Grits & Groats the Arabian way (Jareesh)

Grits or groats cooked with chicken is an old famous traditional dish made back home in the Arabian gulf (GCC countries).
Its a hearty meal and for its smooth texture you can give it to your baby when he's 8 months old or older. But exclude the spices :p

Ingredients:

1. Cup of grits ( soaked in water at least 1 hour)
2. 3 cups chicken stock (homemade preferably)
3. 1 cooked chicken breast
4. 1/4 cup milk
5. 1 table.s cream cheese and butter
6. 1 1/4 tea.s salt
7. fine chopped onions and diced tomatoes
8. A pinch of black pepper,curry powder and cumin to taste.

Method:

1. Boil the grits in the chicken stock in a pressure cooker for 20 minutes. Keep it on high until it  starts to whistle then lower the heat to medium low.

2. Saute the onions in butter until brown then add the spices.

3.after the grits are cooked open the cooker carefully and set it on low heat with frequnt stirring.

4. Add the salt and cooked chicken along with half the amount of the browned onions.

5.stir and add the milk,cheese and butter and let it cook without the lid for 15 minutes.then blend it with the immersion blender.

6.add the tomatoes to the remaining onions and cook until its melted.

7. Serve the Jareesh topped with onion tomato mixture..Enjoy..

#If the grits is too runny you can add a table.s or two of rice flour and you can adjust the salt to your taste.

Oatmeal Cookies

Ingredients:

1. 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2. 2 cups oatmeal
3. 1 cup brown sugar
4. 1/2 cup white sugar ( or 1 cup sugar if chocolate chip is excluded )
5. 3/4 cup butter room temperature
6. 1/2 cup semi sweet or sweetened chocolate chips(optional)
7. 2 eggs
8. 1 tea.s vanilla extract
9. 1 1/2 tea.s baking powder
10. 1 table.s ground cinnamon
11. 1/4 of dried pomegranate or craisins or raisins (optional )

Method:

1. pre heat the oven on 380 F
2. whisk the eggs then add vanilla and sugar and whisk
3. add butter and cinnamon and mix
4. add the rest of the ingredients and mix
5. for big cookies you can scoop with an ice cream scoop or just use a regular spoon and place them on a baking sheet sprayed with some oil or butter or use parchment paper.
6. bake for 10-13 minutes or until done..let it cool...Enjoy...

Baked Potato Boats

These potato boats can be stuffed with anything you like. Great as an appetizer or main course.

Ingredients: 

1. baked potatoes (recipe follows)\
2. Whole kernel corn\
3. Chopped onions and red bell pepper
 4. Cream cheese and mozzarella cheese
 5. Boiled chicken breast (optional)
 6. Salt,black pepper and cumin to taste
 7. Dried parsley for garnish

Method:

 1. pre heat the oven on 400F
 2. Wash the potatoes and cut in half, drizzle with olive oil and season with little salt,paprika and oregano
 3. Wrap it with aluminum foil individually and bake until done, 30 - 40 minutes. Then cool
 4. Meanwhile saute the onions then add the peppers and chicken and cook for few minutes then add the desired or mentioned spices and mix and last add a table.s or two of cream cheese and mix together and turn off heat.
5. Carve in the potatoes but be careful don't be so close to the edge and not to deep.
6. Mix some of the potato mash carved out with the chicken and veggie mixture then fill in the potatoes.
7. Sprinkle with shredded mozzarella and dried parsley. Broil for few minutes to melt the cheese and serve. Enjoy..

Tangy Orange Cupcakes

Full of flavor and believe or not it has turmeric!

ingredients:

1. 3 eggs
2. 1 1/2 cups of all propose flour
3. 1 1/2 cups sugar
4. 8 table.s softend butter
5. 2 tea.s baking powder
6. 1/2 tea.s vanilla extract
7. 1 whole orange zest
8. 1 orange juice
9. 1/4 tea.s turmeric

#Frosting (optional ) : 1/2 cream cheese block,1/4 cup or less sweet condensed milk,1 tea.s confectioners sugar, 1 tea.s milk,orange zest.

