“Can’t wait to get organized” seems to have been my favourite moan phrase over the last two years. Over the last few weeks, and with the last of The Jewelled Kitchen book edits officially out of the way, I’ve finally found some down time to bring organization back into my life. Besides clearing up my desktop, folders, emails, and much more, I have also begun thinking about a new design/layout/feel for the blog, and look forward to reviving my hibernating Social Media accounts. Still much more to do but I’m already beginning to feel the calm that comes with being organized. It also helped, that with all these organizational duties came a much needed spring detox which I’ve thoroughly enjoyed, in particular the fruit salads and smoothies. I’m feeling much more invigorated and energetic which is comforting as the coming few months are set to be very busy.
I’m leaving for Lebanon in a week’s time where I’ll be headquartered for the next couple of months and am very much looking forward to the sun! I’ll be hosting another Taste Lebanon press trip for the Ministry of Tourism and Horeca in April, after which I’ll also lead some more Taste Lebanon tours (we still have a couple spots for the weekend escape in May ) and working on some other projects which will be announced soon. The Jewelled Kitchen cookbook will be on pre-order as of early next week and I’ll be announcing the details as soon as they’re available! I’m incredibly excited and can’t wait to tell you all about the cookbook, so do stay tuned!
In the meantime, I’ll leave you with these moreish labneh and dukkah deviled eggs which I made almost a year ago now but never managed to post them till now! Here’s the recipe for the labneh or strained yogurt used in the recipe. The stunning photography is by my talented friend Sarka Babicka, who is also the photographer behind The Jewelled Kitchen!
- 4 eggs
- 15g/1/2 oz (about 6 pieces) macadamia/hazelnuts
- ½ tsp sesame seeds
- ¼ tsp coriander
- ¼ tsp cumin
- 2 tbsp strained yogurt or labneh
- 1 tbsp finely chopped cucumber
- 1 tbsp finely chopped mint
- pinch of salt
- freshly ground black pepper
- Sumac, for sprinkling
- Place a saucepan over medium heat, add 4 eggs and boil them until hard, about 8-10 minutes. Meanwhile, place a dry sauté pan on medium- low heat and dry toast the macadamia or hazelnuts for a couple of minutes tossing them around often. Repeat with the coriander seeds, cumin seeds and sesame seeds, all in one go, until they are aromatic or golden, about 2 minutes. Transfer the toasted macadamia and spice mixture to a spice grinder and grind them roughly for about 30 seconds.
- Remove the saucepan which contains the eggs from the stove, turn off the heat, and drain the water, then quickly run the eggs under cold water to cool them down and make peeling them more manageable. Once you’ve peeled them, slice through the egg lengthwise, remove the yellow yolk and transfer the yolk to a bowl. To the bowl, add the yogurt, the toasted and ground nut and spice mixture, cucumber, half the mint and a pinch of salt. Mix well, taste and adjust seasoning to your liking. Spoon a little of the yolk mixture into the craters of the egg whites and sprinkle with a dusting of sumac and mint, if desired.
Fellow Lebanese blogger and wonderful food writer, Maureen Abood also posted a recipe last week for deviled eggs. Thought you might enjoy them too.
Looks delicious…and makes me miss Lebanon // @Bethanykd: New recipe up on the blog! Labneh and Dukkah Deviled Eggs http://t.co/maqHyS4Dcf
Thanks Bethany- hope you get to visit again!
Congratulations Beth on your book! I can’t wait to read it. Stunning pictures by Sarka as always!
Thanks Regula 🙂
Labneh & Dukkah Deviled Eggs http://t.co/SLdw22HKCB
RT @Kehdy: MIddle Eastern inspired deviled eggs… yes please! These are so good!… http://t.co/wjQ9CaBkZ9
RT @Bethanykd: New recipe up on the blog! Labneh and Dukkah Deviled Eggs! http://t.co/398RKk9BkS
Labneh & Dukkah Deviled Eggs on Dirty Kitchen Secrets by @bethanykd http://t.co/5SoqIkPfZ0 #food #Lebanon
What’s your favourite breakfast? Labneh & Dukkah Deviled Eggs from Dirty Kitchen Secrets is high on our list http://t.co/NEpJLZQXJW #Lebanon
It’s a fasting day, so naturally the first thing I read about is @Bethanykd’s awesome-looking deviled eggs. http://t.co/QV2HdCe6lN
Bethany, can you clarify this part: Para 1 says take the nuts and spices and grind after toasting. Para 2 says add sesame seeds, coriander, cumin to yogurt. I don’t see where there were any spices left to use from Para 1???? Do I add more sesame seeds and coriander or do you mean the entire nut/spice mixture is added to the yogurt/cucumber/mint and yolk bowl….? Thank you.
Hi Linda, that means the whole toasted nut and spice mixture is ground and then added to the yolk. Hope this clarifies.
Gorgeous! I want to make this recipe for my sister’s bridal shower as a finger food option.
I hope it went down a treat!