Category Archives: Mediterranean

Avgolemono – Greek Egg and Lemon Soup

Avgolemono – Greek Egg and Lemon Soup

December 12, 2022

Prep and cook 20 minutes.   A creamy and silky smooth lemon chicken soup gently thickened with an egg emulsion.  Chicken soup is the universal remedy for all physical and... More

Pan Roasted Chicken Thighs With Zaatar

Pan Roasted Chicken Thighs With Zaatar

September 8, 2022

Prep time 10 min cook time 30-40 min Baked chicken thighs smothered with tangy caramelized lemons and red onions laced together with lemony sumac and aromatic Za’atar. Let me... More

Spanakopita “Crostata Style”

Spanakopita “Crostata Style”

September 2, 2022

Prep 15 min Cook 35 min Spanakopita is a traditional Greek spinach pie made with creamy feta cheese, sautéed onions and spinach all wrapped in fluffy Filo pastry. It makes a... More

Sicilian Artichoke Hearts With Almond Sauce

Sicilian Artichoke Hearts With Almond Sauce

June 17, 2022

Prep time 10 min cook time 20 min A delicious low calorie recipe of poached artichoke hearts served with a creamy almond sauce. As I traveI, I am constantly reminded of how... More

Grilled Zucchini With Zaatar Dressing

Grilled Zucchini With Zaatar Dressing

November 5, 2021

Cook and Prep time 10 min Za’atar has a definite thyme flavor with overtones of nutty sesame seeds, the aromas of coriander and cumin seeds laced with lemony sumac. You can make... More

Greek Shrimp with Tomatoes and Feta Cheese

Greek Shrimp with Tomatoes and Feta Cheese

August 8, 2021

Prep time 15 min Cook time 15 min A delicious and typical Greek dish of shrimp in tomato sauce, highlighted by creamy feta cheese and fresh mint. From an early age, my Greek... More

Mahalabeya – Middle Eastern Milk Pudding

Mahalabeya – Middle Eastern Milk Pudding

June 6, 2021

Prep time 15  min ( excludes refrigeration time). Creamy Mahalabeya, an aromatic pudding flavoured with orange blossom, rosewater, pistachios, and honey. This was one of my... More

Lemon Chicken With Bulgur Wheat

Lemon Chicken With Bulgur Wheat

May 6, 2021

Prep 15 min Cook 30 min This recipe combines lean chicken thighs with a low carb and fiber-rich wheat grain that epitomizes the Mediterranean Diet in a one-pan dish. Given my own... More

Greek Zucchini Fritters

Greek Zucchini Fritters

May 3, 2021

Prep 15 cook 10 min Lightly battered zucchini slices served with a garlicky yoghurt sauce is a quick and easy side dish or pre-dinner nibbles. Among the many things I miss about... More

Mediterranean Fish En Papillote

Mediterranean Fish En Papillote

March 15, 2021

Prep time 10 min cook time 15 This easy low fat recipe has all the Mediterranean flavors of succulent white fish, tomatoes, olives, capers, garlic, wrapped in light Filo pastry.... More

Ottolenghi’s Cherry Tomatoes With Yoghurt

Ottolenghi’s Cherry Tomatoes With Yoghurt

March 11, 2021

Prep time 10 min Cook time 15 min Cold Greek yoghurt topped with piping hot charbroiled cherry tomatoes makes this Ottolenghi appetizer quite unique. I have a love hate... More

Egyptian Ful (Fava Bean) Breakfast Bowl

Egyptian Ful (Fava Bean) Breakfast Bowl

March 9, 2021

Prep time 5 min cook time 15 min Fava beans are incredibly nutritious and an excellent source of soluble fiber, protein, folate, manganese, copper and several other... More

Chicken Fatteh

Chicken Fatteh

January 21, 2021

Prep time 20 min cook time 35 min The dish is full of texture and flavors; crunchy pita, perfectly seasoned and succulent chicken, smooth garlic tahini yogurt, topped off with... More

Grilled Swordfish With Koshari “Salsa”

Grilled Swordfish With Koshari “Salsa”

July 29, 2020

Prep and cook time 20 minutes This no-cook version of Egypt’s famous spiced tomato sauce with its signature sweet, tangy taste is great on any white fish filet. The... More

Seasoned Fairy Eggplants

Seasoned Fairy Eggplants

July 17, 2020

Prep time 10 min cook time 5 min Fairy eggplants are the sweetest and most delicate variety of eggplant. These tiny beauties, palm-sized and streaked with purple and white, are a... More

