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.

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.

I am a huge fan of cheesecake. There’s just something about the smooth creaminess of it that I can’t get enough of. Well I cracked the code on cheesecake and made this beautiful raspberry cheesecake with a biscoff cookie crust and raspberry syrup. I made this and brought it to a party and it disappeared the second dessert was brought out.

Making a good steak is one of the most important parts of learning to cook. It’s one of those meals that when you get it right you feel so good about yourself. Well when you add this peppercorn sauce to your steak it goes from good to great. I promise it’s easy to make and takes only a few extra minutes and you’ll have quite an impressive plate in front of you. This is great for home date nights or just to enjoy a great steak night.

Homemade pesto is one of the easiest and best sauces you can make. Honestly I have no understanding why you would prefer to buy some pre-made generic pesto. Unless you’re buying from a legitimate source like a restaurant or family owned business, your pesto is better off made at home. And pairing this with some shrimp with a bit of heat is just the cherry on top. This will have you feeling like a professional chef in your own home.

This is my favorite 30 minute meal that I always go to when I’m tight on time. The prep and cleanup are super quick and easy and the cook time is only 20 minutes. The best part about it is this recipe can be applied for a large party or just for yourself. This has also been my most popular recipe so I know it’s been a great success with everyone who has tried it.

Baklava is one of those desserts that always had me wondering “how do they make this?” It’s these small flaky and crispy bites of sweetness filled with walnuts and topped with pistachios. It has a very floral aroma and a stickiness that has you knowing it’s about to be the sweetest bite you’ve taken all day. Well after diving into my curiosity, I’ve figured out how to put this wonderful delicacy together and I hope it’s something you try as well.

Bamya is one of those dishes that you either love it or hate it. And I’m confident that if you hate it, it’s because you’ve never had it done right. I get it okra is a very slimy vegetable and the texture is the number one reason people don’t like it. Well if you cook it well that texture is not very present and you’re diving into a plate full of wonder flavor. This is my family recipe that we’ve used time and time again. Everyone in my family loves it and even friends and guests love it as well.

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.

Knafeh is a world renowned dessert consisting of buttery dough & sweet cheese (kind of like mozzarella) oven baked or slow cooked over a stove until the dough becomes crispy and the cheese is gooey and melty giving you the best cheese pull you’ll ever witness. Traditional knafeh requires a pretty large tray and a lot of care and attention while making it so it’s not really reasonable for the everyday person to make. That’s where these knafeh cups come in. It’s simple and straight to the point. The clean up isn’t that bad and you get to enjoy all the great things about knafeh!

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.

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 true labor of love.

This is a very special dessert to me. I grew up with this and it was always presented when we had guests over or at times of celebration. It’s a very simple dessert and not really something everyone reaches for but it always had a special place with me.

Moussaka is one of my favorite vegan dishes. It’s rich, savory, and packed with so much flavor. It’s a great dish to put together if you’re trying to eat light and healthy and it just looks gorgeous when it’s all put together. This is what I would recommend to anyone who is wanting to use more or get into eggplant too. I know it’s not the most popular out there but when it’s done right, you’ll be going back for more and more.

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

The Levantine way of preparing peas and carrots with fluffy vermicelli rice. It’s cozy, comforting, and heartwarming. My favorite childhood dish and I can’t get enough of it. A great crowd pleaser for all ages and takes very little time and effort to make.