Levantine Salad with Meyer Lemon & Tahini Citronette

I promised you a salad dressing recipe using my super simple tahini, and not only have I delivered, I threw in a salad to go right along with it because I'm a nice person who cares.

A Middle Eastern Staple: Tahini

If you're a fan of Middle Eastern food, then you've probably heard of tahini.  Maybe you've even gone out and bought a can of the stuff with Jasmine's dad from Aladdin on the front.  Because halva, baba ghanoush, and hummus all rely on this paste made from sesame seeds, maybe you thought you couldn't make your favorite Middle Eastern dishes without shelling out 9 or 10 bucks for the Sultan's brand, but the truth is, tahini is something that takes very little effort and ability to concoct at home. 

Walnut Parsley Marinated Lamb Chops with Pomegranate Gastrique

Valentine's Day is coming up and while I showed you a simple way to surprise someone special, maybe you're looking to put forth a little more effort come dinner.  A rack of lamb, perhaps?  While that makes for the perfect romantic meal, it can also break the bank.   Oh, but did you know there's a way to indulge in all the luxury and richness lamb has to offer that's actually healthier and a quarter of the price?  Any guesses?

Is It a Stew or a Pot? It's Both: Chicken Tajine

Spicy Chicken Tajine w/ Apricots & Walnuts

You know that harissa I had you make way back when on Tuesday?  Well, it'll come in handy if my take on a chicken tajine happens to tickle your fancy.

Spicy Harissa at Home

Originally hailing from North Africa, harissa is a fiery hot sauce as ever-present in the Maghreb as ketchup is on American tables.  That being said, any further comparisons to ketchup (other than noting that they're both condiments) are almost outright offensive.  

Varying not just from country to country, but one ethnic group to another, a sojourner in the region would encounter many different styles of the famed hot sauce.  However, mainstays at the harissa party include hot red chiles, coriander, and olive oil.  Easy enough, right?  So, why don't you give it a try?

Falafel - Try It Sober for Once

A lot of young people's relationships with falafel are akin to that of smoking: they only do it when drunk.  How sad.

Why should one enjoy falafel only when obliterated?  Or worse yet, why should this nutritious delicacy receive the same treatment as a known carcinogenic consuetude?

The answer is: they shouldn't. While everyone has their favorite vendor after they've had a couple too many, homemade falafel can far exceed the quality and freshness of stale precooked patties one encounters all too often.  Additionally, they're easy to make and cheap!