1760. Talbina

Unhappy times are an inevitable part of life. I am a firm believer that it is that tough times that make a person grow, more than times of ease. Thankfully, the one constant about life is change, and that nothing lasts. This is in no way a reason to diminish the sadness a person might be going through. Now with the current events in Palestine, we all feel heavy and drained, and need to find a means to manage our emotions.  

1759. Iraqi Yellow Pumpkin Stew (v.2)

We do have a pumpkin stew on MCW, but it is tomato based. This one is a yellow stew, bring turmeric based.

1758. Date Chocolate Bark

Another day, another trend, but I promise I'm only sharing the good ones!

Chocolate covered dates have been a treat since I can remember, and "snickers" dates really took off a while ago (dates stuffed with peanut butter and coated individually in chocolate).

1757. Yogurt Pasta

In all honesty, I got this recipe off social media (again), and made some minor adjustments. In Arab cuisine, we have so many yogurt-based main dishes, so why should pasta be any different?

Best of MCW (1601-1700)

Welcome to the 17th installment of the Best Of series for MCW. Breakfast takes the spotlight in this edition, with almost half the features belonging to this meal category. If you share our mentality that breakfast is even more delicious as dinner, you've got a pretty repertoire of all-day alimentation choices. Although admittedly an omnivore, I do love my homemade almond milk and the pancakes from the resulting pulp. I have never tasted a better almond milk than this one, and innovating a delicious way to use the pulp makes it a waste-free meal.

1755. Zaatar Saj Scrolls

I realize that there might be multiple versions of zaatar bread recipes on this blog, but we love the combination that much so it is absolutely a delight when a new way is discovered to present it. 

1754. Carrot Courgette Julienne

This is a typical European side dish, specific to the Francophone and Germanic regions. It is simply some shredded courgettes and carrots, sauteed until soft, then drenched in cream. 

1753. Burger Tacos

I have really grown a fondness for food trends on social media. Surprisingly, a larger proportion of the "hacks" or trends are successful and delicious. Then there are some repelling ones as well, such as the watermelon and mustard trend, but the ones I have tried have been mostly great. This burger taco is one such fantastic trend. 

1752. Iraqi Grilled Tomato and Rice

Remember when I posted about Iraqi cucumbers and salt? Hardly a revelation, but it is something my father, may Allah bless and have mercy on his soul, used to sometimes snack on in the evening. It is something so simple that one would have to get out of their own head to consider sharing it. Same goes of this "recipe". 

1751. Chicken Salad Sandwiches

We already have great sandwich filling recipes here on MCW that are staples to any gathering or park outings: egg sandwich and tuna sandwich. Now we can gratefully add chicken sandwiches to this already fantastic repertoire and call it a day. 

1750. Turmeric Ginger Shots

I realize that COVID was over three years ago and the fad of ginger shots has all but died, but there are a million and one other reasons to increase your immunity and maintain your health. 

1749. Tofu Chocolate Mousse

This is a fun and new way to present chocolate mousse or pudding, using tofu. It was not my favorite especially compared to the original butter- and egg-laden version, but I thought I'd share anyway in case it tickles anyone's fancy. 

1748. Cheese Olive and Tomato Danish

We have has savory puff pastry confections often enough on MCW, but another one is always welcome. This particular savory danish pastry combines the melodies of cheese, tomato, and olives for a delightful accompaniment to breakfast/brunch/afternoon tea, etc. 

1747. Tomato Scrambled Eggs

A while back I published an Iraqi favorite for breakfast, fried tomatoes. This is usually served beside some scrambled eggs. This twist fried the tomatoes, then cooks the eggs in the fried tomato. 

1746. Salmon, Caviar, and Ricotta Open Face Sandwiches

This is a quick canape-style lunch for two, and follow loosely some broad guidelines and is not a traditional recipe. 

1745. Ajvar

Aj-what? Ajvar is a relish made from roasted red pepper and aubergine, that is further cooked down in a pan to form a thick spreadable paste. It can be used as a side to grilled meats, or over some bread. 

