Category: Intermediate
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Makloubeh with Beef and Cauliflower
Makloubeh with beef and cauliflower is a very popular national Jordanian dish. The cauliflower is blanched, then lightly fried while the chunks of beef are cooked and all are then added to the rice. They are arranged in layers in the pan with the beef at the bottom, cauliflower and finally the rice. When the rice is…
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Chicken Mortadella
Chicken mortadella is a very popular buffet item at any Mediterranean gathering. The chicken is processed just like the shell of the “keufteh” and then seasoned with various spices, unsalted pistachios and cooked in red wine and apple cider vinegar. Slice into 1/4 inch pieces. The pistachios which can be seen in each slice adds…
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Zucchini Gratin
Zucchini gratin filled with seasoned ground beef, smothered with bechamel sauce and sprinkled with cheese is truly considered comfort food. Any zucchini variety would work. During the months of October and November there are so many varieties available at the farmers market. You can use any variety you like in the recipe. I tend to…
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Slow Cooked Lamb Shanks
If you like lamb then you’ll love this dish! Slow cooked lamb shanks are cooked till they fall off the bone. Kabsa is the key spice in this recipe which is a traditional Saudi spice used often in their cooking. It is basically a blend of spices including cardamon, cloves, cinnamon, black lime and black…
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Clarified Butter
Clarified butter as the name suggests is pure butter without the milk and any other impurities. It’s a bit time consuming and tedious, yet worth the effort. In many cultures clarified butter is used in their cooking, such as for pan frying and as a dipping sauce for shrimp and lobster. You can purchase them…
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Cranberry Beans With Meat Stew
Cranberry Beans with Meat Stew is a hearty meal rich in flavor and packed with vitamins. Cranberry beans have a very short season and are available during the summer season. If you visit a farmer’s market, you might see them a week or two and then they will be gone! You can make them with…
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Eggplants in Tomato Sauce and Garlic Yogurt Dressing
Eggplants in Tomato Sauce and Garlic Yogurt Dressing is incredibly light and a dish that’s fitting for any occasion. It goes great as a side dish for that Sunday roast, or as a buffet item for Lenten. The traditional method is to fry the eggplants and then smother the sauce over them. In this case,…
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Shepherd’s Pie Mediterranean Style
Shepherd’s Pie Mediterranean Style is very similar to the classic shepherds pie, but I think the way they vary is in the seasonings. The ingredients could be exactly the same, but the spices will make them differ in flavor. If you like creamy mashed potatoes and like casseroles, then you’ll love this. This is one…
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Liver Kebab
Liver kebab, I have to admit is an “acquired” taste. It’s a very popular food item at restaurants in all parts of the Mediterranean. Marinated with garlic and the spices, then grilled, you won’t believe it is liver you’re eating. The texture is soft and smooth just like beef tenderloin. Liver kebab is perfect for…
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Chicken Biryani
This chicken biryani recipe is a very old recipe passed down from my mom. It’s the type of dish that normally is made on special occasions in India with chicken or beef, because it does take a while to prepare. But, I have to confess that it’s rich in flavor. The best part about it…