Fatteh (Pita with Chickpeas and Yogurt) and a Chickpea Blog Hop

Fatteh - Pita with Chickpeas and Yogurt

I’ve only just discovered fatteh – a Levantine dish of crumbled, toasted pita covered in warm chickpeas and cool, tangy yogurt sauce – but I’m in love. It’s easy to prepare, often vegetarian, makes good use of ingredients I typically have on hand, and is a satisfying snack, starter, or breakfast. I came across it while researching an upcoming article for TreeFree Food on leftovers around the world and found fatteh as a perfect use for stale, leftover pita. The word fatteh is Arabic for “crushed” or “crumbs”, and is the name for all manner of riffs on a crumbled, toasted pita casserole. If you’ve ever had fattoush salad with toasted pita on top, I believe it comes from the same root.

 

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Buffalo Black Bean Dip and a Game Day Blog Hop

Buffalo Black Bean Dip

While I don’t care much about football, I do love all the snacks that go with it. And this Buffalo black bean dip is my new obsession. It takes all of 15 minutes to make, is vegetarian and gluten free, and scratches my Buffalo wing itch without all the calories. In fact, if you eat the dip with veggies it’s about as healthy as game day food gets, and yet feels just as indulgent. Continue reading “Buffalo Black Bean Dip and a Game Day Blog Hop”

Homemade Paneer and Ricotta, and an Indian Food Blog Hop

Homemade Paneer and Ricotta

If I had realized how easy it is to make paneer at home, I would have started doing it long ago. I’d made ricotta (or, technically, farmer’s cheese) many times and loved the simple process and fresh taste. Turns out homemade paneer is just an extra step away. Two ingredients and minimal equipment – does it get any easier than that? Continue reading “Homemade Paneer and Ricotta, and an Indian Food Blog Hop”

Strawberry Crisp

Strawberry Crisp

As opposed to the American Northeast, where summer is prime berry season, in Israel strawberries are abundant in winter. I love it. Right now the shuks are overflowing with fresh, ripe, vibrant strawberries to be purchased by the kilo. Which I do. So, while it was difficult to choose this month’s Secret Recipe Club recipe from my assigned blog, Cupcake Muffin, as soon as I saw this strawberry crisp recipe I knew I had to make it. And I’m so glad I did! It’s my perfect dessert – fruity with great textures and just the right amount of sweetness. Continue reading “Strawberry Crisp”

Salted Caramels and a Christmas Blog Hop

Homemade salted caramels

This will be the first Christmas that I’m not spending at home, the only winter that I haven’t been in New York. The sandstorm we just had in the desert doesn’t quite take the place of snowflakes, and the warm weather is at odds with traditional Christmas carols. But, I’ll be in Bethlehem, which is pretty neat. And I have plenty of salted caramels to fill my stocking. Continue reading “Salted Caramels and a Christmas Blog Hop”

Leek, Potato, and Feta Pancakes and a Fried Food Blog Hop

Leek, Potato, and Feta Pancakes

I still can’t get over the fact that it’s December. But here it is, and Hanukkah (Chanukah) starts tomorrow evening, in all it’s fried glory. Being in Israel for the holiday means sufginyot (jelly donuts) everywhere, latkes on the cover of every food magazine, and huge menorahs around town. My favorite, though, is sticking my head out the window on the first night of Hanukkah and smelling the frying oil in the thick, greasy air. It’s fried food heaven, and it’s glorious. Continue reading “Leek, Potato, and Feta Pancakes and a Fried Food Blog Hop”

Guest Post: Orecchiette with Leeks and a Leek Blog Hop

Orecchiette with Leeks and Ricotta and a Leek Blog Hop

Today I’m doing a guest post over at Shut Up and Cook: The Attainable Gourmet, and I hope you’ll stop by and check it out. Besides the recipe for orecchiette with leeks and ricotta (yes, it’s as good as it sounds and easy as can be!), Erina’s blog is just a joy to explore. I’ve known Erina since college, when she was one of the stars of the all female a cappella group, The Accents. After graduation she moved out West to Seattle, where she’s been ever since, making her mark on the city. Last time I was in town (it’s been a few years now…) we met up for happy hour wine and appetizers and had a blast. We’ve since become cross-continental pen pals, sharing scores of emails back and forth about food, blogging, and careers in food. Continue reading “Guest Post: Orecchiette with Leeks and a Leek Blog Hop”

Garlic Bread Buttermilk Biscuits

This month I left my Secret Recipe Club recipe until the very last minute – I made it yesterday. I don’t usually leave it to the end like that, but besides having a busy month, I also just couldn’t decide what to make. So many recipes on my assigned blog, Cookin’ Mimi, called out to me. Finally, though, I declared these garlic bread buttermilk biscuits the winner and set to work. These buttery, garlicky biscuits are made almost entirely with pantry staples (I only needed to pick up buttermilk) and are ready from start to finish in about 30 minutes. I totally agree with Mimi when she says that “Piping hot breads and rolls are one of my favorite parts of dinner time.” Besides, garlic bread is one of my husband’s all time favorite foods, so I knew he’d love this recipe.

Garlic Bread Buttermilk Biscuits

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Potato Leek Soup

Potato Leek SoupAs the weather starts to cool down (yes, even in the Middle East), it’s only appropriate that the theme for this month’s World on a Plate is soup. I love soup in all its comforting glory, and immediately began considering what variety I would make. It didn’t take me long to settle on potato leek soup. I know it’s not technically American (I represent the good ‘ol USA in this global community project), but it’s so ubiquitous in the United States today that I think we can safely say we’ve claimed it as our own, along with the Irish, British and French. Continue reading “Potato Leek Soup”

Homemade Peanut Butter Cups and a Halloween Blog Hop

Peanut Butter Cup ingredients

It’s hard to believe that it’s already the end of October. Living in a country that doesn’t celebrate Halloween, it’s easy to forget that it’s approaching without the sensory overload of decorations, costumes, scary music and candy. The leaves here aren’t changing color and it’s still a balmy 83F outside. But ever the consummate expat, I refuse to let go of the traditions of home and so got myself in the trick-or-treating spirit by doing something that’s been on my cooking bucket list for a while – I made peanut butter cups. That’s right. Today I’ve got a recipe for peanut butter cups for you. As in Reese’s peanut butter cups, but homemade.

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