We got some local eggplant and tomatoes at the farmer’s market. In the summer, I make this dish many times, using whatever vegetable I have on hand – eggplant, zucchini, cauliflower, etc. It takes about 40 minutes, and doesn’t use a whole lot of ingredients. Fresh, seasonal vegetables taste best simply prepared. I don’t even use spices in this a … [Read more…]
(End of ) Summer Mint Macaroni Salad
If you have a little backyard garden going this summer, this macaroni salad could be a good way to use some of your home-grown produce. We have a ton of mint that I wanted to make use of, as well as pepper and tomatoes growing outside. This salad makes use of fresh mint and lemon juice, extra virgin olive, apple cider vinegar, horseradish sauce, … [Read more…]
Italian Flat Beans with Fresh Tomatoes
We went to the local farmer’s market, a favorite activity for the kids, because they love the fresh peaches and the grape tomatoes. I spied some broad bean pods and thought they were fava beans for a second, but on closer inspection, found them to be Italian flat beans. If you haven’t tried them yet, you should. They have a delicate sweetness … [Read more…]
Minted Cucumber Yogurt Salad- Khiar biLaban
This is a refreshing summer salad, made with fresh cucumbers and mint. The traditional Levantine recipe is nice and garlicky, but I also like to add some finely minced or grated onion. It goes very well with kabobs/grilled meats as well as with rice dishes. It is also good to eat alongside very spicy foods and curries, as the yogurt and mint help … [Read more…]
Simple Salad
When you have very fresh summer produce, it is a shame to cover the flavor with heavy, creamy dressing. I prefer the light drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and the bright accent of lemon juice. The sumac adds another tangy layer of flavor. While the typical Levantine salad is finely chopped, being lazy every once in a while is perfectly fine. … [Read more…]
Tomato Skillet
Since the week is hectic, with everyone dashing off to work, school, etc, we have just enough time to grab something quick for breakfast. Therefore, during the weekend, we typically like to linger and enjoy a Mediterranean style breakfast/brunch spread where we gather a few traditional ‘plates’ such as eggs, olives, zaatar, and tomato skillet. It … [Read more…]