Tuesday, December 29, 2015

895. Buffalo Chicken Meatballs


This is a fast weekday meal with a punch of flavor. Served alongside a carb of choice (potatoes or bread or rice) and a healthy side of sauteed or steamed or roasted vegetables, it makes for a hassle-free and go-to dish.

Friday, December 25, 2015

894. Strawberry Jam Oat Bars


These nostalgic fruit jam bars are so easy to make and please all from the ages of 3 to 70 alike. Part of what is so fantastic about them is that the recipes uses all pantry staples, and we need those kinds of recipes once in a while.

Monday, December 21, 2015

893. Coconut Chicken Curry


Curry is such a broad term for a variety of stews from India, to Thailand, and more. Although no chicken curry can surpass my favorite, I do have a few here on MCW that are not only chicken based, but also vegan versions and seafood ones. The addition of coconut milk makes a curry magical to me. This colorful curry is a great weekday meal.

Friday, December 18, 2015

892. Gingerbread Cookie Icebox Cake


For me, this is a new-age type of cake. It is not a cake in the traditional sense at all; rather it is composed of staked cookies, with sweetened whipped cream sandwiching the layers in between. Given the concept, one can imagine how the varieties can be endless.

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

891. Pumpkin Seed Granola


I love my trusty granola recipe and have made it countless times. This is the simplified and stripped-down version which also lends itself to endless varieties. The star of the show are the pumpkin seeds, but there are also flax seeds in there and feel free to add/substitute for sesame and sunflower seeds as well.

Thursday, December 10, 2015

890. Syrian Roast Lemon Garlic Chicken


How can one talk about Syrian food without mentioning Syrian people? Such a fertile and blessed land loved by Prophets travelers alike. Such a bountiful people and land where hospitality knows no bounds and fruit tree branches hang low from their blessed load. May Allah take vengeance for Iraq and Syria and every Muslim nation victimized by the enemy.

Saturday, December 5, 2015

889. Brazilian Carrot Cake


This Brazilian carrot cake, Bolo de Cenoura, has little to do with the traditional carrot cake we know internationally. This vibrant orange colored carrot cake gets its color completely naturally from blended carrots.

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

888. Iraqi White Bean Salad


The use of pulses in salads is not a new concept, and is one especially popular in Middle Eastern cuisine.
Some bean/pulses salads here on MCW are chickpea, black eyed peas, and lentils.

Friday, November 27, 2015

886. Coconut Steamed Crabs


A huge part of influence on a county's culture comes from its immigrants. In regards to the Arabian Gulf, the Indian influence is undeniable and can be seen in everything from karak and biryani to henna parties and movie screenings. The Filipino influence is just as prominent, as displayed by population statistics.

Sunday, November 22, 2015

885. Pitaya Smoothie Bowl


Smoothie bowls have been all the rage in culinary 2015. It is exactly what the name entails: a smoothie poured in a bowl. The difference is that in a regular smoothie you blend all the fixings (seeds, other fruit, etc) in and slurp the lot. Smoothie bowls allow you to see your toppings and eat them like soup in a bowl.

Thursday, November 19, 2015

884. Fresh Ginger and Molasses Cake


Having bottled a bounty of date molasses in the late Summer, I am enjoying using it in various recipes.
Given the cooling Season, spicy ginger and date molasses combinations are more than welcome.

Monday, November 16, 2015

883. Whipped Feta Tomato Crostini


The difference between a crostini and a bruschetta is that the latter's toasted bread is rubbed with some garlic before it is topped. So I already have a Spanish tomato bruschetta on MCW, but this tomato crostini is special because of the whipped feta.

Friday, November 13, 2015

882. Coddled Eggs


Coddled eggs are basically soft cooked eggs that have their shell removed and are cooked in a container in a water bath. Butter the sides of a Bonne Maman jar, add a couple of ingredients, crack the egg inside, and bake in a water bath.

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

881. Saudi Banana Maasoub


This month's MENA Cooking Club feature is the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The MENA Cooking Club explores the differences and similarities of the Middle East and North African countries through local cuisine. Previous entries include Algeria, Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Malta, Morocco, Oman, Occupied Palestine, and most recently Qatar.

Sunday, November 8, 2015

880. Green Beans Gremolata


This green beans side dish is a wonderful compliment to poultry, red meats, or fish alike.
Gremolata is an Italian condiment made of lemon zest, garlic, and chopped parsley. This gremolata has added substance by  adding fried fresh breadcrumbs to the mix.

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

879. Steak Garlic Sandwich


A steak sandwich is called for once in a blue moon (or so), and the variations are endless. Last time was the cheese steak sandwich, this time its two types of cheese plus a fair bit of peppery rocket leaves.

