Christmas
(Much!) Easier Spanakopita
Spanakopita is traditionally made by buttering layer after layer of phyllo. No more! Try my (much!) easier Spanakopita using my super simple hack. This is a recipe my Sitto learned at her Greek Orthodox Church and shared with me. The original includes the best of everything, and my original post went to the heart of…
Read MoreChocolate Peppermint Graybeh
This traditional Lebanese butter cookie is here in a whole new flavor combo. Chocolate Peppermint Graybeh will be the darling of your cookie platter and swap! Try classic graybeh with this recipe. This is the little Christmas that could. Could…find clever ways to impart chocolate goodness to that which it has not known before. There…
Read MoreChocolate Baklava
Baklawa (baklava) fans, get ready for this: CHOCOLATE BAKLAVA! I devised my recipe for deep chocolate flavor while maintaining the crisp phyllo texture and buttery nutty notes that are hallmarks of great baklawa. Please hear me out. My chocolate baklava dreams began many years ago. This was back when the children in the family, my…
Read MoreBonus Cranberry Parfait
This simple “leftovers” way with cranberry sauce is dreamy goodness, a Bonus Cranberry Parfait. Try my mom’s incredible Cranberry Sauce with Rose Water & Pistachios here. I think of this recipe as one to be done after Thanksgiving, as a great way to use leftover cranberry sauce. But that title, “leftover,” just seems so unfair,…
Read MoreSitto’s Date Ma’moul
Date Ma’moul are traditional Lebanese shortbread cookies that are molded and filled. There are different shapes of molds, meant to indicate the different types of fillings. Walnuts, pistachios, and date paste are the classic fillings. Date Ma’moul is made for special occasions and holidays. Find the highest quality mold, custom made, along with specialty ingredients…
Read MoreSfeha Flatbreads
Sfeha flatbreads are traditional Lebanese soft flatbread topped with highly seasoned meat. Sfeha are also commonly made into small open-faced square hand pies. As with so many inventions, necessity is its mother. My obsession with sfeha (SFEE-huh) began on my trip to Lebanon in 2012. I had not even sought out the world of Ba’albek…
Read MoreBest Pie Crust Tips
My best pie crust tips will get you to fabulous for your pie crusts, every time. My favorite pie crust recipes, which happen to be vegan, result in flakey, golden crusts ready for every filling you can imagine. Oil-based Crust My two favorite crusts are both oil-based but both different. Every year I laud the…
Read MoreAuthentic Eggnog
The richness of this authentic eggnog recipe is lightened with a big puff of whipped meringue and whipped cream. You can go non-alcoholic, but the rum really does cut the richness. Authentic eggnog, rich and creamy and heavily spiked, has always for some reason seemed out of reach come Christmas and New Year’s at home.…
Read MoreMom’s Frosted Christmas Cut-Out Cookies
Sometimes you just want what Mom made! Here are the frosted cut-out cookies we clamor for at Christmas, a perfect recipe anytime you want a cut-out. The cookies are crisp yet hold shape and taste wonderful, and the frosting is easy, three-ingredient buttercream heaven. I’m really of two minds when it comes to traditional recipes.…
Read MoreOrange Blossom Pecan Pie
Rich, brown-sugary pecan pie is made better with very toasty pecans and a whisper of orange blossom water. The flavor is as beautiful as it sounds: Orange Blossom Pecan Pie. A shocking moment occurred during the development of this pecan pie recipe. My tester group (Dan and sons) was miffed when I brought plates of…
Read More