Method:

1. Pre heat the oven on 350 F
2. Whisk the eggs first with the vanilla extract
3. Add sugar and mix
4. Add butter with orange zest and mix
5. Add flour,turmeric,baking powder and orange juice and mix well
6. Scoop with an ice cream scoop into cup cake pan and bake on 355 F For 20 minutes
7. When ready let it cool before frosting.
8. Mix the frosting ingredients and add more milk gradually if its too thick and frost the cup cakes and top with orange zest.keep cold and Enjoy..

Chicken Kung Pao

Its a sweet and chilli taste from China.

Ingredients( 2 servings) :

1. 1 chicken breast
2. 1 small onion or half an onion chopped
3. Thinly sliced red or orange bell pepper
4. 1/4 cup sweet & chili sauce
5. 1 cup chicken stock
6. 1/2 tea.s celery salt
7. A pinch of paprika,ginger powder and black pepp
8.1/4 cup browned cashews

#Chicken seasoning: 1/2 tea.s salt and white vinegar,1 table.s soy sauce,1 tea.s oil and corn starch, pinch of ginger and garlic powder.

Method:

1. Slice the chicken breast longitudinally
2. Coat the chicken with the seasoning mentioned and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes
3. Saut the onions then add the chicken and let it cook for few minute
 4.add the peppers along with the remaining spices
5.add the chicken stock and that will deglaze the pan and let it simmer until the chicken is fully cooked
6.add the cashews and the sweet and chili sauce and stir let it on low heat until it reaches the desired thickness.
7. Serve with rice..Enjoy..

Tip of the day #6

The Art of Frying..

Over the years I learned how to fry perfectly.
.              
1. If your not deep frying then dont over put the amount of oil.

2. Only flip once!! You will know by experience how long each side of whatever your cooking takes time to cook before flipping it on the other side.

3. You can check if it's done by slightly lifting it. because too many flipings will cause your food to absorb more oil!

4.always heat your oil first before frying on medium heat. Dont go high or else the oil will burn!

5.Check the sizzling effect!!when your potatoes or chicken touch the oil and you hear the sound shhhhhh then its time to fry. Don't place your food in cold oil.

6. Don't crowd the pan! you think your saving time but your ain't believe me.                      

Cold Macaroni Salad

Ingredients:

1. 4cups macaroni (any shape desired)
2. 1 chopped green bell pepper
3. 2 diced tomatoes
4. 3 Shredded carrots
5. 1 can of whole kernel corn
6. 1/4 cup dried pomegranate
7. 2cups spinach
8. 1 can of tuna (optional)

#Dressing: 2 table.s cream cheese,1 table.s mayonnaise,1/3cup diced cheddar chees(optional) and shredded parmesan cheese,pinch of low sodium salt (optional),1 tea.s black pepper and papprika,1 table.s olive oil,pinch of sugar.

Method:

1. Boil the macaroni in water with some salt
2. Mix all vegetables
3. Drain the macaroni when its done and let it cool a bit before adding it to the vegetables
4. Mix together then add the dressing ingredients on top and mix well in a big bowl
5.garnish with hot chilli powder and olives.serve cold..Enjoy..

A Different KABSA

Kabsa is a famous rice dish in the Arabian Gulf. It can be made with meat,chicken or even fish and shrimp. But what I'm presenting here is a different way of making KABSA which I'm positive that you will love.

Ingredients:(2-3 servings)

1.half a chicken
2. 2cups rice (soaked 15 minutes)
3. Chopped onion
4. 2 minced garlic cloves
5. 2 diced tomatoes
6. thinly sliced green bell pepper
7.2 table.s tomato paste
8. 1 jalapeno pepper
9. 3 shredded carrots
10. Browned cashews and raisins
#Spices needed: 1 short cinnamon stick,5 cloves,4 cardamom seeds,1 bay leaf ,1/2 tea.s of cardamom powder,red chilli powder ,turmeric powder and cinnamon powder,1 tea.s curry powder,a dash of salt and a pinch of sugar (optional)
#Remember: 1 cup of rice = 1 1/4 tea.s salt

Method:

1. put the chicken in a pressure cooker with water,a dash of salt and the following spices:
Cinnamon stick,cardamom seeds,cloves,bay leaf. And leave it on medium to high heat for 20 minutes or until its done.#keep the chicken stock.

