Eid Fitr Mubarak 1442

اللهُم أصلح أحوال المسلمين ، اللهم آلف بين قلوبهم واطفأ فتنتهم ووحد كلمتهم ورد كيد الأعداء في نحورهم

1543. Iraqi Almond Kleicha

I find it a difficult question to answer when asked what is my favorite nut. You see, some nuts are better suited for some tasks than others. Roasted? Cashews, hands down. Butter? Peanut, all the way. Raw and soaked? It's a tie between almonds and walnuts. In a cake? In a salad? In granola? Now, this is kleicha, and while I never had tasted or even seen an almond kleicha before, it is a successful adventure I do not regret one bit (just in time for some Eid baking).

1542. Turkish Burghul Kubba

Delightful fun fact: the Turks also make kubba! There are some stark differences, but if there is anyone who knows how to make economical beyond-delicious food, it has to be the Turks. They are not shy of plenty of hard work, and the results pay off. The casing is simply extra-fine burghul and minimal seasoning/spices. 

Jerusalem is Ours

Jerusalem is Muslim.

Palestine lives.

Israel does not exist.

Allah is most great.

1540. Fresh Zaatar and Cheese Kaak

It is always a proper treat when fresh zaatar is available in the supermarket. While a good dried zaatar mix from Palestine is a staple, the fresh herb is almost a cause for celebration. It is the small things that make life beautiful.

1539. Raspberry Dots Cheesecake

I cannot imagine anyone not loving cheesecake. There are so many versions of them, how could anyone not like a single one? This is a fresh raspberry polka dot cheese cake that is convenience at its best: a few cans of this, a packet of that, all blitzed in the blender, pop in the oven and 30 minutes later you've got a cheesecake.

1538. Tomato Burghul

Rice is the staple grain on most dining tables in the world, but some other grains are sadly overlooked and deserve some love as well. Coarse burghul has a nutty quality to it which is rather wholesome. I have previously featured it cooked with mushroom and a side of farmer's salad; a peasant meal that is fit for kings.

1537. Fried Cauliflower and Tahini Dip

As simple as it gets, this fried cauliflower appetizer is just exactly that: fried cauliflower. Unlike raw or steamed, fried cauliflower is mellow, nutty, and a tiny bit sweet. A real treat. 

1536. Dry Date Rangina

Rangina is toasted flour mixed with a hefty amount of ghee or butter to be rendered into a molten lave that is then poured over dates. For such a simple dish or humble origins, it is certainly more than the sum of its parts. So much so that I cannot resist making it every blessed Ramadan.

1535. Shawerma Spring Rolls

Spring rolls are originally stuffed with Asian-flavored vegetables, fried, and dunked in soy sauce. Well, it seems to be the fashion to re-invent and re-interpret everything, and stuffed fried pastry is a prominent candidate to harbor this affliction! But all for good cause (and good fun).