@Cheftariqcooks
Soft Boiled Egg
Soft boiled egg mixed with olive oil and za’atar for a delicious bite!
Sumac Deep Fried Fish
Fish is a wonderfully healthy food we should enjoy more of. It’s low in fat, high in omega-3 fatty acids, protein, vitamin D, the list goes on. I highly recommend eating fish for good health several times a week. This recipe is a good option to have in your repertoire alongside oven-baked, pan-fried, or poached…
Mint And Cucumber Yogurt Sauce
A cucumber and mint yogurt is a must in any mezze! Wow! What a flavor. A flavor that goes along with so many foods, from meats to savory bread and rice dishes. My favorite is always the mellow taste of sheep’s yogurt, but any plain yogurt will do. I do not like flavored yogurts, mainly because they are usually full…
Tahini Sauce (Creamy, Tasty & Traditional)
Known in the Arab world as tahinia, tahini sauce is a huge staple, added to many types of sandwiches in the region.
Why Vermont Maple Syrup Is The Best
Why is Vermont maple syrup better than all the rest? Because it holds itself to a higher standard than is required from them.
Falafel Wrap (Authentic, Simple & Tasty)
I don’t know if you can beat a freshly made falafel wrap in the morning, with freshly fried falafel.
Homemade Flatbread with Labneh & Olives
There is a certain memory that comes to mind when I eat this homemade flatbread from when I was a kid at school during lunch. It was common that we brought our own food given the schools did not provide any meals. My mother would often send me to school with a pita sandwich filled…
Hummus (The Traditional Tasty Way)
There is nothing as good or satisfying as homemade hummus, served at your very own kitchen table.
How to Make Homemade Tomato Paste
Just like sun-dried tomatoes, a homemade tomato paste can be a wonderful thing to behold.
Spicy Cream Cheese Stuffed Peppers
Cream cheese stuffed peppers are lovely in so many ways, with so many different peppers.
Dolmades (Stuffed Grape Leaves) Recipe
This has to be one of my very favorite meals in the world, dolmades is of course the Greek name most people know.
Fattoush Salad (Fresh, Crisp & Delicious)
A fattoush salad is sensational with almost any meal, some might think this to be an exaggeration, but not in my eyes!
Sumac Sautéed Mushrooms and Onions
Sauteed mushrooms and onions are a wonderful combination that are a wonderful addition to so many foods.
Eggs and Potatoes (Middle Eastern Style)
Eggs and potatoes cooked in a skillet make the most satisfying breakfast, in the style of a shakshuka.
Garlic Roasted Lemon Salmon
One of my favorite fish is salmon, raw or cooked in fact, and this lemon salmon recipe is amazing.
How to Make Meatballs Without Breadcrumbs (Gluten Free)
Is it possible to make tasty meatballs without breadcrumbs? It certainly is!
To Die For Carrot Cake
When I am in the mood for an outstanding dessert, I always go for my to die for carrot cake.
How to Dry Peppers
I love hot peppers, one of the best ways to preserve them and their heat is by drying – here is how to dry peppers.
Best White Wine for Cooking
Looking to use white wine in your cooking but not sure where to begin?
How to Cook Buckwheat
Buckwheat is a relatively unknown food for many, but one you’ll be glad you tried.
Simply Delicious Vanilla Macarons Recipe
Vanilla Macarons are delicious little desserts that melt in your mouth.
Best Olive Oil Brands in the World
I love olive oil, and I consume a large amount of it every year! Here are my recommendations for the best olive oil brands in the world.
Cheesecloth Substitutes: What Can I Use Instead?
When a recipe calls for a cheesecloth but you haven’t got one – what can you use instead as cheesecloth substitutes?
How to Soften Cream Cheese
How to soften cream cheese is a good thing to learn, especially if you are into making cheesecake.
How to Roast Sesame Seeds
Raw sesame seeds are great too, but there is no substitute for the roasted variety.
Pickled Okra (Crisp, Peppery & Flavorful)
You can pickle just about anything, but okra lends itself particularly well to this preparation. Nice and crisp, pickled okra!
How to Make Fermented Garlic
Pay attention to how to make fermented garlic because once you taste this wonderful food you will want to make it for yourself.
Cream Cheese Sausage Balls (Appetizers)
You may never have encountered the combination of sausage and cream cheese before, but cream cheese sausage balls are delicious.
Booza Ice Cream (Lebanese Style)
Booza is the predecessor to modern ice cream the way we are familiar with it today.
Adana Kebab (Ground Lamb Kebab)
Adana kebab has to be my very favorite kebab preparation. It is delicious, and has been adopted as a Middle Eastern delight!
How to Make Banana Chips
If you are ever looking for a nice healthy treat for yourself, here is how to make banana chips.
How to Blanch Almonds
Almonds are some of my favorite nuts, so let me show you how to blanch almonds.
Very Tasty Okra Stew (Bamia)
Not everyone is necessarily familiar with this vegetable, but in my opinion it is a good one to have on hand.
