Sunday, April 19, 2020

Best of MCW 201-300


This is a longer-than-average Best Of MCW post, with almost 50 out of the third 100 posts featured. What can I say? They are that good. A veritable delicious mishmash collection of prominently Iraqi, but also quite a bit of Asian, seafood, and international dishes. Perfect timing for the upcoming holy month of Ramadan.
You can see part 1 and part 2 before. For part 3 we kick off with Iraqi chicken tashreeb, which is deceptively simple for something that is much greater than the sum of its parts.

 Fried Iraqi Iroog can be served as a side to the main meal, but it is also a popular dinner item.

 Iraqi Carrot Rice, also supposed to be a side, but quite happily consumed as the main event itself.

 Iraqi Spinach Stew. So popular it's even got chicken and vegetarian versions of itself.

 Iraqi Turnip Kubba Soup. Don't let the nomenclature deceive you, while this is a soup, its also a one-pot meal.

 Roast Leg of Lamb. Classic must-have in any cooking repertoire.

 Iraqi White Bean Stew. Iraqis love their stews, and that love manifests in the delicious and homey flavor.

 Iraqi Sumac Roast Chicken. Quite possible your favorite roast chicken once you give it a go.

 Iraqi Chicken Saffron Stew. Lemony and delicious, don't be fooled by its humble looks.

 Chicken Fetteh. I've made this countless times.

 Roast Salmon with beans. Comes together in 5 minutes, bakes in 10 minutes. Seriously Best-Of worthy.
 Salt Crusted Whole Fish. Contrary to what you would think, the fish is not overly-salty at all. The salt draws out moisture from the flesh and gives it an amazing taste.

 Moules Frites. I've got some great associations with this one. Serve the white soupy sauce on the side.
 Sweet Chilli Shrimp. The definition of Asian express.

Soy Glazed Salmon. Another express Asian recipe; one of my first ever successes.

Chinese Chicken. Saucy and classic stir-fry at home.

Chinese Fried Rice. Can't have all these Asian recipes without some Asian rice, right?

Vegetable Spring Rolls. Americans call these egg rolls which confused me for the longest time. Either way, you can't go wrong with these on the menu.

Broccoli Stir Fry. The last Asian recipe of the compilation, I would be happy munching on these by their lonesome.

Roast Vegetables. Speaking of munching on by their lonesome, this is such a recipe that is great alone as it is beside a roast leg of lamb.

Cabbage Rolls. We love our mahshis as Arabs, hence the giant repertoire of stuffed and rolled food. But cabbage rolls are a serious contender with vineleaves; I can't make up my mind which one wins.

Iraqi Potato Chap. A close second to Kubba Halab.

Sambusa. Iraqi, Indian, or Khaiji, it's all different versions of the same deliciousness.

Tray Kubba. All the flavor of kubba but with a fraction of the work.

Pumpkin Soup. As soothing to the stomach as it is for the heart.

Iraqi Lablabi. Who knew boiled chickpeas could be so so good?

Tabboula. A classic, we could have this every day without complaint.

Iraqi Turnip Pickles. My favorite pickles.

Zaatar Cheese Sandwiches. The freshness from the tomato and mint leaves in this sandwich inject an amazing overall flavor you will seek time and time again.

Zaatar Toasties. I grew up on these. Toasted baguette slices and all.

Spanish Tortilla. This features as a frequent breakfast for dinner.

Kiri Croissants. Once you pop one, you can't stop.

Date Kleicha.  My beloved aunt's recipe lovingly passed on to me.

Pignoles Tarts. No need to drop by Rue de Marche to this amazing treat.

Pistachio Biscotti. So elegant yet so easy to make. Just needs a bit of planning since it is twice baked.

Alfajores are Latino dulce de leche sandwich cookies. Another mega-elegant tea time favorite that is very simple to make.

Home Made Granola. Mornings cannot go amiss with a jar of these at home.

Salted Caramel Chocolate Cake. My first layer cake, combining amazing flavors.

Everyday Tiramisu. Not authentic, but a great pay-off using available ingredients and no raw egg.

Twix Mix. If ever there was a Top 10 Spoonable Desserts list, this would be on it.

Zimtsterne Cinnamon Stars. Oh the memories! Only four ingredients to recreate this wonder.

Oat M&M Cookies. No need to create a sales pitch for this one.

Rice Mohalabi Pudding. Usually made with cornflour, it was my mom who used rice powder to inject an amazing texture and flavor profile to this classic.

Lemon Ginger Infusion. Oddly enough, this is something I absolutely abhor yet find myself seeking its curative benefits over and over in times of sickness. A miracle tisane if there ever was one.

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