2046. Lemon Leaf Mozzarella Appetizer

This is an unusual appetizer served in niche country restaurants in rustic areas of Italy. It is mozzarella cheese nestled between two lemon tree leaves with the barest touch of anchovy, lemon zest, and thinly sliced chili or jalapeno.

2039. Dill Cheese Chili Dip

This dill cheese and chili dip can work great for breakfast, a snack, or a light dinner.

2038. Palestinian Tahini Tuna Dip

Salata bi Tahina wa Tuna is a popular, mayo-free Levantine tuna dip combining flaked canned tuna, creamy sesame tahini, fresh lemon juice, and traditional Arabic flavors.

2037. Summer Platter with Whipped Basil Ricotta

I would be content in a world that serves all its meals and snacks in the form of grazing platters. It does seem as though summer is especially prone to serving food in that manner, and this whipped basil ricotta platter is one such example of endless customizations.

2031. Charcuterie Paste

This spreadable paste has all the essential elements of a charcuterie board, blended up. It's got the cured meat, cheese, cornichons, and extra added flavors in the form of seeded mustard and onion.

2015. Jarcuterie

At first, this seemed to me like one big American mess. Leave it to the Americans to take a refined concept (charcuterie board) and downgrade it to a common item (jarcuterie).

2006. Merguez Toast Appetizers

I'm on something of a merguez kick of late, and have zero regrets.

1974. Tomato Burrata Dip

Burrata is fresh mozzarella stretched into a small bag holding fresh mozzarella shred and fresh cream. A delicacy now commonly enjoyed over salad, a pizza, in a sandwich, or in this case, as a dip.

1965. Anchovy Dip Bagna Cauda

This bagna cauda is an Italian anchovy sauce that is often used as a dip with raw vegetables and I have never heard about it before.

1955. Appetizer Olive Oil Vineleaves

If I am not careful, I'll be having as many vineleaf varieties in the MCW archives as I have kubbas. Honestly, that might now be a bad thing, just look at how different they all are: breakfast lebne stuffed vineleaves, spring roll vineleaves, airfryer vineleaves, slow cooker vineleaves, and cold vineleaves with sultanas and walnut, prune vineleaves, and that's not to mention other innovative use of vineleaf in vineleaf feta parcels, vineleaf haloomi and preserved lemon parcels, vineleaf meat kofta, and vineleaf saffron rice tart.

1916. Khabbaz and Bread

There is this herb or delicate green in the Arabian countries that is a finer relative to spring onion green and leeks. It's definitely from the onion family, and when I search for the English translation for it, "khabbaz" translates to leek, which it definitely is not. 

1873. Cheeseburger Springrolls

This is a fun new way to have a side of fried goods on the dining table that everyone will love. The spring roll is stuffed with classic cheeseburger flavors: minced meat, onion, pickles, and cheese. 

1871. Crispy Akawi Zaatar Pitas

For some reason, sambusak is an integral part of our Ramadan iftar table. These crispy akawi zaatar pita quarters completely replaced them this last Ramadan. 

1869. Sweet Chilli Wings {Airfryer}

These sticky-sweet-savory-spicy chicken wings are cooked in the airfryer until crispy then tossed in an irresistible sticky sauce with burst of tang and a hint of sweetness.

1850. Airfried Olives and Haloomi

Somehow, the options for favorite cuisines seem to be limited to French or Italian. I seriously disagree. Arab cuisine has to be the most varied and delicious one. Maybe I am just biased. This simple mix of haloomi cheese, olives, and a few other Arab pantry staples is a fantastic example of how nutritious and delicious Arab cuisine may be. 

1825. Palestinian Purslane Appetizer

Purslane is dismissed as a weed since it so resiliently grows between crop and even between bricks. This "weed" which we are being prompted to discard is one of the most nutrient dense and medicinal foods you can find.

1778. Chipotle Cream Cheese Dip

This should't count as a recipe, it is merely a very successful idea. I had some chipotle powder and cream cheese. Combining the two yielded a very delicious mixture that can be used for multiple things.

1774. Vegan Kubba Appetizer

Back all those years ago when I first posted about kubba (my absolute kryptonite), that legend speaks of a thousand and one kubba varieties. Here we are at the twenty-eighth kubba on MCW.

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.