Recipes › Appetizers Kibbeh Recipe (2 Ways) By Samira Kazan updated November 14, 2023 How to make kibbeh : stuffed meatballs or a layered bake made with traditional Middle Eastern spices, ground beef and/or lamb, and bulgur wheat. Bake or fry it to enjoy as a mezze or side! Kibbeh is one of my favorite comfort foods from my childhood (along with arayes , sfiha , mansaf , and fatayer )....

Recipes › Breakfast Middle-Eastern Zaatar Bread (Manakish Za’atar) By Samira Kazan updated June 21, 2023 Enjoy this traditional Middle Eastern flatbread , aka Zaatar bread/Manakish Za’atar, with just 7 ingredients from scratch and 20 minutes of hands-on prep! This zaatar flatbread can be served as a snack, appetizer, or alongside a breakfast spread! When I was a child, I couldn’t wait for the days when I got to enjoy zaatar manakish from the local Lebanese bakery, even better if a family made it from scratch....

Recipes › Mains Musakhan Sumac Chicken By Samira Kazan published January 09, 2025 This is the best Musakhan sumac chicken recipe! This Palestinian roast chicken with caramelized onions will become your new favorite way to eat this protein! Detailed steps, photos, and video are included. As a Middle Eastern woman, I’ve enjoyed some of the region’s most iconic dishes throughout my life. My mom’s Lebanese molokhia recipe is a family favorite, while Musakhan—a classic Palestinian dish of sumac and onion chicken on flatbread—is another top choice for its bold and unforgettable flavors....

Recipes › Sides Roasted Carrots By Samira Kazan published March 10, 2025 These oven-roasted carrots are simple, delicious, and ready in under 30 minutes! Roasting them with honey brings out their natural sweetness and adds a light glaze and appetizing caramelization. Roasted carrots are one of the easiest side dishes to make, and to me, they’re also one of the most delicious. The high heat of the oven intensifies their natural sweetness, creating tender carrots with perfectly caramelized edges....

Recipes ‚Ä∫ Desserts Salted Caramel & Raspberry Vegan Magnum Ice Creams By Samira Kazan updated May 04, 2022 These homemade salted caramel & raspberry chia jam vegan “magnum” style ice creams are dairy-free, with refined sugar-free fillings & sure to satisfy all your ice cream cravings! The sun’s out, which means my ice-cream cravings are at 200%… So only a bit more than when it’s any other type of weather. Good thing I basically always have a stash of these vegan magnum ice cream-inspired bars....

Recipes › Mains The Best Beef Birria Tacos By Samira Kazan updated August 12, 2024 These rich, flavorful beef birria tacos combine tender beef birria (cooked with a stove, crockpot, oven, or Instant Pot) with cheese, onion, & cilantro in crispy tortillas alongside dipping consommé for a truly show-stopping meal! Where regular chicken tacos and ground beef tacos are quick and easy to prepare even as a last-minute dinner, these homemade beef birria tacos take several hours to prepare....

Recipes › Breakfast The Best Protein Pancakes By Samira Kazan published November 09, 2023 Make perfectly light and fluffy protein pancakes in 15 minutes – combining oats, yogurt, & protein powder for a delicious, nutritious, naturally gluten-free breakfast or post-workout snack! I’ve already shared healthy spinach oatmeal pancakes , but for those wanting to boost their protein intake, these homemade protein pancakes are a great and easy option. They provide a whopping 30 grams of protein per serving and are perfect for keeping you feeling full for longer....

Condiments Vegan Caramel Sauce (& Sugar-Free Date Caramel) By Samira Kazan updated March 28, 2025 Make vegan caramel sauce in minutes – using under 5 ingredients, you can make this caramel 2 ways – including a sugar-free caramel (with dates)! Perfect for serving with breakfasts, desserts, and drinks! I have posted my recipe for simple classic homemade caramel sauce , but for those wanting to go a little lighter on the desserts, or even just dairy-free, this post contains my favorite recipe for an easy vegan caramel sauce, including a sugar-free caramel sauce option!...

Recipes 3-Ingredient Strawberry Banana Smoothie By Samira Kazan updated May 24, 2022 This strawberry banana smoothie makes a great, delicious breakfast or snack. It’s creamy and naturally sweet, making it a perfect treat any time of day. With only 3 ingredients needed, prep time is minimal. Plus, this banana strawberry smoothie is gluten-free, dairy-free, and contains only natural sugar! The great thing about making smoothies is that you have options galore....

Roundups 55+ Best Christmas Dinner Ideas By Samira Kazan updated December 12, 2024 55+ Christmas Eve and Christmas dinner ideas to create a delicious and crowd-pleasing holiday menu. From traditional and modern appetizers to show-stopping mains, sides, desserts, and drinks—everything you need to wow your guests! Here is my list of the best Christmas dinner recipes to help you prepare a stress-free holiday menu. There is plenty to choose from: staple recipes like creamy mashed potatoes and festive gingerbread cookies; versatile ingredients like roasted garlic (so mellow and caramelized, it elevates everything from sides to sauces!...

