Check out this "How to Make Tahini Sauce" Video!

Tahini sauce is used for a dressing on pita sandwiches, as a dip, and for marinades. It is made from tahini , a sesame seed paste, garlic, olive oil, and lemon juice. It is easy to make and the flavor gets better the longer it is stored. Once prepared, store in an air tight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. I always make extra and have it on hand.

Don't feel like watching the video? Here is an excellent tahini sauce recipe!

_{Photo (c) Odelia Cohen}

I am a self-admitted carb fanatic. Not that i count them or avoid them obsessively - I eat them! Whether it be with a salad like fattoush, or as a sandwich in a falafel pita sandwich, bread is very important part of the Middle eastern food culture.

Pita bread is probably the most common type of Middle eastern bread. Also called flatbread or khubz, pita can be used a variety of ways!

Naan is a flatbread found in Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India and other surrounding countries. Naan is served for dipping or stuffed with a variety of meats and vegetables. Toppings can also be placed in top of the bread.

Lavash is a bread commonly used for wraps. it is thin and soft and found found most commonly in Iran and Turkey. Lavash can be found in specialty delis and Middle Eastern grocers.

_{Photo (C)Kristen Johansen}

The holidays are officially here and that means cookies, candies, and other sweets! I have to admit that this is my favorite time of the year to spend in the kitchen. The possibilities are endless!

One of my favorite types of patry to make is ma'amoul , a cookie like, nut filled pastry. It can be filled with a variety of nuts, but is best made with walnuts, pistachios, or almonds. This recipe is not only easy, but delicious!

This time of year also means I will be whipping up a batch of turkish delight, which you may remember from the film, The Chronicles of Narnia. Many people compare turkish delight to the inside of a jelly bean. You will find this recipe to be a bit long, but most authentic!

No holiday season would be the same without baklava! Baklava takes a lot of time to make. It's sticky and gooey. You will get messy - thats a given. But it is worth it. Baklava is such a dessert of passion. The passion it takes to make it, enjoying the sweet taste with each bite, makes it a dessert that is one of a kind.

One of the most common questions I get this time of year is where to find halal turkeys. Halal turkeys are turkeys that have been slaughtered in a manner that abides by Islamic dietary law. They are no different than the turkeys you purchase in your supermarket, except for how they are slaughtered. Many people, including those who are not Muslim, agree that the way the turkeys are killed is more humane than how other turkeys are killed.

You can get them fresh from a halal butcher, but they are few and far between in the United States. However, many grocers like Giant Food, sell frozen and fresh halal turkeys in their chains in some area markets, like northern Virginia. Where else can you find a halal turkey?