossom in a soup. It was velvety smooth and it felt strange that it tasted so well. And I suppose why not we use a lot of different greens we eat in salads to make soups too. So, as soon as I got home, I ventured into the kitchen in an effort to re-create something similar. With the weather finally nearing pleasant temperatures, I...
This week, I was lucky enough to pin down Arlette, a family friend of Portuguese origin, and get her cooking with me in the kitchen. She shared a delicious Portuguese fish recipe while I tried my best during the whole lovely experience to snap a picture of her, but to no avail. She said she would rather remain mysterious, like the 'dark side of the moon'. I was not prepared to argue with this tough Portuguese cookie. This is one of those...
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