Category Archives: Family Favourites

Courgette and Bean Soup

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Bean courgette soup

I’d like to think that I easily fit my ‘5 a day’ recommendation by nutritionist to my daily diet – well how hard can it be? Then again, I think closely and wonder about the possibilities of how and when? How are we suppose to consume it? Cooked or raw, in a salad or a side dish, a snack or a pudding, plain or multi-coloured? Well I have to say all apply, because in each one you truly get to see each fruit/vegetable’s purpose, potential and benefit put to the test. This way you wouldn’t feel it’s a tick box into your list of 5 for that day, and before you know it, you don’t even need to think about counting and start to truly enjoy the diverse and delicious flavours they have to offer. Continue reading →

Za’tar Flat Bread

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zatar bread sliced

It’s been fairly quiet on the blogging front, and by no means quiet on the home front. Apart from the food hibernation due to the long hours of fasting, receiving and attending dinner invitations, family gatherings and entertaining/occupying the children during their summer holidays has taken up a large chunk of my time. It’s only natural of course to take things easy, relax and really enjoy the holiday despite the heat and long day hours. I have to admit summer is not my favourite season, and I always long for shorter days, cooler temperatures and the ability to wear many layers for extra comfort! Strange I know, since so many love the hot weather, and there’s me getting nose bleeds and migraine attacks when it’s really sunny! Continue reading →

Mr A salad

Mr A’s Salad

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I kid you not when I say I prepare this salad, every single day, seven days a week, 365 days a year! Well.. apart from the days when we eat out I suppose. I call it Mr A’s salad, because this is what my husband likes with his every meal. Is it worth posting? Probably not, but since I prepare it for him all the time, you might as well know about it. I’m on auto-pilot mode when I’m chopping the vegetables, and I’ll happily do it for him, for as long as he’ll make me his signature omelette. Continue reading →

Lentil Rice – M’jaddarah

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Yes I’m back again..

lentil rice

It’s been a few busy weeks and yet still more to come! Do I just have to stop staying “I’m busy”, as this always seems to be the case? I know.. from now on I’ll only mention it if it’s been fairly quiet, how about that? Whichever the case, “Determination, perseverance and patience”, I always tell myself. Continue reading →

Date stuffed cookies – Ma’moul

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date cookies, ma'moul

This post is a much over-due promise to a friend who has requested the recipe a long time ago! Ma’moul or ma’amoul (معمول ) are delicate cookies/pastries widely common with Middle Easterns. They are usually filled with dates, walnuts, coconut or pistachios and are served on occasions such as Eid, Christmas or Easter. If you search this recipe online I’m sure you’ll find many hits, each one adding the author’s unique touch. Some are hand-me down recipes from many generations, others slightly tweaked to personal taste. Continue reading →

Breakfast with Spelt Bread – 2 Ways

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breakfast, yoghurt, za'tar, tahini, date syrup

There are certain habits you naturally inherit from your parents. Some may be good, others, well not so. Food usually features quite strongly in that. Sometimes I wish I hadn’t inherited my sweet tooth from both my parents, it would have made life a lot easier! However to be fair, they did teach me that sweets should be consumed on special occasions or as treats. A piece of cake used to be a true luxury, compared to the common tea-time ritual that has become so common nowadays. Continue reading →

Dieting, fasting, and lentil soup

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Prepare yourself for a long post. Why? It’s about my dieting experience, the latest scientific research about fasting and a quick recipe for a traditional lentil soup, I can’t help it.

lentil soup

Thankfully, I’ve never been overweight, don’t have any food allergies or intolerances and never restricted myself from anything in particular. I’ve even been tested for caeliac disease due to my ongoing struggle with anaemia, tiredness and sometimes bloatedness. As you age, weight slowly and devilishly starts creeping up, then you realise you are no longer the teenager who ate whatever they wanted. In the quest to shed a few kilos I have put my body through the following: Continue reading →