Middle East
Falafel Fa’Life
What’s the first thing you think of when I say Arabic food? Chances are, falafel and hummus are in the mix. Nowadays we can add shawarma, tabouleh and kebab to the list. The West is becoming more adventurous when trying Middle Eastern cuisine. But falafel remains an old standard as a savory, cheap, semi-healthy, vegetarian [...]
Go Fish: Iraq & the Gulf
Here, fishy fishy. Fish is an important part of life in the Arabian/Persian Gulf. The inhabitants have a long tradition of fishing and pearl diving amid the colorful corals. Savory dishes, interesting aromas, and fish markets are all aplenty in Gulf countries, like Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE. Since the Gulf is at the [...]
Wake up with Zat
Harken the words once spoken by Julia Child, “how can a nation be great if its bread tastes like Kleenex?” She was likely comparing French bakeries to Wonder Bread, an unfair comparison. But tongue and cheek aside, bread is the brick of life and bakeries are integral to the well-being and culinary culture of a [...]
Allo! from Jordan
I adore this land. With all the complexities of a modern nation, Jordan stands out in the Levant as a center of history and a haven for many fleeing political uncertainty. But for me it holds the memories of family and summers, and most certainly of food! Jordan is a country rich in beauty. Petra [...]
Love your Fat-toush!
Everyone seems to be a food expert these days. Not a day goes past when I don’t hear someone talking about a vegetarian – gluten-free – dairy-free – sugar-free – Paleolithic – vegan – omega-rich – Atkins – elimination – wheat-free – detox – juice – halal – macrobiotic – carb-free – caffeine-free – liquid – organic [...]
Limonana, Not Your Average Lemonade
When you spend a lot of time in the scorching summers in the Middle East, you really appreciate those things that cool you down. There are some oxymorons: hot tea on a blazing day; heavy clothing in the middle of the desert; and scantily dressed belly dancers. Head to Palestine, and the contradictions are more [...]
Accuro: Class Act
Dubai in the United Arab Emirates is an extremely diverse place. Schools reflect this diversity – there are Asian schools, Arab schools, Western-expat schools, and each school has a different food culture and needs. Accuro has partnered with eight schools (14,000 students) to encourage healthier school lunches, incorporating more fresh fruits and vegetable and reducing [...]
Dip into this
Make a splash with a dip in the near east this summer with three colorfully tasty, easy and healthy dips. We start with Baba Ghanouj, a fusion of roasted eggplant and tahini. Then on to Muhammara, a mix of roasted red peppers, walnuts and pomegranate. And finally, the widely popular Hummus, a blend of chickpeas [...]
Chile y Chocolate
One of the bright sides to growing up as an immigrant in North America is that you’re rarely alone. In no time the U.S. will be majority Hispanic. Growing up on the California-Mexican border that reality has always been real to me. But just below the surface California is a hodgepodge of “minority” immigrants, including [...]
The IRONIC: Sweet Recollections
I escaped Iran alone as a child in 1978—just a few months before the country burst into revolutionary flames. I went on to live in four countries in five years before I landed in the U.S. and reunited with my parents. In many ways my recollections of those early years in Iran and traveling around [...]
