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Saad's Middle Eastern Food Blog

By Saad Fayed, About.com Guide to Middle Eastern Food

Pumpkin Hummus

Tuesday November 3, 2009

Pumpkin - it's one of those things you love or hate. My wife loves anything with pumpkin, so this time of year, she gets her fix with pumpkin spice coffee, pumpkin pie, pumpkin doughnuts - I could go on for days. I, however, do not really dig the whole pumpkin flavor too much. But, one thing I do love to make this time of year is pumpkin hummus. This dip has a unique flavor that rivals the meanest of hummus recipes. It is definitely one of my best loved Thanksgiving appetizers. Check out this pumpkin hummus recipe...

Speaking of Thanksgiving... what is on your Thanksgiving menu this year? Of course, I would assume the traditional roast turkey, maybe even duck, or even a turducken? In the Comments section below, I want to know what you will be serving to your friends and family this Thanksgiving holiday! Maybe we can drive some inspiration to add new dishes to our Thanksgiving table!

How About Pomegranate Stuffing for Your Thanksgiving Turkey?

Monday November 2, 2009

Pomegranate stuffing is a nice twist on a traditional favorite! Great for stuffing a turkey or to accompany any poultry dish. It's easy, fast, and really adds a nice flavor to the turkey.

I am a big fan of stuffing. There is just so much you can do with it. You can add things like dried fruit or delete ingredients from a recipe and it still tastes great! Recipe for pomegranate stuffing...

How do you like you stuffing? Let us know in the comments section below!

Photo (c) Mark Monciardini

Fantastic Feta Dip

Sunday October 25, 2009

There is nothing better than lounging on the couch, watching a favorite TV show or movie and eating a delicious snack. Not just any ordinary snack -  a snack that makes you savor every bite. For me, that would be feta cheese dip and hot pita bread. Feta really absorbs flavor of spices really well and is just plain good! Feta cheese dip is also very good with fresh vegetables, like celery and carrots.

How to Make White Rice

Saturday October 17, 2009
When my oldest son decided to cook dinner for his family and asked how to make white rice, I got a little worried. You see, he was also making leg of lamb. How was he supposed to make lamb when he didn't know how to make white rice? Luckily, rice is so easy to make, he became a real pro after making it one time. The lamb was a whole different story...

Pomegranates Galore!

Thursday October 15, 2009

Fall means pomegranate season - one of the reasons I love it so much! The pomegranate is such a versatile fruit. It is so much more than just about the seeds! From pomegranate juice to pomegranate jelly, the possibilities are endless!

If you are new the world of "poms", don't be intimidated by the fruit. Yes, it is a little different and needs more effort to eat than an orange, but it is well worth it.  Here are some great pomegranate tips for beginners:

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Confused About Cooking Oil?

Friday October 9, 2009

When I was at the supermarket last week, I saw a young woman standing in front of the cooking oils. She had a puzzled look that I see many times in this supermarket aisle. With my kitchen ESP-like talent, I knew she had no idea what kind of oil to buy. Of course, I helped and the damsel in distress walked away with a good quality olive oil, instead of the vegetable oil she thought she needed.

If you frequently cook in the kitchen then you are probably familiar with using oil. Oil is used as an ingredient and is also used for frying. One of the most common cooking oils is vegetable oil, but do you really know what that is? Do you know what oils are best used for frying or the proper way to store it? Here you will find different types of common cooking oils and the proper use of each of them.

Popular Middle Eastern Foods Photo Gallery

Monday October 5, 2009

Some foods are generally more popular than others. England is famous for fish and chips, Italy for it's pasta dishes, and the Middle East is famous for a few different dishes. Here you will find detailed photos of the most popular and widely recognized Middle eastern dishes and their recipes. Take me to the photo gallery!

Related:

Apple Couscous: Pair It With Poultry

Friday October 2, 2009

Looking for a healthy, new side dish to add to your family's table? Why not try apple couscous? It will add lots of flavor to roasted chicken or turkey! Apple couscous is easy and the kids will love it. It has been "Kid tested" many times in my kitchen and always gets the stamp of approval!

Couscous Recipes:

The Best Middle Eastern Breads

Wednesday September 30, 2009

NaanI 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 Easiest Ma'amoul Recipe Ever

Tuesday September 29, 2009

Ma'amoul is 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!

Ma'amoul is normally served during celebrations, but I sneak it in my home several times a year because they are just so good!

Photo courtesy of Los Alamos National Laboratory.

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