How to Make an Egg Wash
An egg wash on a pastry will make the pastry stand out and shine, showing off your work.
Simply Perfect DIY Hummus Platter
A hummus platter is such an easy thing to put together, it creates a mini mezze in a jiffy.
Maqluba (Upside Down Lamb & Rice)
Maqluba means ‘upside down’ being a one pot dish that when done is flipped over on a big plate.
Roasted Garlic Labneh Dip Recipe
Pairing the deep taste of garlic in this labneh recipe creates the perfect partnership.
Pita Chips (The Crispy Crunchy Way)
Pita chips are a wonderful innovation created for dipping and crunching on.
Sold in supermarkets, but making your own beats anything store bought.
Festive Sourdough Cranberry Stuffing Recipe
Cranberry stuffing is by far my favorite kind of stuffing at Thanksgiving, and a must for my table.
Pickled Cucumbers (Quick, Easy & Tasty)
There is nothing quite like pickled cucumbers to deliver sheer excitement of flavor to your mouth. Fermentation is life!
Melt in Your Mouth Cinnamon Cookies
This beautiful shortbread dessert in the form of lovely cinnamon cookies will leave you asking for more.
Festive Christmas Salad With Cranberries
No Christmas is complete without some kind of festive Christmas salad, and this is a good one.
Honey Cake with Pistachios
I’m a huge fan of this honey cake recipe! The desserts in the Middle East are quite varied in nature. From the incredibly sweet to ones with the slightest hint of sweetness, and of course everything in between. The use of cheese, nuts, semolina, honey, shredded wheat, simple syrup is widespread. This allows for a…
Herb Substitutes: From Basil to Thyme
What herb substitutes can you use while staying as close to the original flavor as possible? Here’s a full list with the most common herbs!
Types of Basil to Add to Your Cooking
I never thought that there would be 50 types of basil to add to your cooking, or even to grow in your herb garden.
Easy Ghormeh Sabzi Recipe (Persian Stew)
When I need warming up on those cold, wet or snowy days, Ghormeh Sabzi comes to mind immediately.
Roast Lamb with Middle Eastern Spices
This roast lamb just falls off the bone, giving you a juicy and luscious meal!
Simple Semolina Bread (Crunchy & Wholesome)
Sometimes it is nice to have a different kind bread, and that is where semolina bread is a great alternative.
Sfiha (Middle Eastern Cheese Pizza)
These mini “Arab Pizzas” are perfect for parties and gatherings!
Easy Orange Juice Cake
Orange juice cake is a very quick and simple way to make a very tasty cake.
Fresh vs Dried Herbs – A Guide
When we consider fresh vs dried herbs in our cooking, it is usually because we are searching for the best flavors.
Sumac Onions (For an Added Zing)
Sumac onions add the finishing touch to so many dishes, especially meat and chicken cooked on the grill.
Country Fried Chicken (Crispy & Easy)
Country fried chicken made well is a comfort food for many around the world. The most popular fast food outlets globally are those that serve fried chicken.
Shish Barak (Lamb Dumplings in Yogurt Sauce)
Shish Barak consists of meat dumplings cooked in a yogurt stew. A comfort food for many in the Middle East, it is very similar to tortellini in shape and size.
How to Make Homemade Tomato Passata
The tomato is a wonderful thing with so many uses, so in this post I thought I would show you how to make homemade tomato passata.
Koshari (Egypt’s National Dish)
When you first look at the Koshari recipe, it appears to be a hodgepodge of different ingredients.
Jerusalem Salad (A Refreshingly Simple Salad)
Jerusalem is a city that has been around for a long, long time, and I’m going to wager Jerusalem Salad has been around even longer.
Mushroom Wellington with Kale and Cranberries
With all the splendor, and show-stopping appearance of a special occasion dish, a Mushroom Wellington will always deliver.
Rice Stuffed Chicken (Tender & Juicy)
Rice stuffed chicken is a wonderful dish with tons of flavors and textures to satisfy any palate.
Traditional Homemade Tuscan Bread
Anyone who knows me knows that I love bread of every kind and Tuscan bread is no exception.
Kofta Kebab (Ground Lamb On A Skewer)
There are so many ways to make kebab, and kofta kebab is one that you definitely need in your wheelhouse as a chef.
Shepherd Salad (Traditional & Easy)
Across the Middle East a simple salad known as shepherd salad is common to many countries, Arab speaking and otherwise.
Quick and Easy Blueberry Muffins
Blueberries are some of the best fruit ever, this recipe will show you how to make easy blueberry muffins.
My Foolproof Homemade Chocolate Cake
There are very few things better in life than a good homemade chocolate cake.
Bruschetta Pizza With Garlic & Feta
A slice of bruschetta pizza in one hand, and a glass of chilled white wine in the other. Sounds like a little bit of heaven to me!
