1522. Smoked Salmon Spread

This is the sort of canape that is usually served in winter parties. Smoked salmon must be treated with care regarding the temperature of the environment and how long it sits out of the refrigerator because it can cause serious food poisoning. Keeping that in mind, you do not need a special occasion to make this smoked salmon spread.

1521. Lahm Ajeen Wraps

Made using a few wholesome shortcuts, this delicious lunch was made and served in 15 minutes flat. Ready fresh raw kafta mix and semi-whole wheat roti breads were the shortcuts in this case. Simply spread the kafta mix over the bread and bake it for 10-12 minutes. Prep the rest as it bakes.

1520. Pesto Pasta with Chicken Escalope

One pot for the pasta, another for the sauce, and one more pan for frying the chicken escalope might seem a tad too much, but the result is so worth it. The sauce is indeed pesto, but is further enhanced by the additions of mushroom and dried tomato.

1519. Baked Cheesy Shakshuka

Shakshouka is a Middle Easter and North African egg dish where the eggs are either scrambled with a tomato reduction or poached in it. This is a shortcut baked version, with no sauteeing, frying, or any stove top cooking at all.

1518. Celery Courgette Soup

A vegetable soup made without cream makes me suspicious that it might taste of hospital food, but this celery and courgette soup didn't need the cream to be good. I am not a fan of celery, but in here it works really well.

1517. Skillet Brownies

This was just an excuse to use my cute new six inch cast iron pan. To say these brownies are for two is very generous. Easily three or even four people can demolish it together because it is so decadent it just might destroy you before you destroy it.

Best of MCW 901-1000

Welcome to the tenth installation of the Best of MCW compilations. As usual, the collection is inevitably international, and prominently Iraqi. Surprisingly, Yemen holds a firm presence this time.

1515. Raspberry Mousse with Fruit

You might have noticed I am publishing a lot of light meals and desserts lately? Well, Ramadan is fast approaching so I am preparing some special recipes for the occasion! Stay tuned...

This raspberry mousse is set with the help of a little flavorless gelatin, making the recipe a foolproof one. I happened to have a bunch of sweet clementines which went well with the mousse, but you can use canned mixed fruit just as well.