No Added Sugar Watermelon Coconut Popsicles

categories: Desserts, Posts, Recipes

No Added Sugar Watermelon Coconut Popsicles

It’s been HOT. So hot. Unbelievably hot. Unbearably hot. I wouldn’t mind the heat if it wasn’t so humid too. That’s what I get for making Northern VA home. I shouldn’t be complaining though, it didn’t start warming up around here until mid-June. Then, inexplicably, we went from 60 F to 95 F seemingly overnight. Also, I shouldn’t be shocked. It is what it is, I guess. I’ll be complaining about the heat and humidity every year, every time we hit a heat wave. You can count on it.

The only thing we can do to beat the heat is stay indoors, where it’s nice and air-conditioned and snack on some No Added Sugar (as long as you don’t add the ganache) Watermelon Coconut Popsicles. (more…)

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Toasted Pita Nachos

categories: Appetizers, Posts, Recipes

Toasted Pita Nachos

It’s summer time, and quick, easy to throw together meals are the name of the game. Honestly, being a one-woman show means that most nights I just want to throw some popcorn on the stovetop and cozy up on the couch with a massive bowl of popped popcorn and an ice cold Diet Coke. I won’t tell you how many nights I’ve done that … there’s room for much judgment.

On the days when popcorn and Diet Coke just isn’t going to cut it, I crave easy-to-make snack-like dinners. I’m a snacker {could you tell when I mentioned popcorn for dinner?} I could live on Snack Boards. This is why I’m so in love with these toasted pita nachos. (more…)

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Secret Ingredient Date Walnut Bread

categories: Breads, Desserts, Posts, Recipes

 

Date Walnut Bread

Happy Eid! We made it through the month of Ramadan, and we can finally enjoy a steaming mug of coffee during daylight hours. I always take my morning coffee for granted until Ramadan rolls around and reminds me just how crucial that cup of coffee is for me and my ability to function most of the day. What did you miss most during Ramadan? Let me know in the comments. (more…)

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Spicy Lebanese Potatoes [Batata Harra]

categories: Posts, Recipes, Vegetables & Sides

Spicy Lebanese Potatoes

Food is a universal language. I’ve realized through my blogging journey that so many countries within close proximity have similar foods. Most notably, Mediterranean food has so many similarities. Take, for example grape leaves. Everyone seems to have a version of grape leaves (each by a different name) The Greeks, the Turks, and the Arabs each make their own version of stuffed grape leaves with rice and meat, or vegetables. Sometimes they’re served cold and other times hot. Despite language differences, we can agree that grape leaves, in whatever shape or form, are delicious. We don’t even need to speak the same language. Food is a universal language. (more…)

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Knafeh [Sweet Cheese and Shredded Phyllo Pastry] Cheesecake

categories: Desserts, Posts, Recipes


Knafeh Cheesecake

My favorite Middle Eastern dessert of all time is Knafeh. Knafeh is a traditional Palestinian dessert made with cheese, shredded dough, and soaked in a sweet syrup. The dessert traces its origins to the city of Nablus, where it is most famously made with Nabulsi cheese. (more…)

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Musakhan Rolls

categories: Chicken, Posts, Recipes

Musakhan Rolls

I know I’ve been quiet on the blog front over the last couple months. It seems like at least once a year, my life gets a little hectic and I let the blogging slip. That’s not to say I haven’t been active on social media. If you follow Measuring Cups Optional on Instagram, you’ll see I’ve actually been up to a whole lot! (If you aren’t, you’re missing out on some delicious stories and posts). Let me tell you what I’ve been up to … but first, these Musakhan Rolls! (more…)

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