Foul Mudammas (Egyptian Fava Beans)
Foul Mudammas is a stew of cooked fava beans normally enjoyed at breakfast.
Cauliflower Fritters (Msaht) for Breakfast
A marvelously appetizing recipe that gives you vegetables in the morning along with your eggs.
Eggplant & Goat Cheese Flatbread
This Eggplant and Goat Cheese Flatbread is quickly becoming one of my favorite recipes! It’s safe to say that I love bread. Regardless of how it arrives on my plate, or in my hand, as long as it makes its way to my mouth. I love it! Bread is a miracle to behold. Flour, water,…
#CookTheStates: My 2020 Challenge
50 States. 50 Weeks. 50 Dishes. Discovering American food one State at a time.
Lamb Burger (The Other Red Meat)
Lamb burgers are an extremely popular choice for burgers in the Middle East.
Fried Okra
A Middle Eastern take on fried okra. This tender and crunchy side dish will spice up any meal!
Crunchy Sponge Candy (Chocolate Covered)
Sponge candy is a delicate, light toffee candy that will be a hit with your friends and family.
Homemade Grilled Beef Shawarma Recipe
My beef shawarma recipe allows you to make this beloved, and delicious street food at home.
Mujadara (Lentils, Rice & Crispy Onions)
Mujadara is a delicious warming dish of lentils, rice and crispy onions popular in the Middle East.
Vanilla Extract Substitute (A Guide)
There are several vanilla extract substitutes that will work in a pinch, and will still provide nice flavor.
Salted Caramel Macarons (Lovely & Moist )
If you want a dessert that will make an impression then salted caramel macarons are for you.
What is Black Garlic?
What exactly is this delicious dark alternative?
How to Make Mint Tea
All the refreshing flavor of mint packed into a steaming cup of tea.
Avocado Oil vs Olive Oil
What I do know is that I consume a huge amount of olive oil, but let’s take a look at avocado oil vs olive oil.
Homemade Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls
I will never forget the smell of my mother making us sourdough cinnamon rolls when I was a kid.
Malfouf (Stuffed Lebanese Cabbage Rolls)
Malfouf is cabbage leaves stuffed with rice and meat, creating an explosion of flavor delivered directly to your mouth!
Creamy Almond Ricotta (Dairy Free)
To celebrate Veganuary, I decided to make a vegan version of one of my favorite dips.
Shish Kabob – The Ancient Art of Grilling
Popular right across the Mediterranean, this shish kabob recipe is the traditional preparation with a marinade for this timeless meal.
Super Delicious Spiced Cauliflower Soup
The oven roasted cauliflower combined with spices and yogurt delivers a refreshingly spicy taste to the mouth that revels in the intricacy of the flavors of the dish.
Yogurt & Cauliflower Stew
An unusual stew cooked in yogurt, giving it a twist like no other.
Knafeh (Middle Eastern Pastry Dessert)
Knafeh is an amazing thing to behold, and like no other dessert I know. Made far and wide right around the world, Knafeh is something you definitely want to try.
Halloumi (Frying Cheese of the Middle East)
Halloumi is one of my favorite cheeses but have you ever wondered exactly what is halloumi cheese?
Batata Harra (Lebanese Spicy Potatoes)
Batata Harra is a wonderful addition to any mezze, with its combination of crunch and heat from the pepper, it really is to die for.
Tabouli Salad (The Lebanese Way)
Tabouli salad is definitely a staple of the Levantian kitchen, made slightly differently from country to country.
Traditional Shakshuka Recipe (Quick & Easy)
Shakshuka, the one pan breakfast that is easy to make and tastes delicious!
Cabbage Salad (Middle Eastern Style)
Cabbage salad is a favorite in my house! Just like its name implies, this is a salad using raw cabbage as one the main ingredients.
How to Calibrate a Thermometer
This will ensure you get the most out of cooking and baking, and being sure foods are done.
How to Use Turmeric in Your Cooking
Not only does turmeric have a long list of health benefits, it also enhances the color, smell and taste of any recipe it is added to.
How to Best Roast Eggplant
This oven roasted eggplant recipe is sure to become your go to method for its simplicity.
The Palestinian Table Cookbook: Review
Out of the many cookbooks I’ve read, ‘The Palestinian Table’ captures the essence, culinary heritage and history of the Palestinian people.
How to Cook Black Rice
I am a big fan of natural style rice so I’m going to show you how to cook black rice – one of my favorites!
Kibbeh Nayeh (Raw Seasoned Ground Lamb)
Kibbeh Nayeh, most often known as a Lebanese dish, is one of those foods that’s like Marmite, you either love it or hate it.
White Fish with Tahini Sauce
A wonderful twist on baking fish, that will definitely get people talking!
Za’atar Tomato Crostini
Tomato, za’atar, olives, feta cheese, all brought together on a crunchy bit of toast, explodes with flavor in your mouth.
Tomato Salad With a Lovely Twist
Pomegranate molasses gives this salad a refreshing and unique flavor!