Lebanese Maza Recipes
A new Za’atar Flatbread recipe to love
This za’atar flatbread recipe originates as a pizza dough recipe and has the ultimate thin yet soft and chewy crust. Hands down this dough makes the best za’atar flatbread I’ve ever made or eaten, and a tremendous pizza! Bonus: you can make the dough in advance. We all have them, or at least I hope…
Read MoreZa’atar Roasted Tomato Crostini with Labneh
Za’atar with summer’s cherry or grape tomatoes, slow-roasted, are incredibly good! These delectable little bites of za’atar roasted tomatoes and labneh atop crostini stole the show at many of my events promoting my cookbook when I was on tour, and often make their appearance for cocktail hour at our house. Try substituting the crostini with…
Read MoreSpicy Lebanese Salsa
Among the many well-known Lebanese flavor makers (the za’atar, the cinnamon and allspice, the mint, and so on), there is a whole world of spicy Lebanese, including spicy Lebanese salsa, that did not find its way into the kitchens Abood (Dad’s family) and Abowd (Mom’s family). My dad was quite clear about where he stood…
Read MoreHomemade Baked Pita Chips
I love baked pita chips — simple to make and a great way to use up the last couple of loaves of pita that seem to hang on! Bake them for a healthier-than-fried version and still just as crunchy, salty, and addictive. I’ve written about cousins in all sorts of ways here (i.e., see this…
Read MoreBest Homemade Hummus Recipe
This is Your Guide to the Best Homemade Hummus Recipe You Can Make or Eat. Because there are so few ingredients in homemade smooth hummus, each one has to be the best. Here are the tricks to getting your homemade hummus to come out smooth and luscious. I’ve been talking, and making, a lot of…
Read MoreKoosa Fatayar (a.k.a.: savory zucchini pies)
Koosa Fatayar are one of many Lebanese fatayar recipes, little triangular pies with savory fillings. Practice makes perfect in getting the dough pinched very hard along the seams to keep the pies from opening up. Find recipes for spinach fatayar here and meat fatayar here. When one makes a study of literature, as I did…
Read MoreGarlic Butter Glazed Talami Bread
Eureka! Truly an exceptionally simple method for Lebanese talami bread that yields a light, airy, perfect loaf. I’ve published other recipes for talami, but this one is IT. I really don’t get super gadget-happy in my kitchen. Gotta have sharp knives. Lots of dish towels. A lemon reamer, GOT TO. Anyone who’s ever made Lebanese…
Read MoreOven-Fried Chicken Wings with Spicy Za’atar
Oven-fried chicken wings are right up there with deep fried in the flavor category–these are so good, you’ll want a double or triple batch to keep your crew happy! The za’atar, a Lebanese spice blend of wild thyme, sumac, and sesame, is lightly dusted on the wings after baking for an extra dimension of deliciousness.…
Read MoreZa’atar Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
Roasted pumpkin seeds are addictively good as they are, but adding a dusting of Lebanese za’atar spice takes them over the top! These are good for adults and kids alike. Make plenty. I stopped buying pumpkins years ago when I moved to Chicago. They were always so pricey there, ridiculously so. And then there was…
Read MoreYour go-to summer dip: Labneh with Garlic and Herbs
Part of the fun, and good work, of sharing my new Lebanese cookbook with the world is doing interviews (and—thankfully—lots of them). Today, this Very Big Deal was published in The New York Times! Among the many questions that get asked in these interviews, I’ve always been unnecessarily prepared for one of the sort Bon…
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