Arabic and Middle Eastern Archives

Romantic Persian Love Cake Recipe with a Story

February 8, 2023 by Faith Leave a Comment

Persian Love Cake is a moist, aromatic cake flavored with rose water, orange flower water, nutmeg, and cardamom. It strikes the perfect balance between a tender, soft crumb and a rustic texture thanks to nutty almond flour and semolina flour. To really make it a work of art, this cake is topped with a scented glaze and decorated with rose petals and chopped pistachios.

overhead view of spread of persian love cake with slice on plate and pistachio and rose petal decoration

I have a confession. Until I lived in the Middle East, I always thought that beautiful floral scents like rose and lavender were better suited for soap than for food.

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Authentic Ras el Hanout Recipe (Moroccan Spice Mix)

October 14, 2022 by Faith 23 Comments

Ras el Hanout, a North African Spice mix, is a pungent, earthy spice blend with a balance of sweet and bitter elements, as well as floral notes. Its name translates from Arabic as “head of the shop” because all the best spices go into it!...

Adana Kebab Recipe (Restaurant Quality Turkish Kebabs with Ground Lamb) – For People Who Think They Don’t Like Lamb

September 19, 2022 by Faith Leave a Comment

Adana Kebab, a popular Turkish dish, is comprised of seasoned ground lamb that’s skewered and grilled over charcoal. It’s richly spiced, flavorful, juicy, and easier to make at home than you might think!...

Authentic Ful Medames Recipe (Egyptian Fava Beans)

August 27, 2021 by Faith 26 Comments

Foul Mudammas or Ful Medames (Egyptian Fava Beans) is a creamy, rich, and hearty recipe that’s brightened with a generous drizzle of peppery olive oil, fresh vegetables, and herbs. It’s a traditional breakfast dish in Egypt and the Levant area of the Middle East, and it’s typically served as part of a spread along with fresh vegetables and flatbread....

Simple Borani Banjan Recipe (Afghan Eggplant with Garlic Yogurt Sauce) {video}

August 9, 2021 by Faith 1 Comment

This Borani Banjan recipe (Afghan Eggplant with Garlic Yogurt Sauce) is a richly spiced stewed eggplant dish that’s served with tangy garlicky yogurt on top....

Easy Authentic Toum (Middle Eastern Garlic Sauce Recipe)

July 7, 2021 by Faith Leave a Comment

Toum (Middle Eastern Garlic Sauce Recipe) is the perfect balance between light and fluffy + rich and creamy with tons of garlic flavor! You can use it as a dip for vegetables, flatbread, or grilled chicken, or as a condiment for just about any sandwich....