Welcome to the Kitchen of
Waleed Asadi
Welcome to my world of food. My name is Waleed Asadi, I am a Palestinian American foodie, photographer, and videographer based in San Diego, CA. My work is deeply inspired by the Mediterranean lifestyle and culture of the Levantine Arab Community. I absolutely adore the fresh foods, gorgeous scenery, and their romanticized view of life itself.
Newest Recipes
This is a dish that represents the strength and resilience of the Palestinian people. Freekeh is a whole grain that comes from durum wheat. It grows in the toughest conditions all over the Levant and North African regions. So when times were tough, this was what many people would resort to. It’s extremely nutritious and a great canvas to add any flavors you like. This is a soup I grew up with and it just brings me so much comfort every time I have it.
This is a lil something I came up with because I saw these beautiful sea bass filets at the market and couldn’t pass them up. I’ve only ever had sea bass prepared in a very traditional way with salt, pepper, lemon, and butter so I thought I would take some inspiration from my Palestinian culture and throw this together. It’s kind of like a spin of Sayediyeh which is a very popular fish and rice recipe, I just added some of my own personal flare to it.
I’ve been seeing this crispy rice tabbouleh trend going around so I thought I would put my spin on it. This is basically your classic tabbouleh that I added lentils and crispy rice to and it honestly came out way better than I thought. It’s everything you love about tabbouleh but with a nice crunchy element to it. I definitely recommend this if you’re trying to switch things up!
This is my go to meal whenever I just want to cook for myself. It’s something I learned how to make in college and it got me through many nights where I was stuck at home and needed to eat. It’s looks beautiful and tastes even better and honestly you just can’t go wrong with this one. Next time you’re craving some chicken, give this a shot!
This is a dish I’ve always shied away from making because I never thought I could get it right. I’m always nervous when I have to make my own dough because I’ve had so many instances in the past where I have to make a dough and I end up ruining it somehow. But this was quite easy and simple to make and it came out incredibly tasty. It takes a bit of time but I have to admit that homemade gnocchi does have a better taste than store bought. And really it wasn’t too bad to do.
Waleed’s Favorites
This is the staple of Levantine Arab cooking. It’s one of those dishes that everyone’s family makes and they all have their own spin on it but the main point is that you have zucchini or squash that is cored and stuffed with the traditional stuffing (rice + meat) and cooked in a flavorful tomato sauce. It’s the kind of dish that just feels like home wherever you are. It’s a true labor of love and it warms my heart every time I have it.
This is a little something I came up with because I absolutely love lamb and I was determined to make a recipe that will have all the lamb haters lamb lovers. My wife is very iffy when it comes to lamb and this won her over so I’m confident it will win you over too. This is a long recipe but a majority of it is waiting around so it’s perfect if you’re home and have a few hours before you’re ready for dinner.
Tiramisu is one of the most recognizable Italian desserts. It’s loved all across the world and for good reason. Here I’m going to step through how to make not just the traditional but also a middle eastern variation that I came up with - a pistachio rose tiramisu. Both are easy to make, beautiful, and perfect for your sweet tooth
This is something I have never seen before and I was really curious first if it was possible and second how it would come out. And I have to admit these are probably the most delicious things I’ve ever made. Home made bagels are already top tier but to infuse them with Za’atar was just a dream come true. Give these shot and I promise they’ll impress you and anyone who tries them!