Creating new perspectives since 2009
Items by Maha Salah
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Fattet adas (lentil fatteh)
Every country has dishes that signal the approach of a new season, and when it comes to the Arab world, lentil soup is definitely at the top of the list of dishes that usher in winter. It is officially winter in our house when lentil soup shows up on the…
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Mutabbal
One of the things I most look forward to when it comes to summer are the barbecues. I am a fan of fire-roasted anything and the smoky flavour this gives food. So, when I am craving smokiness in the winter, I pop some aubergines on my stove top and make…
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Pita bread
There are always those recipes that give you a special sense of achievement when you make them, and I feel that bread is one of them. There is something about homemade bread that is universally seen as “making it” in the kitchen across all cultures. Some breads may be difficult,…
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Shakshuka: Gaza perseveres under siege & war
9 of 10 people in Gaza today cannot eat every day and have to skip meals for extended periods of time, according to the UN. In October, Israel declared a total blockade on Gaza as Israeli forces began a full-scale war on the Palestinian territory. Amidst this turmoil, Gaza’s local cuisine has…
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Yayla corabsi (yoghurt soup)
As soon as I feel a chill in the air, I immediately begin to crave soup, and today’s recipe is yoghurt-based, which is one of my favourite flavours in soups and stews. There is something about the creamy tanginess of the yoghurt and the earthiness of mint that makes this…
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Bambalouni
I am ending my breakfast series on a sweet note with a popular Tunisian street food eaten for breakfast known as Bambalouni. The name for this delicious, sweet treat comes from an Italian word for donut, Bomboloni. Let’s face it, everybody loves fried dough, it is a universal love language!…
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Bagela bil Dihin
Continuing with our breakfast series, we have another delicious offering from Iraq today: Bagela bil Dihin, which translates literally to “beans in fat”. This definitely sounded intimidating to me, especially because I am not usually a fan of fatty breakfasts or ghee, but I was pleasantly surprised by how delicious…
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Muqalqal
I am back with another dish as part of my breakfast series and today’s offering comes from Yemen, a cuisine which is really underrated and is one of my absolute favourites. It has such a variety of ingredients and amazing flavour combinations that it always keeps my tastebuds excited. Today’s…
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Hnaina (eggs and dates)
When people think of breakfast, eggs are usually one of the first things that come to mind. They are super popular, with every culture making them their own way, adding ingredients that are popular in their cuisine; from cheese, to bacon, potatoes, tomatoes and much more. Today’s recipe, Hnaina, includes…
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Menemen
As part of my breakfast series, we are travelling to Turkiye for a well-known egg dish served at most restaurants, known as menemen. This delicious dish consists of scrambled eggs with tomatoes, peppers and onions and is said to have originated in the Turkish town Menemen located in Izmir. One…
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Fattet hummus
With everyone home during the summer vacation, I always find that we make more of an effort to make breakfast special and what better way than to try some great Middle Eastern dishes? This is what inspired my breakfast series, 6 videos with 6 dishes, to give you a taste…
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Harissa Shamia
We all know the Middle East loves their desserts, and many of them are semolina based. I am always so amazed at how many ways we’ve managed to use semolina and how grinding it to different degrees gives you such a variety of textures and dishes. I have made several…
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Sanuna jambari
Seafood is definitely a polarising food, you either love it or hate it. I personally love it and am always looking for new seafood recipes. The best part about seafood is that it cooks really quickly, making it the perfect mid-week protein, and just a few ingredients make something absolutely…
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Masoub
I generally like moving from one country to another. I enjoy the exposure to different cultures, meeting new people and my favourite part has to be trying new foods! However, I definitely crave the foods I leave behind and one of the foods I found difficult to find is masoub,…
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Dakwa Salad
I’m pretty sure I am not alone when I say that Sudanese food has definitely been slept on. This rich and unique cuisine has so many amazing dishes and distinctive flavour combinations, influenced by various other cuisines, but always adding its own special touch. I am so excited to share…
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Farmoza
Street food is arguably the best food in every country. It is a way to experience the culture like a local and it is one of my favourite ways to discover any country I visit. When I first moved to Saudi Arabia, I was keen on trying all of the…
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Libyan magrood
Most Middle Eastern countries have some sort of date cookie on holidays such as Eid, Christmas and Easter. I am always so impressed by the many variations of dates and dough we’ve managed to come up with, each with its own distinct flavour, texture and shape. I am always on…
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Hala qahwa (coffee dessert)
I have mentioned before that I’ve lived in several countries throughout my life and this has definitely influenced me in so many ways, not the least of which is the food I enjoy. I carry recipes and food traditions with me from everywhere I’ve lived and today’s recipe is something…
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Date and lamb tagine
I absolutely adore Moroccan cuisine. It has such wonderful flavours that are so deep and complex. One of my favourite Moroccan dishes is lamb tagine with prunes and that was the inspiration for today’s dish. Instead of prunes, I used dates and the flavours work so well together. The meaty…
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Middle Eastern inspired date salad
When it comes to Ramadan foods, the first thing we think of is dates. These little sweet gems are the most traditional food that grace our Ramadan tables every year. There are a few foods that are delicious year-round but become an everyday food during the month of fasting, like…
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Kashke bademjan
I am always a sucker for a good dip, and when it has aubergines, it is even more appealing. Aubergines are one of the vegetables that people either love or hate, and if you love it, there are so many ways you can have it, fried, roasted and stuffed are…
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Makarona bechamel
Growing up in the US, one of the most popular comfort foods, especially as a child, was mac and cheese, however, chances are, if you grew up in a Middle Eastern family, your mum made makarona, which was usually some version of a pasta bake. Every family had their own…
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Salata mashwiya
Although the summer has come to an end and the weather is cooling down, I still haven’t stopped craving barbecued meats and the amazing sides that always accompany them. There is nothing like a perfect salad to brighten up your meal, and if you’re like me and crave the smokiness…
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Mfaraket baid o batata (egg and potato salad)
Growing up in the US, potato salad has always been a staple side dish at most barbecues, and I absolutely loved the creaminess of the mayo and potatoes with the sharpness of the mustard. I felt like it balanced the smoky grilled meat, but was always happy to have an…