Thursday, October 29, 2015

878. Multicolor Beet Salad


This is the perfect Autumnal salad with all the beetroot, carrot, peas, cabbage, and the amazing potato. The potato is just like chips-fries and it completely makes you forget this is a salad.

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

877. Jamie's Shepherd's Pie


Full disclosure, this shepherd's pie is from Jamie Oliver's Comfort Food cookbook and my family and I agree that my cottage pie is so much better. Having said that, Jamie did suggest to serve this pie with "lots of condiments" so when we ate it with HP it was much better and not so bland.

Saturday, October 24, 2015

876. Iraqi Aashouriya


Aashouriya (عاشورية) is a dish many Muslim cultures have versions of, and it is made for the occasion of Ashoura (عاشوراء). The foundation is always the same: dried grains and dried pulses cooked to a sort of sweet pudding which may or may nor include dried fruits as well.

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

875. North African Aubergines and Couscous


While this vegetarian dish is not necessarily be authentically North African, the flavor combinations in it most certainly are. Preserved limes, briny olives, sweet sultanas, fresh coriander and mint, cooling yogurt, earthy cumin, nuttiness and the indisputable couscous among others.

Sunday, October 18, 2015

874. Taco Cups


Cupcake or muffin tins have so many uses that people have even written cookbooks on foods made in them! Similar to loaded nachos, this is the mini version with some changes.

Friday, October 16, 2015

873. Aubergine Puffs


Is there any food wrapped in puff pastry and baked to a flaky, golden, and crisp finish that isn't good? Some examples right here on MCW are: shrimp, meat leaf, cheese, and zaatar among others.

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

872. Green Beans in Tomato


Green beans in tomato is a dish so wide-spread that many countries consider it their own. Iraq definitely, but also Turkey, Greece, and Cyprus. In fact, this was one of my mother's favorite dishes to prepare. You can eat it hot, warm, or cold.

Sunday, October 11, 2015

871. Tahini Potato Baked Kofta


Tahini Potato Baked Kofta is a Levantine classic, but it is an acquired taste of a dish. Kofta discs are put in a pool of tangy tahini sauce, covered in overlapping discs of parboiled potato, and baked to a bubbly welcoming dish.

Friday, October 9, 2015

870. Coconut Shrimp Curry


Similar to the meatball kale stew, this is a fast and healthy meal, easy to put together and packed with flavor. Coconut milk brings everything together once again, and the protein of choice is shrimp.

Monday, October 5, 2015

869. Bran Cake Loaf


This cake has immediately catapulted to being one of my favorite cakes. No sooner has the cake neared finishing do I have a new one baking in the oven. It's that good. Who could believe that its majorly healthy to boot?

Saturday, October 3, 2015

868. Asian Chicken Salad


This salad mirrors Asian flavors through the combination of purple cabbage, carrots, and fresh coriander. Lime, soy sauce, and chili also go in the dressing. As for the chicken, you can poach it, but I preferred to bread and lightly fry it instead.

Thursday, October 1, 2015

867. Meatball Kale Stew


This stew is actually something of a cross between a curry and a soup. You can adjust the thickness to your liking. The coconut milk lends a very subtle and smooth flavor to this stew, and the kale is a hearty compliment to the meatballs.

Sunday, September 27, 2015

866. Treacle Tart


Treacle tart for me equates Harry Potter and Hogwarts' House Tables heaving with delicious and welcoming food. It is a traditional British dessert, and very simple and easy to make provided you can get your hands on a tin of golden syrup.

Thursday, September 24, 2015

865. Iraqi Diheena Halwa


Eid Al Adha mubarak to all my fellow brothers and sisters in Islam. May Allah guide us to the Straight Path and be pleased with us.
Dubbed the Iraqi Fudge, Diheena (الدهينية) is an ancient recipe developed through the ages. Like many ancient arts, the specialists make it best. Nowadays you have to dodge bullets of idolators in Najaf just to get a taste of Diheena, so you can try this home made version instead.

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

864. Roast Prune Chicken


And the roast chicken chronicles continue. This time, it's a surprisingly complex and flavorsome combination of the strangest ingredients tossed together and baked. My first of mixing soy sauce and pomegranate molasses was hesitant, but wildly successful stovetop chicken here. This recipe even has mango chutney in it!

Sunday, September 20, 2015

863. Blue Cheese Walnut Gnocchi


True, I made this sauce with gnocci, but it would work just as well with most pastas. The combination of blue cheese and walnuts is a winning one. Just try a slice of Bresse Bleu with a walnut half over an oat cracker and you'll see.

Friday, September 18, 2015

862. Red Velvet Baked Donuts


It seems like red velvet is quickly becoming a thing here on MCW: cupcakes, brownies, and brownie cake, cheesecake, and now baked donuts. This cream cheese frosting competes for attention just as much as the cake/baked good.

