Summer
Grilled Chicken Shawarma
Grilled chicken shawarma is the perfect recipe for summer cookouts: easy, healthy, and incredibly flavorful. You’ll put this one on repeat performance all season long. Steak. Shish Kebab. BBQ Chicken. Steak. Shish Kebab. BBQ Chicken. It’s a kind of grilling rut I’ve noticed in recent summers. Granted, this is a “rut” of delicious dinners, but…
Read MoreKoosa Core Saute
What to do with koosa cores, the centers of summer squash scraped out when you maked stuffed koosa? There are a few great ways to put the cores to use; my favorite is a quick koosa core saute over high heat, with plenty of aromatics for flavor. It’s like winning a little victory in the…
Read MoreFresh Mint Slushie
This fresh mint slushie, given some body with a hit of cucumber, is great with or without alcohol (bourbon, vodka, gin, arak or ouzo–any of these are great). Serve the mint slushie for a twist on the mint julep for the Kentucky Derby, and then all summer long for a fabulous barbecue party drink. Admittedly,…
Read MoreQuinoa Protein Salad
Quinoa Protein Salad packs a great protein punch, tastes incredibly good, and keeps hunger at bay for hours, and it’s vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free (though some findings indicate quinoa may not work for celiacs). I was in the airport in Chicago recently, and felt like I’d stepped out of a time warp from somewhere far,…
Read MoreRaspberry Buttercream Cake
Everything about this Raspberry Buttercream Cake says “happy”! Happy Valentine’s Day, Happy Birthday, Happy Spring, Happy Summer, Happy to be Happy! The secret to the all-natural deep pink color and true raspberry flavor is freeze-dried raspberry powder. Total dream. I don’t know if I love Valentine’s Day because it falls during my birthday week, or…
Read MoreWhite Beans with Za’atar Roasted Tomatoes and Olive Oil
There is so much to love about velvety, protein-packed white beans–especially white beans with za’atar roasted tomatoes and olive oil, an ultra-flavorful combination that will keep you satisfied, healthy, and happy! Vegetarian and gluten-free (and vegan if you leave out the parmesan cheese). When I daydream of cozy evenings with my sissie on Seminary Avenue…
Read MoreBread and Butter Sweet Pickle Chips
My bread and butter sweet pickle chips are so simple to make, but huge on flavor and crunch. The sweet onion is as delicious as the cucumbers in these refrigerator pickles. Here’s the thing about the abundance of the last three months up north in Michigan: Yes, we’ve had that long-awaited access to local fruit…
Read MoreLabneh Green Goddess
Labneh Green Goddess switches up the traditional mayo/buttermilk dip with labneh, which offers wonderful flavor and tang. And health! You can use any plain labneh or Greek yogurt with any level of fat content. Use tons of herbs and make plenty so you can use your Labneh Green Goddess as a dip, a dressing, or…
Read MoreVegetarian Stuffed Koosa
Vegetarian stuffed koosa is based on the classic Lebanese dish of hollowed-out, stuffed summer squash poached in tomato (or yogurt). Koosa squash is a lighter green version of zucchini; dark green or yellow zucchini work beautifully for this dish if you don’t have Lebanese koosa. In any case, always select smaller squash, about 6 or…
Read MoreRaspberry Rose Jelly
Raspberry rose jelly is a beautiful way to enjoy ultra-pure raspberry flavor with no seeds. The rose water makes the raspberry taste even more raspberry! Everyone has a texture thing of one sort or another, don’t you think? My texture thing is not extensive, really it’s not. Oysters? No problem. Pate? Yes please. Labneh and…
Read More