Everyday Fare With Extraordinary Flair
This post has been a long time coming. It’s a bit of a break from my normal type of post, but I think you’ll find it interesting. Plus, it’s really close to my heart, so if you have time, I’d really appreciate it if you could take a few minutes to read it. Grab a drink and settle in. ;)…
Syrian or Lebanese?, Mike asked me late one evening, wondering what I was in the mood for. Syrian! A glimmer in my eyes, I replied instantly, already excited at the prospect. (Side Note: Something you might not know about Mike is that he was born here in Kuwait and left the country as a young child with his family to live in Syria – his mother’s homeland – after the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in the early 1990s. He still has several childhood friends here.) That night, Mike and I were going out to dinner with one of his friends that he had reconnected with […]...
Photo (taken by yours truly) of Mujaddara Burghul from my cookbook, An Edible Mosaic: Middle Eastern Fare with Extraordinary Flair. If you’re curious about Middle Eastern food and looking for a good recipe to start with, Mujaddara Burghul, otherwise known as Lentil & Bulgur Wheat Pilaf with Caramelized Onion, is the perfect dish. It’s very healthy with lentils and whole-grain bulgur wheat as its main ingredients. (Since it’s a vegetarian meal, it’s easy on the wallet too!) It couldn’t be simpler to make…if making rice intimidates you, know that bulgur is much more forgiving than rice. And with caramelized onion and the perfect blend of spices, it’s […]...
Photo (taken by yours truly) of Fried Eggplant with Garlic and Parsley Dressing from my cookbook, An Edible Mosaic: Middle Eastern Fare with Extraordinary Flair. Of all the recipes in my cookbook, this one has the most personal story attached to it. The first time I had this dish was in Zabadani, a rural area north of Damascus in Syria. My husband and I were staying with his family in their country home for a few days, and another family had come to visit. Of course a feast was in order....
The stunning view of Sednaya, as seen looking down from the top of a set of stairs leading to the rooftop of the Convent of Our Lady. It’s been a year since mine and Mike’s last trip to the Middle East. Since then time has flown by, but that’s no excuse – I can’t believe I haven’t shared my last set of photos from the trip with you until now! These photos are from a day trip we took to Sednaya and Maaloula in Syria while staying in Damascus; both Sednaya and Maaloula are breathtaking and very rich in lore....
Shawarma Made Mike’s Way (With Extra Garlic Mayo) On our trip to the Middle East last spring, Mike and I enjoyed a lot of good food. We stuffed ourselves on home-cooked meals like molokhia (slimy green soup), kibbeh, kousa mahshi (stuffed marrow squash or zucchini), and waraq al ainab (stuffed grape leaves), but we also had our fair share of fast food favorites like falafel, hummus, and of course, shawarma....
Can you spot the floating glass? :) I had the chance to organize a few more of my pictures from our Middle East vacation and I wanted to share some random food pictures with you. It truly is a feast for the eyes....
Crac des Chevaliers is medieval military castle that sits majestically on top of a 650 meter high hill in eastern Syria. When you climb to the top of the castle and look down at the surrounding landscape it literally feels like you’re in the clouds…and it completely takes your breath away....
Middle Eastern markets are amazing. Imagine yourself walking through ancient city streets lined with shops and open-air markets selling anything you can imagine, and the scent of jasmine and spices wafting through the air. You’re sipping metteh (an herbal tea) or maybe snacking on roasted nuts. You pass a couple of elderly gentlemen who are laughing while playing a game of cards and smoking a hookah, which smells beautifully of apple and licorice. You stop, look around, and inhale deeply, taking in as much as you can and trying to freeze this moment before it slips by. (Have I mentioned I love Middle Eastern markets? :) )...
I am in love with Damascus. And besides the fact that it’s steeped in history and culture (it’s the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world!), what I love most about Damascus is its people. Damascene natives are referred to as Shami and they are an amazing group. They are very talented craftspeople, taking an immense amount of pride not only in their craftsmanship, but in their culture and city as well....
I’m Faith Gorsky, the writer, cook, and photographer behind An Edible Mosaic. My goal is to inspire you to get in the kitchen and try something new! Feel free to email me with questions or comments.
an edible mosaic cookbook
