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…)
feta
Spinach and Feta Puff Pastry Slab Pie
I can’t believe we’re coming up on the end of 2018. How is it December already?! While I figure out how to get everything I need to get accomplished by the end of the year, let me tell you a little bit about one of my favorite ingredients; Puff Pastry.
You can find frozen Puff Pastry in the freezer section of your grocery store, and it is an absolute godsend. Puff Pastry is a buttery flaky dough used for savory appetizers and desserts alike. When you bake puff pastry it rises, because of the water used to make the pastry sheets. The water, mixed with heat makes the dough puff up. Frozen puff pastry comes in sheets [usually two in a box], which requires defrosting. The best way to defrost is overnight in the fridge. However, as we all know, I’m very impatient, so I defrost my puff pastry at room temperature, and slowly open up the folded sheets as they defrost, making sure not to break them.
(more…)Samboosa [Meat and Cheese Filled Pastries]
Ramadan Kareem!
Yesterday marked the first day of the holy month of Ramadan – where billions of people around the world refrain from food and drink from sunrise until sunset for 29-30 days based on the lunar calendar. It is a time to reflect on your life, reconnect with god and be thankful for everything you have, most notably a kitchen full of food (which those less fortunate do not have the luxury of having). (more…)
Shakshouka [Eggs Poached in Tomato Sauce]
Shakshouka originated in North Africa. For those more geographically-impaired, that would mean the countries of Tunisia, Libya, Algeria and Morocco. It’s also become popular in Yemen and Saudi Arabia, with restaurants in those parts popping up solely to serving up the dish. Shakshouka means “a mixture.” And that’s exactly what this dish is, it’s a delicious mix of tomatoes, peppers, eggs and cheese. (more…)