The Mediterranean Diet

The Mediterranean Diet

June 5, 2020

Because of my formative years in Egypt, my multicultural background, and my travels, the Mediterranean way of eating has always played an important part in my cooking and is at... More

Greek Baked Fish

Greek Baked Fish

January 25, 2020

Prep time 20 min. Cook time 15 min. This recipe relies on the natural flavors o fish, fresh lemons tomatoes and onions with sliced Calamata olives to give it a robust kick. The... More

Egyptian Festive Rice

Egyptian Festive Rice

December 16, 2019

Prep Tim 10 min Cook time 20 min Diced dried apricots, roasted chestnuts and a little tomato paste give this rice dish a festive color and flavor. The Internet can be very... More

Egyptian Ful (Fava Bean) Brunch

Egyptian Ful (Fava Bean) Brunch

July 26, 2019

Prep and cook time 1 hour This buttery bean dish served with Eggs Shakshuka cooked in an aromatic tomato sauce are the center-pieces of an Egyptian style Brunch. Ful Medames is... More

Egyptian Ful (Fava Bean) Sandwich

Egyptian Ful (Fava Bean) Sandwich

March 7, 2019

Prep time 15 min Cook time 15 min Some of the most memorable meals I have had were not in Michelin starred restaurants or romantic, candle lit dinners in a small bistro. ... More

Moroccan Aubergine

Moroccan Aubergine

October 27, 2018

Prep Time 5 min Cook time 15. This is a perfect example of the aubergine’s adaptability as an ingredient and the genius of Moroccan cuisine that blends sweet and spicy... More

Seared Cod With Tahini And Pine Nuts

Seared Cod With Tahini And Pine Nuts

October 11, 2018

Prep time 10 min cook time 15 min Tahini’s creamy texture and this recipe’s lemony garlicy taste blend well with seared cod or any other firm white fish. Growing up in... More

Grilled Fennel

Grilled Fennel

August 2, 2018

Prep time 10 min cook time 10 min Unlike the strong taste of raw fennel, grilling fennel tones down its anise flavor and the charred taste blends well with a little salt and lemon... More

Bulgur Wheat With Raisins and Pine Nuts

Bulgur Wheat With Raisins and Pine Nuts

July 27, 2018

Prep time 5 min Cook time 20 min A lot of energy goes into a meal’s main course and usually it is the protein part that gets all the attention with side dishes relegated to... More

Mediterranean Grilled  Red Pepper Salad

Mediterranean Grilled Red Pepper Salad

July 21, 2018

Prep 10 min cook 10 min Grilled sweet peppers is a snack my grandmother kept on hand along with other goodies whenever we visited in her downtown Cairo apartment. It is a simple,... More

Okra (Bamya) With Rice

Okra (Bamya) With Rice

June 30, 2018

Prep time 10 min cook time 25 min Okra ( Lady’s fingers) is well established in the US in Southern cuisine but not so much in the Northeast or West coast. It is definitely... More

Sicilian Caponata

Sicilian Caponata

June 29, 2018

Prep time 10 min Cook time 20 min These days, appetizers seem to be somewhat mundane. If I see or hear about another recipe for artichoke or avocado dip because they happen to... More

Seared Baby Zucchini With Thyme and Lemon Butter Sauce

Seared Baby Zucchini With Thyme and Lemon Butter Sauce

May 22, 2018

Prep 15 minutes Cook 15 minutes Zucchini available in supermarkets tend to be the large, bland variety and the challenge is to cook them without getting them water logged. If you... More

Shrimp And Blistered Tomato Salad

Shrimp And Blistered Tomato Salad

May 2, 2018

Prep and cook 30 min No ingredients spell Mediterranean summers like shrimp, tomatoes, garlic and basil and this recipe shouts it from the rooftops. Not only is it quick and easy,... More

Chicken Pizzaiola

Chicken Pizzaiola

March 15, 2018

Prep 10 min. Cook 25 min.  Chicken breasts soaked in a sumptuous pizza-like sauce with black olives makes this this dish rather unique. Chicken Pizzaiola is a quick and easy... More

Freekeh With Almonds and Raisins

Freekeh With Almonds and Raisins

August 11, 2017

Prep time 10 min cook time 30 min  Considered one of the top eight Middle Eastern superfoods (See article ), this delicious blend of freekeh’s smokey nutty taste with... More

The Classic Panzanella Salad

The Classic Panzanella Salad

June 14, 2015

Prep 45min Panzanella is a hearty Tuscan salad and one of my favorites – especially in summer when tomatoes are at their very best. It is made with stale or toasted bread cubes... More