Thursday, July 3, 2025

1890. SD Discard Cheese Mint Galette


The week after I made the SD zaatar galette, I still didn't need to restock my sourdough freezer stash, so I made another galette, this time cheese with dry mint and olives. A properly heated pan even without the toxic teflon coating become naturally nonstick, so do not skim on pre-heating time.

Tuesday, July 1, 2025

1889. SD Discard Zaatar Galette


There is a gradual shift in my kitchen that's been in the making for years now, and the transformation is not yet complete. Slowly yet surely, I am replacing teflon pots and pans with stainless steel and cast iron; commercial yeast with sourdough; store-bought and shelf-stable flour with freshly milled wheat; among some other micro-changes. 

Monday, June 30, 2025

1888. Sour Lebna Balls


I was lucky to get my hands on a no-nonsense natural yogurt starter from a Turkish expat who got it from her mom. I have been making yogurt and straining it into greek-style yogurt weekly for months now. It was just a matter of time before experimenting with degrees of sourness and making these lebna balls.

Monday, June 23, 2025

1887. Savory Zaatar Cake


Wonderful Levant flavors are combined in this savory cake that can be sliced and served with lashings of lebne in place of frosting. Fresh zaatar leaves, olives, cheese, and nigella seeds are only some of the flavor notes. 

Sunday, June 22, 2025

1886. Purslane Fateer


A couple of weeks ago I had a hanker for lemony, tangy, fresh spinach fateer made from scratch right at home. I checked four or five different sores, online and in person, and none had fresh spinach. In the last one, I found two bundles of purslane, or bakle, so fate was sealed. 

Wednesday, June 18, 2025

1885. Cypriot Basturma and Haloomi Pitas


Almost ten years ago (!) I published a recipe on freezer Iraqi basturma. It is completely different from the Armenian basturma. These Cypriot basturmas follow a very similar pattern wherein the meat is heavily spiced and garlicked. Freezing them into mini-rods makes the slicing easier. 

Sunday, June 15, 2025

1884. Brisket Rashers


America has glorified the consumption of bacon for breakfast. It is a coveted favorite in any hollywood movie. Everyone glazes over the fact that they come from a pig, which is one of the worst things a person can eat, and is absolutely saturated in nitrates and other cancer-causing preservatives. Cue these one-ingredient beef brisket rashers. 

Thursday, May 22, 2025

1883. Café Style French Toast


Using just a few key ingredients, this café worthy french toast is a hack worth saving and making on repeat for the weekends. 

Wednesday, May 21, 2025

1882. Tuna Rice in Seaweed


This is a simple Asian meal putting leftover rice to good use, and the protein form tuna cans. 

Tuesday, May 20, 2025

1881. Autumn Kale Panzanella Salad


A panzanella salad is enjoyable any time of ear and a wonderful excuse to have bread in your salad. A traditionally panzanella consists of height-of-summer tomatoes. This autumnal version is made up of kale and butternut squash.