Photo by Sarka Babicka I call these scrambled eggs "loved-up" because of the amount of time, love and care I invest towards their perfect development. It's a slow process, without the addition of cream or butter, just a generous dollop of butter, on very low heat, and lots of stirring. The lavender pepper is inspired from a similar blend I came across when living in Maui, Hawaii. There was a nearby lavender farm that made delicious edible...
I’ve strayed from tradition here, as kebab karaz, as it’s known in Syria, is usually made with veal or lamb served on Arabic bread. The spices used are not at all typical and in the traditional manner, kebab karaz, is served over flattened Arabic bread with the sour cherry sauce drizzled over. This notorious dish, which hails from Aleppo, is a real rustic, comfort kind of food in its traditional form. It truly is an alluring demonstration...
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...
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...
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...
Mad About Chickpeas- Falafel Author: Bethany Prep time: 30 mins Cook time: 10 mins Total time: 40 mins Serves: 20-24 It’s commonly believed that falafel (known as taamiya in Egypt) originated millennia ago in Egypt, where they were prepared using a mixture of broad beans and chickpeas. I prefer to stick to the Lebanese version which uses chickpeas only, but don’t be tempted to the tinned variety, as they will fall apart. A versatile...