Category Archives: Stories and Recipes

Lebanese Fig Jam with Anise, a full jar

Fig jam jar Badawi table POST

Ever since my cousins and I had what can only be described as an extremely fun baking disaster day a couple of years ago, I’ve been on the hunt to learn Lebanese flatbread from a pro, the way my Sitto … Continue reading

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Lemon Meringue Tart, The Most Extraordinary

Lemon meringue tart POST

You can imagine how long the days, how sore the back, how bruised the ego of a culinary intern during her first month on the job in a restaurant. I learned at least something every day at Boulette’s Larder in … Continue reading

Posted in Stories and Recipes | Tagged , | 25 Comments

Grilled Lamb Lollipops with Fresh Mint Sauce; Chine on…

Grilled chops platter POST

For me to present to you a perfectly procured, grilled, and sauced rack of lamb strikes me as a decent feat, given the lamb drama I have experienced over the years. Lamb failed me most humbly when my sister and … Continue reading

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Lebanese Spinach Pies, or fatayar, or whatever

Fatayar platter POST

You’d think I’ve been taking entrance exams for a job at Cook’s Illustrated. I imagine one of the more challenging tests they could give an aspiring test kitchen cook there would be: figure out how to make spinach fatayar that … Continue reading

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Warm Dates with Toasted Almonds & Lime; a California story

Date platter with zest POST

Every day at Tante Marie’s, the best of our plates were saved for a special friend of the house. We took pains to be certain that he received our finest preparation of the starter, main course, and dessert from our … Continue reading

Posted in Stories and Recipes | Tagged , , , | 24 Comments