2094. Miso Butter Charred Cabbage

Smoky, savoury, and rich with umami - this simple side dish turns humble cabbage into something genuinely special. Charred cabbage is basted in golden miso butter, finished with fresh lime, and brought to life with smoked sea salt.

2082. Cauliflower Cumin Soup

As simple as it gets, this soup is barely more than cauliflower, cumin, and cream.

2076. Courgette Gratin

As simple as this courgette gratin is, there is the simple matter of navigating the undesirable effect of the vegetable retaining too much water and risking ruining the experience.

2075. Breadcrumb Roast Green Beans

This is one of the best ways I have had fresh green beans.

2026. Smash Felafel Tacos

There seems to be a trend to smash everything, these days. These smashed felafel tortillas are a fantastic alternative to a classic felafel sandwich.

2025. Lemon Pesto Green Beans

These green beans are blanched then treated like a salad: dressed in a pesto lemon vinaigrette.

1998. Creamed Spinach Tortellini

This is a semi-from-scratch recipe where the tortellini is bought ready made but the sauce is home made. Creamed spinach is always a side dish I cannot resist.

1981. Grilled Corn Ribs

Corn ribs were all the rage two or three years ago when every household got an airfryer. This version can be grilled for the best flavor, or also oven baked.

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. 

1910. Artichokes with Hollandaise Sauce

We used to have artichokes quite often in my childhood. It's quite sad how much recent generations are missing out on.

1886. Purslane Fateer

A couple of weeks ago I had a hanker for lemony, tangy, fresh spinach fateer made from scratch right at home. I checked four or five different sores, online and in person, and none had fresh spinach. In the last one, I found two bundles of purslane, or bakle, so fate was sealed. 

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. 

1843. Mini Pumpkin Cheese Fondue

This is a fun and delicious idea for small pumpkins and leftover scraps of cheese: serving one or two people, the cheese fondue is put in a baked small pumpkin, which is edible as well. 

1841. Sweet Potato Schiacciata

Firstly, I do not know how to pronounce schiacciata. Secondly, the internet has confused me if this is a schiacciata or not. The idea is that it is an Italian flatbread filled to the brim with vegetables and freshly grated parmesan. You know, like Iraqi iroog bread, but without the meat or lamb fat. 

1836. Purslane Burghul

I posted a Palestinian purslane dish not too long ago, and this Syrian version with burghul used up the last of my frozen summer bounty.

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.

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. 

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". 

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. 

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.