The reason that this recipe came up is that I currently have two different brands of quinoa in my kitchen. One that I like and one that I am not in love with. I decided to try to use up the bag that I didn’t like and thought, “I’m sure that someone has made a granola with quinoa”. I did a quick search, and came across Minimalist baker’s quinoa … [Read more…]
South of the Border Burrito, by Dr. Kristi Funk with Chrissy Roth | The Levantess
I was very excited when I got the opportunity to collaborate with Meatless Monday and Dr. Kristi Funk. Dr. Kristi Funk best known as the breast surgeon for Angelina Jolie and Sheryl Crow, is a leading board-certified breast cancer surgeon that specializes in comprehensive wellness, nutrition & fitness, and stress management. She has compiled … [Read more…]
Lamb and Fava Bean Maqlouba (with Kefir Lamb Soup)
I was at Trader Joe’s a few weeks ago, and found frozen shelled fava beans. I like fresh fava beans in the shell, but it is not often that you can find that in the Baltimore region. So, shelled frozen favas will definitely do. I’ve stocked up each time I found them, because they do seem to sell out. If you want to look for them, this is what … [Read more…]
Chicken and Dumplings
I know that it is officially Spring, but it actually snowed yesterday in some areas, so we are still in Chicken and Dumpling weather, as far as I am concerned. You can consider this recipe a template for your own version of Chicken and Dumplings. Instead of carrots, you could use parsnips, or rutabaga. Add 1 ½ cups of green vegetables. I greatly … [Read more…]
Tilapia on a Bed of Spinach, Topped with Tomatoes, Capers, Onions, & Garlic
This is a colorful seafood dish that can be thrown together quickly, yet has great color and flavor. The most laborious part of this is chopping the tomatoes, onions, and garlic – and you could even use canned chopped tomatoes and their liquid to save even more time. The rest is layering. I have to admit that tilapia is not my preferred seafood, … [Read more…]
Kofta Kabob Under the Broiler
This is your basic kofta recipe, shaped into kabobs, and broiled. Once you do this, you can either serve with rice, or wrapped in flat bread or pita. Let me tell you, this recipe takes ground beef (or lamb) and elevates it way, way up. A little secret – My husband asked for this exact meal two days in a row. Shhhh. Broiled Kofta Kabob 1 1/2 … [Read more…]
Pulled Chicken Sandwiches – Djaj Musahab
This is called ‘pulled chicken’, but I used boneless, skinless chicken thighs for ease. You can serve this chicken in a crusty bread, or wrapped in flatbread. You can also eat it with rice and a salad. I prefer it as a sandwich, to feel like I have just stopped at a food cart in the center of a Levantine city. Tahini sauce 1 Tablespoon … [Read more…]
Beef and Green Bean Curry
This is a curry made up of beef and some flat Italian green beans that I froze at the end of summer. I had been feeling too unwell to go to the supermarket, so this had to be a pantry meal day. You could use regular frozen green beans, or fresh, blanched green beans for this.Peas would also work well. 1-2 tablespoons cooking oil 1 pound beef … [Read more…]
Deconstructed Levantine Cabbage Rolls (Lazy Malfouf)
I felt like eating stuffed cabbage, but didn’t have time to separate and boil the leaves, then stuff them one by one, so I decided to make it lazy-style. It’s not as pretty, but tastes very good on those days you just don’t have the time for rolling them. To be clear – It isn’t a replacement for the original – and certainly not something you’d … [Read more…]
Red Lentil and Swiss Chard Soup
The lentil is a humble but mighty ingredient. It is a superior form of protein, and contains significant amount of fiber and iron. It is also good source of folate, an important nutrient for women of child-bearing age. But, what is the best part? It cooks in a short time, relative to dried legumes. That makes it a better option for a weeknight … [Read more…]