1744. Powder Almond Butter

Almond butter is no longer a trend, but has become a well-established staple. It is a great alternative to peanut butter, and is generally considered healthier although the figures are not much different nutrition-wise. However, it is still sold at several times the price of a jar a peanut butter, so here is a quick and easy way to make your own, using powdered almonds. 

1743. French Toast Flan

This is a merging of two classics into one festive dessert. The base is the custard of a creme caramel, and the top is bite-sized cubes of french toast. The lot is dotted with fresh berries and sprinkled with icing sugar. 

Eid Adha Mubarak 1444

 

1741. Cheese and Zaatar Puff Scrolls

Baking puff pastry scrolls in cupcake tins forces the pastry to condense instead of puff during baking, resulting in an ultra-crispy finish. These breakfast/brunch/afternoon tea/suhour pastries use my home made puff pastry, but store bought would yield similar results at a much faster rate. 

1740. White Pistachio Choco Bites

MCW's chocoberry bites are a roaring success and make an appearance at every gathering and event. It was high time to come up with a sibling for it, equally as attractive and addictive yet completely different in flavor. In comes the unbeatable combination of white chocolate and pistachio. 

1739. Mushroom Sauce Burger Casserole

This is a layered casserole dish with mashed potato as the base, cooked burger patties right on top, and then a generous waterfall of mushroom cream sauce and cheese that is baked to a comforting bubble. 

1738. English Muffin Breakfast Sandwich

There used to be a time (still?) when Mc Donald's was the ultimate depiction of bad parenting. When they introduced their breakfast menu, this judgement was all the more accentuated. One thing though that we cannot deny is how addictive and palatable their food is. So when their Breakfast Mc Muffin took off blazing, many people tried to recreate it at home to control the wholesomeness of the ingredients and the inevitable inclusion of (rancid) oil used at the fast food chain. 

1737. Mini Pecan Pies

I have yet to make a whole pecan pie on MCW, and I do love them so. These mini pecan pies made it first to the blog, and go down like a treat, one after the other. 

1736. Express Salmon Dinner

This is a quick and nutritious meal that can easily be made for one as it can be for the entire family. To be honest, the discovery of Japanese furikake just tipped the dish into excellence, but it is a solid and nutritious meal even without it. 

1735. Quick Cheese and Olives Sandwich Roll

This was a quick non-recipe recipe shared across social media during Ramadan as the perfect quick-fix suhour for late wakers. It takes no time to throw together, then it is dry-toasted in a pan for the ultimate crispy exterior and melty interior combination. 

1734. Mini Deconstructed Pavlova

Pavlova is a favorite of ours at the MCW household. Although simple to make, it does take about 2 hours in the oven. This is a quick and easy way to get your pavlova fix almost immediately, using conveniently available ingredients from the store. 

1733. Cheesy Chips Oman Sambusak

Chips Oman is a popular chili potato chips here in the Arabian Gulf. Its second most popular consumption method after straight from the pack is crushed in a cheese paratha with some karak. This is a fun new way to consume the popular snack, crushed into a cheesy sambusak. 

1732. Cheese Dill Sambusak

This is one of these recipes made for years on end and is an absolute favorite, but is so simple that one forgets its importance to share and does not consider it a recipe. Cheese and herbs go fantastically well together, but certain cheese types and certain herb combinations are extra special.

1731. Fresh Zaatar and Cheese Sambusak

Zaatar and cheese is a classic combination with endless varieties. This is a recipe for fresh zaatar leaves combined with akawi cheese and a bit of melty mozzarella into a sambusak.

1730. Focaccia with Garlic Oil Dip

I have made a focaccia before using my overnight bread recipe. This ultra-fluffy version takes only 4 hours of resting time, 45 minutes to recuperate, and a mere 20 minutes in the oven. 

1729. Breakfast Carrot Bake

Consisting of mainly carrots and eggs with some oats to bind them, this carrot bake is the ideal healthy replacement for toast. Loaded with so many nutrients, it tastes like pretty much nothing, so its all about flavoring with toppings and conscious swaps for a healthier start to the day. 

