This is one of the most classic Levantine style dishes. Fatteh means crushed or crumbs and Betenjan is the Arabic word for eggplant. There are several types of fatteh like with chickpeas, chicken, etc. and this is my favorite version of it. It’s a nice way to introduce eggplant without having an overwhelming eggplant flavor. It’s very simple to make and enjoyed by many.

This is my top favorite winter time dish. Yet another dish I’ve only ever had at home and I’m here to share with you all. Basically we take the arabic classic Kusa Mahshi (Stuffed Zucchini/Squash) and serve with a garlic heavy yogurt sauce. It’s really a dish that’s hard to describe through words. The aroma is one of a kind and warms you right up.

Small bite sized pastries are like my favorite thing ever. And they’re also my biggest enemy. I find it really hard to practice any sort of discipline because they’re so good and I always end up eating just enough to almost regret how many I had. So naturally I’m going to share one of my favorite pastries - these cheese filled crescents. The dough here is soft and airy like a cloud and the different fillings in this are absolutely to die for. It does take a bit of work to put this together so if you have help it could be great bonding time. These are great for dinner party appetizers or to store in the freezer and heat up every once in a while.

This is a very simple tahini sauce that goes incredibly well with any fish. Whether you pan fry, bake, poach, or deep fry, this sauce is the perfect pairing. In this recipe I’ll share exactly how I make it and the fish I am pairing it with but remember it goes well with ANY fish so don’t marry the two together here.

This is THE winter dessert. It’s warm, comforting, cozy, and so satisfying. It’s a very simple mix of milk and rose water, thickened slightly and garnished with crushed pistachios and rose petals. It’s thickened with cornstarch and mastic (a resin that comes from the mastic tree across the mediterranean) which actually gives a very subtle depth of flavor. It doesn’t take much time to make but requires your constant attention.

This is by no means a traditional Shakriyeh but this yogurt sauce is to die for so I got a bit creative and put this together. I love the flavor of fried cauliflower and I wanted something warm for this winter season. I have to say this blew me away. Easily one of my favorite dishes now and I can’t wait to make it again.

This, in my opinion, is the BEST way to have chicken and rice. It’s a melting pot of flavors. Granted it does need quite a few spices and herbs but the end product is really something special. The sides that come along with it are phenomenal and it’s something that will impress your family or guests you have over. This is traditionally a Gulf Arab dish from countries like Saudi, Kuwait, & Yemen. My recipe here is not traditional by any means but it captures the essence and flavors of Kabsa. Give it a shot and I promise you’re world will be changed forever.

This is a dish I have only ever seen at home. I don’t know if it’s something only my family does or if others make a variation of it but I do know it’s beyond delicious. This one specifically really wins my heart over. The aroma and flavor of this supercedes anything else for me. Give it a try!

This is my favorite soup. It’s beyond delicious, incredibly easy to make, and loved by everyone of all ages. I would always call it kufta noodle soup which is essentially what this is. Small kufta meatballs, vermicelli noodles, and a savory tomato broth. Top it with some fresh parsley and lots of lemon juice and you have yourself a warm and comfy soup.

Molokhia is one of my favorite dishes ever. It translates to “Jute Leaf Stew” in English and I always describe this to those who don’t know as a cross between spinach and okra. It’s a leaf just like spinach but when it cooks, it has a texture very similar to okra but not quite the same. Several Arab countries have their own version of this and even within families, there are different approaches on how to make it. The one thing in common though is that this dish needs something spicy with it and lots of lemon.

I absolutely love coffee cake. I can still remember the first time my parents brought home a coffee cake and it was love at first bite. The fluffy texture, the cinnamon ribbon inside, and the perfect streusel topping all comes together so perfectly. I wanted to play around with this idea and create something with flavors from the middle east and so the cardamom rose coffee cake was born. It’s everything you love about coffee cake but with added flavors. Give this a shot I promise you’ll love every bite.

This is probably the most healthy and filling soup I’ve ever had. It’s completely vegan, very simple to make, and warms you right up. I honestly have the leftovers for breakfast sometimes because it’s so tasty and warm. Lentils are also super underrated in my opinion. I don’t see many places in the US use lentils and if they do its like a substitute for rice or something. But when you look outside to other cultures, they have mastered the use of lentils. So here is just one way to include lentils in your diet.

This is the North African version of a chicken pot pie and it’s way better in my opinion. Chicken Bastilla is a sweet and savory dish consisting of shredded chicken, eggs, cinnamon, and powdered sugar. I know that combination sounds strange but trust me when I tell you it is to die for. It’s all wrapped up in crispy filo dough and fills your home with a warm comforting aroma.

Homemade lasagna is one of my favorite dishes to have on a chilly fall or winter evening. It’s something people of all ages enjoy because of it’s simple ingredients and nostalgic feel. To me, every bite is a throw back to simpler happy times with friends and family. So I urge you to try putting this dish together for your next dinner party. I will admit it is very time consuming especially if you’re going to make pasta from scratch as well so using store bought noodles is a great way to cut down on time and effort.

There’s nothing quite as comforting as a classic chicken noodle soup. Something about it just takes us to a place where we feel warm and loved. I think there’s a huge nostalgic element to it as well and overall it’s just a really tasty soup for all ages.

We all love to dip our carrots in hummus so I thought I would take that concept and take it to the next level. This is a perfect snack or side dish for the fall and winter season. It’s completely vegan, easy to make, and probably the healthiest dish I have here. Give this a try and I bet you’ll want to have this on your rotation.

This is a dish I think we all grew up with in some form. Chicken and potatoes is a classic homemade dish mostly because chicken drumsticks and potatoes are relatively cheap when it comes to produce. And my favorite way to prep this is with a whole lot of garlic and lemon. It’s really hard to go wrong here so if you’re feeling up to it give this a try!

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 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!

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.