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

861. Cinnamon Baked Donuts


I went and bought a mini-donut baking tin, and I like it, too. These donuts would fare best in the colder seasons, as the warmth of cinnamon and nutmeg strongly urge you to combine them with a steaming mug of hot chocolate or coffee. But who really cares what season it is when cooking?

Monday, September 14, 2015

860. Puffed Meat Loaf


If the genes of a beef wellington and a meat loaf were to be crossed, this puffed meat loaf would be the resulting offspring. Individual pockets of seared minced meat patties, sandwiched over sauteed mushroom and topped with creamy spinach, all wrapped in a golden puffed crust.

Saturday, September 12, 2015

859. Gratin Dauphinois


Gratin dauphinois is a French-Swiss potato dish cooked very simply where thinly sliced potatoes release their natural starch to thicken their own milky-creamy bath. That's right: no flour or cornstarch thickeners here.

Thursday, September 10, 2015

858. Qatari Rangina Cups


This month's MENA Cooking Club feature is Qatar, which couldn't have come at a better time because 'tis the season of fresh dates! Fresh dates mean Rangina making, pronto. The MENA Cooking Club explores the differences and similarities of the Middle East and North African countries through local cuisine. Previous entries include Algeria, Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Malta, Morocco, Oman, and Occupied Palestine.

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

857. Chickpea Fetta


I mentioned in my chicken fetta post how versatile the fetta is and how you can create your own based on what ingredients you have on hand. Some have rice, some have bread, some have both. Some have become classics because of how popular, easy, and readily available the ingredients are. This chickpea fetta (فتة الحمص) is one of those classics.

Sunday, September 6, 2015

856. Shrimp Cocktail Salad


Shrimp cocktail had its basking days in the seventies, but it has remained a classic ever since for a reason. It is easily served as a quick lunch for one as it is as an elegant hors d'oevres for a crowd at a formal gathering.

Saturday, September 5, 2015

855. Black and Blue Clafoutis


Clafoutis is a classic French dessert traditionally made with cherries. It is a batter that is something between a pancake and a custard, studded with fruit, and baked until just set. This beautiful velvety clafoutis uses blueberries and blackberries

Thursday, September 3, 2015

854. Biscuits and Gravy


America, country of co-existing extremes, has a knack for culture-merging and creating hypes. The story of its biscuits and gravy is a rather touching one. Originally, it was created by mothers of poor families using cheap sausage and poured over the biscuits (something if a bread or savory cookie) to feed their families with some vague semblance of meat as meat was unaffordable.

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

853. Cheesy Garlic Loaf


A four ingredient loaf of bread is whipped up and baked in an hour or less, and if then stuffed in a flavorsome cheesy garlic concoction to make an excellent home made garlic bread loaf.

Saturday, August 29, 2015

852. Whole Wheat Bread Loaf


I have struggled a fair bit in the bread making department and truly believed my success is limited to a decent loaf of 5 minute artisan bread (a nifty base recipe with endless varieties including amazing stecca, focaccia, and pull apart). This is the recipe that changed my bread making universe. The fact that it's wholewheat makes it all the more tasty!

Thursday, August 27, 2015

851. Banoffee Pie


Although my banoffee pudding is famous and highly requested among friends and family, it is a spin off the classic Banoffee Pie. This is the banoffee pie! Layers of biscuit crust, dense dulce de leche, slices of fresh banana, and a fluffy topping of freshly whipped cream.

Monday, August 24, 2015

850. Red Velvet Cheesecake


I keep claiming that Red Velvet is nothing more than a dyed weak chocolate cake yet I keep finding myself making variations of it! What can I say? People love it. After the brownies, brownie cake, and cupcakes, comes today's red velvet cheesecake.

Sunday, August 23, 2015

849. Chicken Mushroom Tepsi


The secret of the flavor, she told me, lies in using both cooking cream as well as whipping cream.
A light dish, this is not. But the coziness, deliciousness, and flavor makes up for it. This is a recipe invented and given to me by a dear sister and friend. It's something of a chicken pie, with an kinship to hachis parmentier and cottage pie.

Saturday, August 22, 2015

848. Citrus Scrub (Non Edible)


Citrus are widely used for their health benefits both through consumption and exterior skin application.
The essential oils in the zest of citrus are invigorating and energizing, and are the main feature of this scrub.

Friday, August 21, 2015

847. Broccoli Mushroom Pasta Bake


I seem to prefer baked pasta dishes to stove top ones. My baked mac and cheese is pretty phenomenal, although my stove top shrimp broccoli fettuccine is also hard to beat. This pasta bake incorporates broccoli and mushroom and whole wheat torsade or fusilli pasta.

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

846. Melon Mozarella Viande Sechee Salad


Remember the melon wrapped in viande sechée I made a while back? Well this salad is a more formal form of that rustic version and is just as easy to make and presents much better.