Beef Kebabs with Zhoug and Harissa Raw Onion Relish

Zhoug is an aromatic Yemenite hot pepper and cilantro paste, which is known all over the Middle East and the Mediterranean. It is mostly used as a condiment, but it is also added to soups and other dishes. In the dish here, I’ve decided to use it to flavor a raw onion relish, along with sweet Harrisa, a spiced North African hot peppers paste, which was served with broiled beef kebabs.

Shrimps, Flowering Chives and Rice Flour Fritters

When I saw a bunch of flowering chives at the store, it immediately drew my attention. Smelling the flowers, I was expecting, probably due to their lavender color, that they would have a sweet floral smell. However, to my surprise, they had fresh onion scent, similar to that of the chives. I later learned that the flowers are edible and can be used in the same way chives is used.

Roasted Chicken Drumsticks with Honey, Mustard and Curry Powder Glaze

The following highly aromatic roasted chicken drumsticks, are as quickly to make as they are tasty. It takes only a few minutes to prepare the tasty glaze, and then all that is needed is to pour it over the chicken pieces and roast them for an hour. The result is superb: the glaze gives the chicken a wonderful flavor, a combination of savory, sweet, buttery and hot, with appetizing  aroma. Try it and enjoy.

Swiss Chard Frittata with Poached Eggs and Hollandaise Sauce

Leisurely eaten weekend brunch is something to look forward to all week. Here is a quick and easy to make dish, that doesn’t require any preparations in advance.
The Swiss Chard frittata can be served as is, but the addition of poached eggs and Hollandaise sauce, elevate it to another level.

Artichoke Hearts with Shrimp Saffron Salad

Artichoke season is here, and as I’m a big fan of this unique vegetable (actually, an edible flower bud from the thistle family), I always try to find new ways to serve it. This time I’ve decided to use the artichoke hearts as a bed for serving a tasty shrimps salad.

BLT Sandwich and Salad

BLT stands for Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato, which are placed between two slices of toasted white bread spread with mayonnaise. It is one of the most popular American sandwiches, and by now is known in many other countries as well. The very simple combination of the main ingredients works so well together, with the saltiness of the bacon, slight acidity and sweetness of the tomatoes and the fresh and crisp lettuce.

Sweet and Spicy Chicken Drumsticks

Chicken drumsticks are my favorite part for buffet dinners. They are easy to serve and are the perfect portion when combined with other dishes.
The recipe here makes using them even easier, as they are mixed with the marinade in the pan ahead of time, and kept in the fridge until ready to roast.

Fried White Anchovies with Parsley-Lime Dressing

Most of us know anchovies mainly as a salted fish condiment, sold in small cans or jars, used often to flavor dressings and salads. The small fresh fish is mostly popular in the Mediterranean, where it is usually fried whole, or after a short marination in a vinegary marinade, with spices and herbs. A version of this, marinated longer and vacuum packed, is sold commercially, and is known as “white anchovies”.

Eggplant Rolls with Lamb Patties and Roasted Tomatoes-Peppers sauce

The combination of eggplant and lamb meat is one of my favorites. In the recipe here, the patties are fried in the last minute and the dish is assembles in before serving.

Flat Iron Steak with Tarragon-Cashew Pesto

Even though many people refer to Pesto as a paste/sauce made primarily from basil leaves and pine nuts, the term “pesto” can actually be used to describe any other similar types of paste.

Duck with Cranberries and Orange Sauce

With plenty of leftover cranberries and oranges, I’ve decided to put some into good use, in the form of a sauce for a duck dish.
Cranberries and oranges go so well together, and the acidity and mild sweetness is just perfect for a duck dish. The result was wonderful.