Manti: A Recipe of The Refugees Who Empowered Me

Manti is a landmark dish of Western Armenian Cuisine and is a dish that evoke waves and waves of memories of my time in Yerevan, Armenia. This authentic cuisine was brought back to life by waves of Syrian refugees of Armenian descent who fled to their motherland in the aftermath of the ravaging civil war in Syria. I was fortunate to cross paths with many of these skilled, brave, and tenacious people. Learn and listen more about this life-transforming experience in this post.

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Marak We Feteer: Southern Egyptian Meat Stew & Flatbread

This recipe is of ultimate sentimental value. I know my late father would have been enthused seeing this recipe on my blog. He was enamored with any dish that originates from where his roots are. God bless his soul. Marak (meat stew) and Feteer (flatbread) is an authentic recipe that originated in Southern Egypt. The […]

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The Art of Forging Bonds Through Culinary Diplomacy: Episode #031 of The Storied Recipe Podcast

Recently, Becky Hadid, the talented food photographer/blogger, and seasoned host of  The Storied Recipe Podcast reached out, asking me to share with her audience my journey with food and diplomacy.

It is the story that started in the cosmopolitan city of Alexandria, Egypt, and then in Cairo where I studied political science to lead after the most extraordinary life across five continents.

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Vegan & Low Calorie Za’atar Manakeesh (Flatbread Topped with Za’atar) مناقيش زعتر

Za’atar Manakeesh is a vegan Levantine stovetop bread topped with a fragrant spice mix consisting of oregano, thyme, marjoram, sumac, salt, and pepper. This rendition is made of whole wheat flour and speckled with bran. Za’atar that is known for its anti-oxidant properties makes this bread an excellent detox bread pulled together in no time for breakfast, mezzeh, or snacks.

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Lemon-Yogurt-Blueberry Cake: The Summer Harbinger

Yogurt-Lemon-Blueberry Cake is a summer cake that is pleasantly moist, zesty, fragrant, and studded with juicy blueberries. Its smooth texture and refreshing notes make it a perfect treat for dessert or tea time.

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Coffee-Cardamom Viennese: A Cookie to Brighten Your Day

NON-SPONSORED POST Have you ever tried cardamom coffee before? I hope you have. If not, I strongly recommend it. It is an incredible mood booster in the middle of bleak quarantine days. Personally, I wouldn’t have survived homeschooling without my morning cup of cardamom coffee. The smell alone of the finely ground coffee mixed with […]

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Belilah (Egyptian Quintessential Porridge) بليلة

Belilah is a portmanteau, a made-up word coined from a combination of the French words Blé Au Lait, which means wheat-milk. Most probably, the inception of authentic Egyptian porridge is traced back to the French colonialism that lasted in Egypt from 1798 to 1801. 

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