Nutrient-Packed Quinoa Mjaddara

Nutrient-Packed Quinoa Mjaddara

This one is especially for all the nursing Mamas out there.

Swapping quinoa for rice or bulgur means you’re getting in magnesium, which helps your body absorb calcium, essential during breastfeeding. Quinoa is also an excellent source of fiber and protein. The Lentils in Mjaddara contain high levels of folate and are another great source of fiber. So… load up Nursing Mamas. This one should be added to your menu!

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Pearl Couscous {Maftool} Salad

Maftool Salad

It’s officially summer time! While it’s been hot in Amman since early May, the East Coast (USA) has been on a roller coaster of weather emotions with winter-weather temps just the day before Memorial Day.

Summer time means fresh fruits, ice cold drinks, light meals and all the salads. All. The. Salads. It’s month 7 of this pregnancy and for the most part, I’ve been on an ice-cold kick. All my fruits have to be refrigerated to icy cold perfection, water has to have ice in it, popsicles are always stocked in the freezer and fresh salads are my new go-to meal. (more…)

Cacio e Pepe: Roman Cheese and Pepper Pasta

Cacio e Pepe

Rrrroma! The only way to pronounce Rome, is to roll your R’s–obviously. I’ve been to Rome a handful of times, and each time is better than the last. I mean, it’s Italy people!! 

The last time I was in Rome, some friends and I went to a cute little cucina italiana that was all brick, and all rustic and all amazing. I didn’t know what I wanted to eat that night, but I wanted something really good. I asked the chef for recommendations and he said “Cacio o Pepe!” I had seen it on the menu. The english translation: Cheese and Pepper Pasta. I’ll be honest, the translation was not that exciting and while I was super hesitant… I went for it.   (more…)

Ice Cold Hibiscus Tea {Karkade}

Ice Cold Hibiscus Tea

It’s mid-September and still one thousand and one degrees here in Amman. I’m watching everyone at home make cozy fall recipes and I just can’t get myself to start. It’s really hard to get cozy when you’re still sweating up a storm. 

We’re staying extra hydrated and cool with Ice Cold Hibiscus Tea, also known as Karkade. Usually, I have Iced Hibiscus Tea at the Turkish Bath. Once you get out of the sauna and hot tub, they give you freezing cold Hibiscus Tea. 

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Whipped Feta Tomato Toasts

Whipped Feta Tomato Toasts

It’s unbelievably hot in Amman this week. They’re calling it a heat wave, and we’re hitting temperatures hotter than Aqaba (which by the way gets really hot in the summer). Central Air Conditioning isn’t a thing in most homes. It’s kind of like the heater thing. You only cool the room you’re in. In an ideal world, I would have central A/C and a swimming pool at home that I’d spend all day everyday floating on a pool raft and sipping ice cold Diet Coke while watching my dog play and swim.  (more…)