There are many versions of lamb tagine in Morocco but this one is my absolute favourite! Cooked slowly in a rich tomato sauce with dates and apricots it sounds like it would be too sticky and sweet but it isn’t at all and whilst the flavours are rich it isn’t a heavy dish either. I…
Tag: aliyas vibrant life
Buckwheat Pancakes with an Orange & Cinnamon Butter Sauce
The weekends always seem to involve pancakes of some kind and these Buckwheat crepe style pancakes are a family favourite. I have always preferred the French style, lacy and crisp-edged style pancakes to the more doughy bouncy ones we tend to find in SA and I enjoy them with savoury fillings (smoked salmon, avo &…
Seven Vegetable Couscous – Couscous Bidaoui
This is such a showstopping dish and although there are several parts to it, it is simple enough to make. The Tfaya topping is optional but recommended and the couscous itself can be made 10 minutes before serving. Please read the instructions thoroughly first here so you know the stages and process. There are no…
Muhammara – Syrian Red Pepper Dip
This flavoursome roasted red pepper dip originally from the Levant is enjoyed across the Middle East and is naturally vegan and a wonderful alternative to the usual hummus. It’s great as part of a mezze feast or addition to a BBQ or even as a starter with some warmed pitta or fatbreads. Everyone is always…
Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookies
Who doesn’t love a chocolate chip cookie? I have yet to meet the person who says they don’t, although I have to mention that I am a rather fussy contender myself. The ultimate choc chip cookie needs to be the perfect balance of chewy and crunchy and also a balance of sweet and savoury. Shop…
Pecan, Orange & Cranberry Muffins
It’s funny how we use words and don’t often think of where they originate from. The word “Muffin” is a point in case and I decided to look into the origins of it after typing it out and noticing its oddity for the first time. Although there is nothing conclusive I prefer the theory that…
Danish Apple Cake (Æblekage)
I don’t often cook food from my Danish heritage. Partly because my mother fell in love with the Middle East and my fathers culture and we were raised mostly with those exotic dishes and partly because I am not really a fan of pickled herring and mayonnaisey salads. Okay so maybe I am being a…
Flavourbomb Salad
I have been on the search for the perfect salad for a while – one that ticks all the boxes of texture and taste and is a veritable party in your mouth. Despite the fact we are going into winter I still enjoy a nice crunchy and crispy salad to accompany a stew or pie…
Kalam polo – Persian fragrant pilaf with cabbage & lamb
Kalam polo is a type of delicious Persian rice pilaf originating from Shiraz. Kalam means cabbage and polo is rice in Farsi hence the title “Kalam Polo” however it often contains meat of some kind. Like many Persian recipes there are many different versions of this dish which are all equally as tasty. Sometimes even…