1728. Raspberry Rolo Bites

Three ingredients assembled with minimal efforts for a treat that will be the first to finish in any gathering. The combination of flavors from the salty pretzel, to the chocolate caramel, to the fresh burst of tang from the raspberry cannot be resisted. 

1727. Zaatar and Cheese French Toast

French toast is seriously over-glorified. All it is, is a simple technique of soaking stale bread in an egg and milk mixture then frying in a pan. It is then usually flavored with cinnamon sugar. This zaatar and cheese version is my absolute favorite play on French toast, by far.

Panda House, Qatar

We visited the Panda House up in the north of Qatar and it was a wonderful experience to share. The two pandas, Soraya and Suhail, are a gift from the government of China to the government of Qatar, and the facility they are hosted in is excellently well kept and visitor friendly. 

Eid Al Fitr Mubarak 1444

 

1724. Loqum (Turkish Delight) Maamoul

There are as many maamoul varieties are there are kheicha ones. Last Eid Al Adha, we made these delicious loqum maamoul using mastic turkish delight and my favorite flour maamoul recipe. 

1723. Mini Zaatar and Cheese Croissants

These are the savory version to the tiny blueberry croissants published not too long ago. A three-ingredient delight made express in the air fryer. All you need is puff pastry, zaatar, and cream cheese. 

1722. Roast Red Pepper Cheese Dip

I've grown to really enjoy dips. The more varieties the merrier. A good salty feta is a great base for a dip, and this is further enhanced in flavor with roast red pepper. 

1721. Crispy Beans and Whipped Feta

This is an accidentally healthy and low carb snack that is innovative and tasty. A can of large butterbeans is coated in seasoning and cornflower and baked to a crisp. I use my air fryer. Then, while still warm and crispy, is is served next to some whipped feta. 

1720. Figs in Olive Oil

I went and did it. Posting about dates soaked in olive oil and mentioning that the original is figs soaked in olive oil just gave me an itch I had to scratch, so here it is. 

1719. Clementine Green Tea

I alternate between green tea and mint tea, and especially enjoy my green tea mint flavored. Adding fresh clementines to the beverage lends a whole new flavor profile to change things up a bit. 

1718. Butternut Lebna Dip

We Arabs revere yogurt in almost all its forms. It is an inseparable part of our diet, and we are constantly seeking new ways to experience it. This butternut squash dip is simple, yet flavorful. 

1717. Shortcut Frosted Cinnamon Buns

I would never have imagined that simple supermarket mini bread buns could be turned into something so lush and delicious. The buns are coated in some melted butter then sprinkled with cinnamon sugar for the ultimate express cinnamon bun experience. 

1716. Sweet Potato Oven Fries

Baked sweet potato fries are healthy and gain an interested texture that combines crispy and chewy, especially when left unpeeled. 

1715. Easy Un-Stuffed Cousa Yogurt Stew

The classic recipe is cored and stuffed courgettes, cooked in a yogurt soup base and served as a stew with rice. I love this de-constructed version so much more; for some reason it just tastes so much better. 

1714. Vegan Thai Green Curry

Packed in vegetables, the main ingredient of this curry comes from a jar. Thai curry paste is a ponded mixture of chilis, lemongrass, keffir lime leaves, basil, ginger, garlic, and a whole lot of multiple other ingredients depending on the kind of curry. Conveniently, we can get it already made in a jar from the supermarket.

1713. Chicken Donuts

Basically, homemade chicken nuggets shaped as a donut. Made using 100% chicken breasts, you will not find it made from a discarded chicken carcass as you would in industrially manufactured chicken nuggets.

Ramadan Mubarak 1444

 

1711. Ranch Dip

The only time I would ever have ranch as a salad dressing, a dip, smeared in a sandwich, or drizzled over a pizza would be when dining out or ordering in. And you know what? I liked it. So it was high time to make it at home.