Thursday, July 31, 2014

658. Pomegranate Quail


I don't really like quail; awful, I know. When we do have quail at home, I feel bad eating it because all I eat are the legs and thighs, so why kill a whole bird if I won't eat it all?
This recipe however, made me happily eat the entire quail, and then another!

Monday, July 28, 2014

Guest Post: JUMA Kubba Mosul


Eid Mubarak everyone! May Allah shower His blessings on us and accept our departed as martyrs.
I have the great pleasure of introducing the writer behind MCW's first guest post, the amazing Iraqi food enthusiast Philip from London.

Friday, July 25, 2014

656. Parmesan Filo Crisps


Salty Parmesan and herbs encased in a paper-thin crisp pastry dunked in honeyed luscious thick yogurt does sound strange indeed, but it is a combination you would have to try to believe it works.

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

655. Frozen Banana Peanut Butter Bites


These chocolate-covered frozen banana-peanut bites can almost be pulled of as healthy.
Dark chocolate? Superfood.
Bananas? Potassium bank.
Peanut butter and coconut oil? Healthy fats and filling.

Monday, July 21, 2014

654. Chicken Coconut Korma


I am very intrigued by the depth of flavor coconut milk lends to a dish.
I first tried it in the chickpea vegan curry and I absolutely loved it.

Saturday, July 19, 2014

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

652. Qamr Al Deen Apricot Drink


Qamr Aldeen (قمر الدين) is a tangy-sweet apricot fruit leather that was my absolute favorite candy as a child.
During Ramadan, it is quite popular to make a juice from this thick apricot leather.

Monday, July 14, 2014

651. Lamb Kofta with Tahini and Pom Chili Jam


This dish was a masterpiece, both visually and gastronomically.
It comprises of three separate and completely different components, that when brought together make for the perfect and most amazing eating experience.

Saturday, July 12, 2014

650. Baked Felafel Loaf Sandwiches


Who doesn't love a good felafel?
The thing is, felafels are fried, which doesn't make them suitable as an everyday food... until now!

Monday, July 7, 2014

648. Hibiscus (Karkaday) Lemonade


Hibiscus (الكركديه) can be made into a hot tea infusion or a cold drink.
So to shake thing up from my regular hibiscus drink, I decided to make hibiscus lemonade.
Excellent decision it was, and everyone loved it.

Saturday, July 5, 2014

Friday, July 4, 2014

646. Ramadan Suhoor Table

During the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims break their fast at sunset.
It is Sunna and highly encouraged to eat and drink something before the Fajr prayer in the last third of the night, a mini-meal named Suhoor (السحور).
Customs here merge with Sunna, and many people have different preferences over what they consume during the suhoor. More often than not, it might be leftovers of the Iftar meal.
However, setting up a small variety of traditional staples (and then some more non-traditional extras) to be on hand is, well, a handy arrangement to have for the family throughout the month.
You must have dried fruits and nuts. Dried apricots, figs, prunes, raisins, and of course dates (Sunna) are a must. Walnuts and almonds and whatever nuts you fancy. I put raw unsalted nuts, as the roasted salted variety would make us thirstier the next day during fasting.

Thursday, July 3, 2014

645. Lamb Koftas with Mint Yogurt Dressing


I was inspired to make this recipe from a cooking show.
What was unusual for me was that the onion and garlic is cooked and cooled before incorporating it into the lamb mixture. Let me tell you, the second the kofta hit the griddle pan, the smell was fragrant and amazing.

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

644. Green Pea Mint Dip


This recipe surprised me in the best of ways.
It is delicious, hearty, and filling, without a carb in sight!