Recipes › Mains Chana Masala By Samira Kazan published April 18, 2024 Aromatic and lightly spicy, this chana masala has a rich, deep flavor. It’s a delicious vegan curry option for main meals and is ready to serve in 30 minutes! One of the very best ways to enjoy vegan comfort food is this delicious chana masala, an Indian chickpea curry dish with an onion and tomato masala gravy. Ready in just 30 minutes, I consider this something of a ‘cheats’ recipe for an authentic dish that doesn’t skimp on flavor....

Condiments Creamy Avocado Cilantro Sauce By Samira Kazan updated November 28, 2023 A creamy avocado cilantro sauce with a kick! This is the perfect dipping sauce for all avocado lovers and can be served alongside rice paper rolls, party platters, or turned into a creamy avocado salad dressing. This recipe is packed with healthy fats and can be made dairy-free and vegan. Creamy guacamole , it’s time to step aside because there’s a new avocado dip recipe in town....

Recipes › Vegan Crispy Air Fried Oyster Mushrooms (or Oven Roasted) By Samira Kazan updated April 29, 2024 How to make crispy air-fried oyster mushrooms – these crispy oyster mushrooms are easy to prepare and perfect for serving up as a vegan chicken substitute! Plus, I’ve included an oven-roasted and air-fried version, adaptable to tons of seasonings, no matter the dish! Mushrooms are an amazingly versatile ingredient. Whether you’re sauteing them to crispy perfection, adding as a filling to dumplings , cooking up into hearty mushroom ragu , adding to coffee , or using them to make a vegan fried chicken – like these air fried oyster mushrooms – you’ll never run out of ideas!...

Recipes › Appetizers Crunchy Pickled Okra (Canning & Preserving) By Samira Kazan updated April 10, 2025 Crunchy pickled okra will help you enjoy the taste of summer year-round! They’re tangy, crisp (and not slimy!), with a simple garlic and dill-based pickling spice. Quick fridge pickles or water bath canning methods below! I’ll admit, I haven’t shared many recipes with okra on my blog. However, in all the times I’ve used okra, I’ve panicked about the sliminess that can occur from preparing them incorrectly....

Recipes › DIYs DIY Extra Virgin Coconut Oil (Cold-pressed Coconut Oil) By Samira Kazan updated December 07, 2021 A super simple DIY for homemade extra virgin coconut oil – an unrefined cold-pressed coconut oil made from just one ingredient and far more cost-efficient than store-bought options! I already have a simple DIY for homemade Virgin coconut oil , but here I am again. This time, with a super simple method for making extra virgin coconut oil – using a heat-free cold-pressed coconut oil simple process....

Condiments Homemade Garlic Aioli By Samira Kazan updated July 30, 2024 My quick & easy homemade garlic aioli recipe is a creamy blend of lemon and garlic that elevates this garlic mayo sauce to a restaurant-style aioli. Plus, it’s easy to make and the perfect dipping sauce for parties (or just to have on your own). Though in the US we might be ketchup lovers, we could all take note from the Europeans....

Recipes › Drinks Homemade Mocha Frappuccino By Samira Kazan updated July 18, 2024 How to make a creamy, dessert-like mocha Frappuccino at home – an icy, rich, chocolatey coffee drink but a cheaper “copycat” of your favorite coffee-shop version. I thought it was about time that I learned to make some of my favorite coffeehouse drinks (homemade Starbucks please!) at home. Starting with a creamy, chocolatey mocha Frappuccino recipe. As ‘convenient’ as it is to grab your mocha frappe from a store elsewhere, by making it at home you’ll end up saving time and money (lots of it!...

Ingredient Guides How to Dry Oregano (3 Methods) By Samira Kazan updated April 10, 2025 How to dry oregano at home with one of 3 methods: dehydrator, oven, or air drying – so you never run out when needed. Plus, how to store and use dried oregano to add flavor to your dishes. Oregano is one of my favorite herbs (hello, Za’atar !). It has a delightful aroma and distinct robust, earthy flavor that make it a popular ingredient in many cuisines....

Recipes › DIYs How to Dry Sage Leaves (4 Methods) By Samira Kazan updated April 10, 2025 How to dry sage at home with one of 4 methods: dehydrator, oven, microwave, or air drying – so you never run out when needed. Plus, how to store and use dried sage! Sage is a popular herb that’s part of the mint family alongside oregano, rosemary, thyme, and basil. It has a robust earthy flavor (with hints of citrus and pine) and can be used as fresh or dried sage leaves to boost dozens of dishes....

Recipes › DIYs How to Make Bulgur Wheat at Home By Samira Kazan updated November 14, 2023 How to make bulgur wheat at home – a par-boiled, dried, and cracked wheat that is perfect for making tabbouleh salad , using instead of rice or couscous, and within Middle-Eastern/Mediterranean cuisine! Want to save this recipe? What is Bulgur Wheat? The Ingredients/Materials How to Make Bulgur Wheat How to Store How to Use Bulgur Wheat FAQs Method Top Tips Related Recipes & DIYs How to Make Bulgur Wheat at Home Recipe What is Bulgur Wheat?...