Just Fast Food For the FOB When I first got off the boat in the US in the mid 90′s, one of the things that surprised me was the lack of healthy food options around. In fact, virtually all stores and restaurants in that small Midwest college town served what seemed like chain-grade processed food. …
Rice pudding is a universal dessert, found in many cultures, in different forms, and under different names. Lebanese peeps don’t have a monopoly on it this time. However what probably makes this a “Lebanese” version is the addition of orange blossom water (mazaher) to the recipe. In Lebanon this dessert is known as “Riz B …
This recipe is for a Middle Eastern dates dessert that we have no official name for, so we used the term Dates Fudge since it’s the closest in texture. In essence, it is pitted dates made into a paste, and then battered with melted butter, stuffed with nuts (walnuts, pistachio, or almonds) and then rolled and dipped …
Maamoul is a delicious traditional Middle Eastern cookie that is typically made on religious holidays such as Easter or Eid. What makes maamoul distinct are the subtle flavorings used in the dough and in the filling, including “Mahlab” aka Mahlepi an aromatic spice, rose water, orange blossom water, mistika, and in some cases acacia incense. …
“Biscuit au Chocolat” or chocolate fudge cookies was a home-made childhood treat that I haven’t had in such a long time. Yesterday I was in the mood for something sweet and all of a sudden I remembered this long lost flavor. I shot an email to mom in Lebanon and got her recipe a few …
Lebanese Nights, aka “Layali Lubnan” is an amazingly aromatic dessert that is quite refreshing in summer time. It has a rich complex taste stemming from subtle hints of Mastic (aka Mistika, or Mastika in Greek, or “Arabic Gum” (not to be mistaken with “Gum Arabic”) , orange blossom water and rose water. The bottom layer is …
Baklava, aka Baklawa is a Middle-Eastern dessert whose origins may go as far back as B.C times to the Assyrian civilization. Through the centuries, many neighboring countries adopted the delicacy and created their own versions. Today there are dozens of types of “Baklava” grouped in Lebanese Cuisine under “Arabic Sweets”. In its basic form, Baklava …
Kishk el Foukara is a Lebanese dessert that is extremely easy to prepare yet very rich in taste. The exact English translation of “Kishk el Foukara” is “Kiosk of the Poor,” an interestingly strange name indeed. It is also known in other areas of Lebanon as “Muha-lla-biyyeh”. It is absolutely delicious and a childhood favorite. …
Summer isn’t here yet. In fact we’re buried in snow and in sub-freezing temperatures in upstate NY, however today we couldn’t help but preparing one of our most favorite smoothies: the Watermelon Smoothie… So we thought we’d share the love We got introduced to this smoothie (or rather slushy) during our trips to Canada last …
