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...
Yikes! It's been over 4 years since my last blog entry! To put it concisely, I've been on a much needed sabbatical that prioritised soul-searching and personal healing alongside focusing on finishing my second cookbook, The Jewelled Table, published by Hardie Grant and which came out this fall. I feel rather ready to embrace the world of blogging again and moving forward will endeavour to share recipes and other updates more...
Photography by Sarka Babicka This is my take on a popular Levantine dish of chickpeas and yogurt known as fattet* hummus or hummus (chickpea) crumble. The Arabic word fatteh is derived from the root word "fatta" (in Arabic root words are actually only three letters but let's not get into that). To translate it closely it would mean to break up, tear up, or crumble, which is what occurs to the bread in this recipe. This means that a true fatteh...
Have some leftover tabbouleh to use up? I've got just the recipe for you! Head on over to Design Sponge's In The Kitchen With for the recipe and story behind its inspiration.
When the lovely folks over at Food52 asked me to contribute an heirloom recipe for their blog, the first thing that came to mind was my grandmother's and aunt's kebbeh. For more on the story, the recipe (and some vintage pics) follow this link.
(Photography by Sarka Babicka) Here's one for the weekend I think you'll really enjoy. Great served at a BBQ (weather forecast looks promising) for everyone to nibble on while, say, the za'atar and pomegranate lamb riblets cook. Serve with a fattoush salad (see The Jewelled Kitchen), maybe some grilled sweet potatoes and you've got a lovely hassle-free meal. Happy weekend. x Smoked Mackerel and Chermoula Pâté with Beetroot Crisps...
And so after 2 years of burns, cuts and tears, The Jewelled Kitchen cookbook is officially out today and in bookstores across Europe and Australia, and the Middle East in a week's time (US launch is October 1st). My fellow blogging friends and I are celebrating by taking turns and posting a recipe a day on our respective blogs over the next couple of weeks. Some of us are even in for a reunion over the weekend at the Food Blogger Connect...
Dearest Zizi, Congratulations on your beautiful newborn baby boy, Adam! As a new mother and now that your hands are very full, I'll keep it short and simple, offering you some wise quotes to keep in mind: Always end the name of your child with a vowel, so that when you yell, the name will carry. ~ Bill Cosby Diaper backward spells repaid. Think about it. ~ Marshall McLuhan The worst feature of a new baby is its mother's singing. ~ Kin Hubbard...
Photography by Sarka Babicka Who doesn’t love roasties? I wrote a post about these a few years back, but thought I’d revisit them as my recipe writing skills have since improved tremendously (thankfully!) You can season them to your heart’s desire and here I’ve chosen to go with sumac; if you like, you can also throw in a few smashed, unpeeled garlic cloves. If you’ve got large appetites, double up the recipe. Sumac...
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...
Photography by Sarka Babicka As ever, it's been a busy few months. I thought things might slow down a tad after #FBC12, finally allowing me some time to catch up but alas, it has not been the case. I'm always happier when busy though, so not complaining. I've managed to swing a long weekend in Istanbul this coming weekend. If you happen to have any foodie suggestions, then please do send them my way. In the last post on DKS I introduced the...
Wheat Berry & Puy Lentil Salad with Oven-Roasted Aubergine & Harissa-Yogurt Dressing Author: Bethany Prep time: 15 mins Cook time: 1 hour Total time: 1 hour 15 mins Serves: 4 Wheat berries are whole, unprocessed wheat kernels and the basis of all wheat products. They are high in fibre, with a characteristically chewy texture, and although they take a while to cook, they do not require soaking, which is a bonus. Harissa is a North...
You may have noticed over the last couple of weeks that most of the photography has been the jaw-dropping work of the very talented lifestyle photographer Sarka Babicka. Over the last 3 years, Sarka and I have become close friends and several months back we decided to collaborate on a series of projects. What began as a weekend visit to my home in the West Country turned into a two-month long 'rock and roll' kibbutz experience. At the time, my...
Well folks, the #FBC12 "insane" giveaway has seen an incredible (1640 entries) turn out of participants. Thanks to all who participated and I'm thrilled to see so many of you keen to attend #FBC12, especially as returnees. Now, the news you've all been waiting to hear (maybe) .... A very big congratulations to a Rafflecopter giveaway Sally Prosser, please get in touch via email and we will arrange for your ticket and sessions to be booked....
Za'atar Fried Chicken Author: Bethany Prep time: 45 mins Cook time: 15 mins Total time: 1 hour Serves: 4 I can remember my love for garlic, or “toum,” since I was a little kid. I recall secret midnight snacks of Arabic bread generously smothered with the garlic sauce. This practice continues today, at which point my husband tends to disappear…This garlic sauce is probably like none other you’ve tasted before (unless you’ve...
Loubyeh b’ zeit or green beans in olive oil (although technically it's tomato sauce) is a Middle Eastern one-pot, vegetarian (you may add lamb but that's a whole other post) dish made of green beans, preferably runner beans, that are cooked with tomatoes and olive oil. It’s really incredibly simple to make, requires very few ingredients and one of my favorite ways to have green beans. It will also make a wonderful alternative to the...
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...
I've been in Lebanon for a month and a half now and I am starting to blow fuses because of the ridiculously slow internet connection. Apparently, there are only 3 other countries with worse internet than Lebanon and I was shocked to learn that internet in the Palestinian territories is actually much better. Since my arrival to Lebanon, one of the projects I've been working on is the photography for a Lebanese cookbook that was first written...
I'd like to thank you all so much for participating in the Lebanese Pantry Giveaway. I've really appreciated all your feedback! It's always a joy to hear what you have to say! You guys rock! I'm happy to announce and with the help of this website the lucky winner of the Lebanese Pantry Givewaway is Asha with comment # 7: "Asha@FSK 21 April 2010 at 1:55 am (Edit) # Love the new look and the Lebanese sections are fantastic!!! :) And, yes, awesome...
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