1100. Home Made Yogurt

I am a strong believer that every one of us is responsible to support local produce and buy seasonal produce. This is not just a lesson in community values, but it is also better for your health (less chemicals and GM go into seasonal fruits) and better for your tastebuds (the reason why tomatoes smell and taste so much better in the Summer). So for this MENA Club entry, I am highlighting Qatari local produce.

1051. Iraqi Aubergine Rolls

While I do enjoy participating in all the MENA Cooking Club challenges and appreciate any cuisine of the various countries that make us One Umma, I am bias when it comes to the Iraq challenge. I love this country so much and actually feel physical pain to what it has been reduced to. But there is no despair for those who believe, and as sure as the sun blazes in the sky, Islam will conquer and its enemies will cower.

1036. Egyptian Macarona (Pasta Bake)

One of the side effects of knitting a tighter, more connected world is the obvious merge of cultures. This Egyptian pasta bake, known simply as macarona, is a staple comfort food in many an Arab home, and an excellent choice for this month's MENA Cooking Club challenge.. The recipe, while relatively simple (no spice beyond salt and pepper, no cheese *gasp*, and no herbs), actually delivered much more flavor than anticipated.

998. Comoros Islands Coffee-Rub Ribs and Mango-Coconut Rice

In this round of the MENA Cooking Club challenge, we have a country we did not have last time: the Comoros Islands. I really did not know anything about this country except that we use it in an Arabic expression to denote a sarcastic notion of distance, such as: Why didn't you get me? It's not like I was in the Juzr al Qamar! It was only until this challenge did I realize the Comoros Islands are real. They are located off the east coast of Africa, and are a vibrant nation full of color and merging cultures.

986. Crusty Pumpkin Rice

In our second round of the MENA Cooking Club Challenge, we arrive to the B in Bahrain. The name of this small Arabian Gulf country literally translates into two seas, which is fitting and a huge clue to the local food. Bahrain is in fact barely a teenage in historical age, and used to be part of the larger Ahsa region before the division by British conquests.

971. Algerian Bread of the Home

My happiness in this post is boundless for three very good reasons. First off, the MENA Cooking Club has been revived. If you are new, this Club brings together anyone interested enough to join us on our journey of discovery of the Middle East and North Africa States through their local food. We start off with A for Algeria today, which brings me to my second reason.

927. Adeni Jabeez Flatbread

What a journey around the Arabian States! It was almost two (two!) years ago when we got together and published the first #MENACookingClub post of the grand rounds: A for Algeria ; and here we are at Y for Yemen.

917. Khanfaroosh

I am very happy to continue partaking in the MENA Cooking Club monthly challenges. This month we are exploring culinary United Arab Emirates. Coincidentally, Qatar and the UAE are very similar as until not too long ago they were considered one in the Al Ahsa Arabian Gulf region.

898. Iraqi Sesame Kleicha

When Noor asked us to jump on board and shake things up for this month's MENA cooking club challenge and make a cookie, I was ready! The catch was that the cookie must be a VERY traditional cookie from our own cultural background.

890. Syrian Roast Lemon Garlic Chicken

How can one talk about Syrian food without mentioning Syrian people? Such a fertile and blessed land loved by Prophets travelers alike. Such a bountiful people and land where hospitality knows no bounds and fruit tree branches hang low from their blessed load. May Allah take vengeance for Iraq and Syria and every Muslim nation victimized by the enemy.

881. Saudi Banana Maasoub

This month's MENA Cooking Club feature is the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The MENA Cooking Club explores the differences and similarities of the Middle East and North African countries through local cuisine. Previous entries include Algeria, Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Malta, Morocco, Oman, Occupied Palestine, and most recently Qatar.

858. Qatari Rangina Cups

This month's MENA Cooking Club feature is Qatar, which couldn't have come at a better time because 'tis the season of fresh dates! Fresh dates mean Rangina making, pronto. The MENA Cooking Club explores the differences and similarities of the Middle East and North African countries through local cuisine. Previous entries include Algeria, Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Malta, Morocco, Oman, and Occupied Palestine.

837. Palestinian Chicken Musakhan

This month's MENA Cooking Club feature is Occupied Palestine. The MENA Cooking Club explores the differences and similarities of the Middle East and North African countries through local cuisine. Previous entries include Algeria, Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Malta, Morocco, and Oman.

812. Omani Coconut Chaklama

This month's MENA Cooking Club feature is Oman. The MENA Cooking Club explores the differences and similarities of the Middle East and North African countries through local cuisine. Previous entries include Algeria, Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Malta, and Morocco.

799. Sheesh Tawooq

The MENA Cooking Club hosted Lebanon a while back and I was unable to participate at the time.
I have participated in several MENA challenges, including Algeria, Bahrain, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Malta, and most recently Morocco. My choice for Lebanon is Sheesh Tawooq.

798. Moroccan Makrout (Fried Semolina Date Cookies)

This month's MENA Cooking Club feature is Morocco. The MENA Cooking Club explores the differences and similarities of the Middle East and North African countries through local cuisine. Previous entries include  Algeria, Bahrain, Djiboui, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, and Malta.

785. Maltese Lemon Ricotta Flourless Cake

Life and circumstances sometimes get in the way of routine and it's been a short while since I last participated in the MENA Cooking Club. Prior contributions have been Algeria, Bahrain, Djiboui, Egypt, Iraq, and Jordan. This time it's Malta's turn.

743. Mansaf

This month's  MENA Cooking Club challenge is Jordan, hosted by Cheap Ethnic Eatz.. Previous months include: Algeria, Bahrain, Djiboui, Egypt, and Iraq. Jordan is a neighbor bordering Iraq, and while it is true that the Iraqi influence is obvious especially in the capital Amman, it is Palestine that has the final say in ruling Jordan, as a good half of its citizens are in fact Palestinian, including their queen (and coincidentally their national dish, the Mansaf).

726. Iraqi Broiled Fish with Sultana Sauce

I am so happy to host this month's MENA Cooking Club Challenge: IRAQ!
Previous months include: Algeria, Bahrain, Djiboui, and Egypt.

693. Egyptian Sprouted Lentil Soup

This month's MENA Cooking Club country of choice, following Algeria and Bahrain, and Djibouti, is Egypt and it is hosted by Amira of Arabian Mama.