What is Ashta (Kashta)? If you’re familiar with Arabic and Lebanese sweets, you would know that “Ashta” is a major ingredient and is considered as the king of fillers. Ashta is a slang word for “Kashta” in classical Arabic, which …
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 …
We just came back from a visit to Lebanon and in the process captured a whole bunch of recipes straight from Mama’s kitchen. This Baba Ganoj recipe is our first installment for now. Is it Baba Ganoj or Ghannouj? It’s …
Okra is a commonly available veggie in Lebanon, and therefore the culture packs a few different ways of enjoying flavorful and rich sautes or stews made with it. Some of the traditional Okra recipes include the addition of meat (ground or chunks …
You’re about to experience one of the hardest-core of recipes in the traditional Lebanese Cuisine: Mujadara bi Fasolia. This is a Mujadara stew version made with kidney beans and Bulgur. Also called “Mujaddarat Loubieh”, aka, Mujadara with beans, this is …
People from my mother’s home village in Lebanon, Bakarkasha, are nicknamed “Batata” which is the Arabic word for “Potatoes.” Apparently they are known for their love for potatoes, and their many different ways of enjoying this food staple. Just the …
Some traditional Lebanese stews tend to have the simplest of ingredients yet the loveliest of flavors, as well as loads of vitamins and fibers. “Makhlouta” falls within this category. A literal English translation of the Arabic word Makhlouta is “mixed”, …
In previous posts we’ve featured a couple of Kibbeh recipe varieties, including grilled kibbe and vegetarian kibbe. Those are the type of dishes that most Lebanese cuisine fans are familiar with. However there exists another type of vegetarian kibbe that …
Mujadara is an amazingly simple, delicious and spice-less vegan dish in Lebanese cuisine (and many other countries’) made simply with lentils, rice and salt. It has no spices whatsoever. It is typically garnished with caramelized onions and served with a …
If you’re looking for an easy to make appetizer and which would inspire your guests to hail your talent and praise the Lord, look no no further than “Hot Garlic Potatoes.” This appetizer has simple ingredients, is filling, and its …