2. In a big pot saute the onions until brown then add the bell pepper

3. Add the carrots and then the minced garlic

4. Add the tomatoes and a dash of salt. Cook until it nearly melts.

5. add cooked chicken plus the tomato paste with the remaining spices mentioned above and nuts

6.cook on low heat for 10 minutes

7.Boil the rice with salt in the chicken stock for 2-3 minutes and drain.pour the rice on the chicken mix and fold gently until the rice is fully colored and cover on low heat for 15-20 minutes..Enjoy..

Greek Pizza

Ingredients :

1. 2cup all purpose flour
2. 1/3 cup oil
3. 1 1/2 table.s active yeast
4. 2 table.s sugar
5. 1/2 tea.s baking powder and salt
6. warm water

#Topping: onions, tomatoes , spinach, mushroom,pizza sauce ,mozzarella cheese and feta cheese

Method : 

1. mix the dry ingredients first
2. add the oil and mix until the flour is coated with oil and crumbles
3. add 1/2 cup of warm water and kned then add water gradually auntil the dough is elastic
4.cover and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour at least
5. pre heat the oven on 360F
6. when the dough doubles in size its ready to knead.
7. knead into a big circle shape or you can cut small circles and place it in the cup cake pan and you will have mini cup pizza (oil and dust your pan with flour first)
8. spread pizza sauce and mozzarella cheese then add sliced and diced veggies. Top with feta cheese
9. bake on 360F for 25-30 minutes..ENJOY..

The Eygptian way *Keshry*

It is a famous Egyptian dish containing  rice,macaroni , black lentils,vermicelli and topped with caramelized onions and a tomato sauce.

Ingredients (4servings):

 
1. 1 1/2 cup rice ( soaked in water for 15 minutes at least )
2. 1 cup elbow macaroni
3. 1/4 cup black lentils
4. 1/2 cup vermicelli
5. 1 onion for garnish
6. 2 cups chicken stock (optional)
7. 1 1/2 table.s tomato paste

#Tomato sauce: chopped onion around 1/4 cup,1 garlic clove,4 tomatoes diced and 1/4 cup or less tomato sauce,salt and cumin to taste.

Method:

1. saute the onions until caramelized with a pinch of salt and cumin for taste and set a side
2. boil the lentils until done and keep the water (optional ) 
3. boil the macaroni with a dash of salt and some cloves and a bay leaf  until its done and drain
4. brown the vermicelli
5. In a pot boil the chicken stock with some water(and the remaining lentil water) and tomato paste, then add the rice with the vermicelli plus salt
# remember 1cup of rice = 1 1/4 tea.s salt do the math ;p.. let it boil 2-3 minutes then drain and fold in gently the macaroni and lentils. Cover on low heat for around 15 minutes.


for the tomato sauce:


1. saute chopped onion then add smashed garlic
2. add diced tomatoes and let it cook until its melted then add a pinch of salt and cumin and drops of vinegar(optional)
3.add ready tomato sauce with little water and stir.
4. with a hand blender, blend until smooth and let it cook to reach desired thickness

SERVE THE KESHRY TOPPED WITH TOMATO SAUCE AND CARAMELIZED ONIONS AND ENJOY EACH BITE OF IT...

Green Caesar Salad

2Ingredients: (2-3 servings)

1.romaine lettuce
2.spinach and Italian parsley
4. Parmesan and feta cheese
5.pine nuts

Dressing:

1. 2table.s olive oil
2. 1table.s lemon juice
3. 1 tea.s mustard and mayonnaise
4.some drops of white vinegar and a pinch of salt and black pepper

Tip of the day #5

How about eating rice filled with aroma instead of that old boring taste..
I suggest adding these spices when the rice is boiling in water (mix and match) :
Bay leaves,cloves,cardamom seeds,Fennel seeds,black lemon,cinnamon sticks.
Add a touch of turmeric for color.

 If you want to go the extra mile saute some onions and tomatoes in the pot your going to cook the rice in,then take it out and boil your rice with the chosen spices for 2-3 minutes then drain and fold in gently the onions and tomatoes and a touch of turmeric on top. Cover for 15 minutes on slow heat..Enjoy..

 # For 1cup of rice I add 1 1/4 tea.s salt. 

It's FALAFEL!!

Oh yeah Falafel can be easily made at home.

