Welcome to Waleed's Kitchen!
I’ve been cooking nonstop lately, testing new recipes, and digging into old family favorites. This newsletter is my way of sharing that journey with you. Think of it as a seat at my kitchen table, where I’ll drop my newest recipes, seasonal inspiration, and ways to make the most of Zawi spices in your own cooking. Welcome to the world of Middle Eastern & Mediterranean Fusion!
💡 Newsletter Launch Discount
To celebrate the very first newsletter in this format, I’m running a sale on all Zawi spice blends! Enjoy 25% off all Zawi products at www.zawispices.com
Discount code: ZAWI25 at checkout
Newest Recipes:
Lazy Kusa
This is everything you love about Kusa Mahshi (Stuffed Zucchini) but without having to spend time stuffing each individual piece just to break them apart to eat. It’s what I call the lazy way to put this dish together. Although stuffing the vegetable is the traditional method, sometimes we just need a way to throw something together for ourselves. And this just happens to be the way I love to do it.
Ezme Salad
This is a Turkish salad I would describe as a cousin to chimichurri. It’s fresh, fragrant, oily, and a little spicy. It’s something I would eat with a spoon, with some bread, or with some summer bbq. It’s really perfect with anything!
Greek Gyro Plate
I LOVE Greek Gyro but I don’t have a rotisserie to do it super properly and getting the grill going is a whole ordeal in itself - so here I have a very simple stove top Gyro that I have already made twice since writing this recipe! It’s really very easy to do and my wife and I have been absolutely obsessed. This one is definitely worth a try!
Zawi Spotlight: Arabic 7 Spice
These recipes are great dishes that highlight Arabic 7 Spice, the most common spice blend across the Levant. A great way to see the diversity Arabic 7 Spice can bring!
Bazaella (The Arabic Peas + Carrots Stew)
This is one of my childhood favorites. It’s warm and comforting, it has loads of flavor, and it’s simple and easy to make. It’s perfect for a cold cozy night when you just want to put a movie on veg out for the night.
Shish Barak (Arab Beef Dumplings in a Savory Yogurt Sauce)
Shish Barak is a middle eastern delicacy that you’ll find at times of celebration. It takes a lot of time and effort to put together which ultimately shows the person you are hosting that you appreciate their time and company. You’ll find this dish at large dinner parties, birthdays, or even just hosting a friend you haven’t seen in a long time. It’s a …
Fall Favorites
It’s officially fall so here are a few recipes that are perfect for the season. Something warm, comforting, and cozy.
Freekeh Soup
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…
Chai (from scratch)
Chai is one of my favorite drinks in the fall and winter months. It’s warm, comforting, and perfectly spiced. I’ve tried a lot of premixed chai you can get from the store but nothing ever compared to the chai I would have when I would visit my Pakistani friend in my college days. Something about it was just better, I couldn’t quite put my finger on it b…
Brown Butter Sage Gnocchi
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 tim…
Thank you so much! Can’t wait to try these!