Lamb

Meat and Rice Stuffed Grape Leaves

categories: Lamb, Posts, Recipes

Grape Leaves

Grape leaves. There are so many different types. Grape leaves can be served cold or hot; stuffed with meat, rice, and/or vegetables and are native in countries Greece to Iraq and every other country in between. Each of which has their own version of stuffed grape leaves. Some call them Dolma, and others Waraq Enab ورق عنب

My Tayta always made meat and rice stuffed grape leaves with tomato sauce served warm. It’s my favorite way. My mom, makes them the same. And today, I’m still using the handwritten transcribed recipe from my Tayta. I won’t deny, however, that if there are any leftovers, I eat them cold straight out of the fridge. I can’t be the only one who loves cold leftover grape leaves. (more…)

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Crockpot Lentil Lamb Stew

categories: Lamb, Posts, Recipes
Crockpot Lentil Lamb Stew

Turning up the cozy level here with Crockpot Lentil Lamb Stew and a side of couscous. Anyone else trying to hibernate this winter? I sure am. Something about not as many sun hours and cold weather makes me want to cozy up with my favorite blanket and Netflix. Netflix is a blessing and a curse. Why? For one, I love being able to watch shows without commercial interruptions. I’m also the type of person that loses interest in a show if I have to wait an entire week for the next episode. My dreams have come true because now I can watch entire seasons. Yes, I know, welcome to 2018. The negative? I usually watch entire seasons in one sitting. And without commercials, I don’t really do much else, other than binge on whatever latest and greatest series I’ve decided to commit to. I know I’m not the only one who gets the dreaded “Are you still watching?” notice on the screen. Yes, I’m still here, 4pm, in the same PJs I had on since last night snacking and watching. Thanks for the reminder that I’ve accomplished next to nothing today. (more…)

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Garlic Herb Lamb Skewers with Mint Yogurt Sauce

categories: Lamb, Posts, Recipes

I love lamb. I’ve seldom met an Arab who doesn’t like lamb. [I said seldom, so if you’re one of the few that are Arab and don’t like lamb, you may want to skip to another one of my lamb-less recipes]. Have you ever seen that scene in “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” when Ian, the fiancé, tells Aunt Voula he’s vegetarian. To which Aunt Voula thinks for a minute and exclaims “that’s okay, I make a Lamb!” Yea, that basically sums up the Arab-Lamb relationship. You eat it and you enjoy it, or you eat it and you don’t enjoy it. The common denominator here is that you eat the lamb no matter what.

I’ll spare you the story about the first time I met a whole raw lamb on our kitchen table … but you’re more than welcome to read about it. It was an experience I won’t forget. (more…)

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Bamiya [Okra Stew]

categories: Arabic Food Made Easy, Lamb, Posts, Recipes, Stews

bamiya_3

I always feel an immense sense of accomplishment when I make Arabic food and it tastes like my mom’s cooking. Likely because Arabic food only tastes good when my mom or tayta make it, in my personal opinion. So when I realized we had some fresh okra hanging out in the fridge, I decided to try a very well known Arabic dish; Bamiya. Bamiya is basically okra stew.

Don’t let the okra deter you. Most people don’t like it because it can get pretty slimy. But if you prepare the okra properly, I promise you a slime-free meal. (more…)

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Garlic Rosemary Lamb Chops

categories: Lamb, Posts, Recipes

Lamb Chops 2

Simplicity is so underrated.

When it comes to cooking, the less steps, the better. At least in my personal opinion. Roasted lamb chops sounds pretty complicated, but in fact, it isn’t. I’m telling you, your friends and family will be so impressed when you bring out this elegant-looking dish. They’ll have no idea that it was actually easier to whip up than some of your side dishes. (more…)

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