Ingredients:(makes 40 falafel approximately)

1. 5cups chick peas (soaked the night before )
2. 1/2 onion & 2garlic cloves
3. 1 bunch of parsley and 1/2 bunch of cilantro (optional cilantro )
4. 2 table.s flour
5. 1 tea.s baking powder,salt and cumin
6. sesame seeds (optional)

Method:

1. wash the soaked chick peas and drain from water
2. blend till most of the peas are crushed then add chopped onion and garlic
3. add the parsley and cilantro and spices and baking powder
4. when the texture is smooth add the flour and knead with hands
5. form small balls then press gently to form somehow a disk shape
6. coat with sesame seeds 
7. deep fry on low to medium heat until its done ( 3mints approximately)..
8. serve with pita bread and hummus or tahini with lemon. Enjoy...

# You can fry the amount desired and freeze the rest for later use. Or you can fry the whole batch and then freeze it.

Beehive Treat

It is a savory sweet treat filled with cream cheese and topped with honey..

Ingredients :

1. 4 cups all purpose flour
2. 5 table.s sugar
3. 1/4 cup milk
4. 1 1/2 table.s active yeast
5. 1/2 cup oil
6. 1/4 tea.s salt
7. Philadelphia cream cheese and warm water

Method:

1. Mix all dry ingredients together
2. add oil and mix till all flour is coated with oil and crumbles
3. add 1 cup of warm water and knead then add water gradually till you have an elastic dough.
4. knead for about 3minutes then cover and let it rise at least one hour
5. pre heat the oven on 350F
6.when the dough doubles in size form small balls and fill with desired amount of cream cheese.
7. place in a greased Pyrex or a greased non stick pizza pan ( round preferably )
8. brush it with milk and sprinkle sesame seeds on top (optional )
9. place in the oven 360F for 20-25 minutes
10. when its done and hot drizzle with honey
11. serve warm or room temperature..ENJOY..

 

Grilled Salad dipping

This yummy healthy side can be used as a dipping sauce or as a side with grilled food or anything really :-)
I inspired it from my Tunisian friends..

Ingredients :

1. 1 onion
2. 1 green bell pepper
3. 1 jalapeno pepper
4. 2 tomatoes
5. 1/2 an eggplant
6. spices ( salt,black pepper,cumin,lemon jucie,olive oil ) add to taste

Method :

1. preheat the oven on 400F
2. dice all the vegetable into chunks
3. drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and black pepper
4. place in the oven for 30-40 mints then broil till golden brown
5. remove from the oven and let it cool
6. add cumin,lemon juice,olive oil to taste and adjust the salt if needed.
7. blend till smooth and ENJOY...

Eggplant rolls

Ingredients: (4 servings)

1. 1cup ground beef
2. Chopped onion
3. Parsley
4. Diced Tomato
5. 2 garlic cloves,minced
6. 1/4 tea.s of salt,black pepper,cumin,salary salt,oregano
7. Eggplant
8. feta and mozzarella cheese

# sauce : 1/4 cup pizza sauce,1/2 cup water,1 table.s sour cream.

Method:

1. Slice the eggplant and fry it in olive oil (dont deep fry)
2. Season it with salt,pepper and oregano
3. sautee chopped onion then add ground beef and  minced garlic.
4.when its half done add diced tomato and chopped parsley
5.add spices
6. When it's done, lay down each slice of eggplant and fill it and carefully roll it.
7. Place it in a Pyrex and pour on it the sauce mixture
8. Garnish with cheese and place it in a preheated oven on 450F for 10 minutes.
9. Serve hot..Enjoy..

Tip of the day #4

Before slicing the pineapple place it in the fridge up side down for 30 minutes. This way the juice will run throw the whole body of the pineapple and all the slices will be yummy and juicy not only the bottom ones.

Enjoy..

Tip of the day #3

The food always tastes better if it is marinated over night.
Specially if your marinating for a BBQ the next day.

Your meat or chicken will be jucier and even cooks faster on the grill!!

I 80% use yogurt and lemon in marinitation.
If you want a Shwarma flavour add Tahini.

Try this delicious recipe: (coconut milk chicken)

1 chicken breast cubed
1/2 tea.s of (salt,cumin,curry,garlic powder,ginger powder)
1/4 tea.s of ( black pepper,paprika,hot chilli powder)
1 tea.s of sugar and white vingar
1table.s olive oil
1/2 cup coconut milk

# you can double this recipe #

Enjoy..