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One of the most useful tools I have in the kitchen for roasting chicken and other small birds is this upright roasting rack that actually folds away for easy storage. Once you put the pieces together, you basically just...
Steaming is universally known as a healthy method of cooking because little fat, if any, is needed in the process. One of the oldest known methods of cooking, water vapor produced during steaming is even hotter than oven heat...
Sejouk (also known as sudjuk, sujuk, or merguez) is a spicy version of sausage that is common in Middle Eastern cuisine, stemming from places like Morocco, Algeria, Turkey, Bosnia, Albania and more.
They are not made from pork, but typically beef and...
If there's one ingredient that says "Moroccan cooking" it's preserved lemons. They're smaller than most lemons found in the U.S. and also sweeter. Traditionally preserved in salt and lemon juice, they are used in tagines, stews and other dishes...
Ostrich eggs might not even be on your radar as anything other than what you might see at a zoo, but kid you not they are available if you seek them out. I found these at Chicago's Green City...
To make a pot roast, you will need a boneless cut of beef that's commonly referred to as chuck roast, pot roast (top blade) or rump roast. Approximately 5 pounds will make a nice roast and serve 6-8 people...
Hen eggs, a.k.a. chicken eggs, are the most commonly consumed eggs in America, but not all eggs are the same. Depending on the type chickens and the way they are raised, quality can vary greatly. Â Choose free range eggs...
I was pleasantly surprised to find these dried hot peppers at Penzey's Spices in Cleveland near the famed West Side Market. I had never seen or heard of them before but was intrigued by their origin and the fact...
If there is any one pasta dish you should make this week, it's this one. Whether you're a Meatless Monday subscriber (or any day of the week you plan to go vegetarian) or a strict vegetarian, this dish is...
Salmon is one of the easiest types of fish to make on a regular basis. It's thick texture stays together nicely when cooking, so whether you're frying, grilling or baking it, it tends to stay together really well. This...
The flu is hitting a lot of people hard right now. On the local news here in Chicago, we've been told that area hospital emergency rooms are swamped with people being treated for the flu- heavy coughing and sneezing...
I'm really thrilled to bring you the next 'Eid ul Adha recipe from Christine (Amina) Benlafquih, a journalist, wife and mother living in Morocco since 2000 who writes everything you want to know about Moroccan food at About.com. She has so...
A day in the life of recipe testing goes a lot like this:
Creamy Pasta with Roasted VegetablesÂ
-shop for fresh ingredients and bring them home to sort out
-wash and dry fresh herbs and produce
-chop everything
-get out the camera, notebook and...
This Ramadan has been so much fun. I've had a great time soaking up all the great ideas for home décor, party ideas for kids, and meeting the creative women and men behind design inspiration that caters to the...
Have you ever tried argan oil? Â It is some really amazing stuff that is great for cooking as well as making yourself beautiful on a budget...not that you need any more beautifying, of course. Â In the past year I've...
Uzma Sharif is a Chicago-based chocolatier and owner of Chocolat Uzma, both an online shop and a brick and mortar one  in Chicago. I just love supporting women in business, and those running a specialty food business at that. Her...
Nadia Hubbi of Sweet Pillar & Co. gives us her take on how two of the healthiest and most traditional nuts of the Middle East stack up in food history, health benefits and culinary use. It's an interesting look...
I am so delighted to bring you this article by Jomana Siddiqui, founder of modernEID.com who creates some of the most beautifully designed 'Eid decor for the home, something I've been in search of for years now. I asked Jomana...
Last year during Ramadan I introduced you to Patchi chocolates because I fell in love with their quality and taste. I had all but given up on ever finding the taste of real chocolate mixed with real nuts like...
Ramadan, the 9th month of the Islamic calendar (lunar) and the holy month of fasting is approaching quickly. There is so much to prepare and it can be quite overwhelming if you think about it all at once. For...
Summer food is equivalent to grilling, right? Well, in the intense heat we're feeling here in the Midwest I'm not sure everyone is so excited about firing up the grills all the time. I mean, it's really hot- even...
Unless you have an amazing Asian store nearby that sells fresh ingredients from the East, it’s pretty hard to find things like lemongrass, real coconut and interesting chili peppers to cook with, unfortunate because when combined they make for...
Rogan Josh is a north Indian curry dish that is typically served with lamb. The word rogan is Persian for oil and josh mans hot or heat (some also say it means passionate). Despite the name or meaning, I've not ever had this...
On a recent trip to our local butcher, I inquired about the homemade merguez they always used to have on hand. He said they weren't making any more of it because folks weren't buying much of it, for some reason.
I always thought...
The second notion to tackle in our series, Myths About Halal Food, is one that questions the cleanliness of halal foods (including the process of making it).
my stewed zucchini and tomato recipe
I am completely saddened to hear people say...
It's true, I travel with food. It's not because I'm a food blogger, a halal foodie or averse to outside food. It's because I like to feel good and comfortable by eating what I know is healthy, especially when...
It’s not too often that I receive direct questions about what halal food is or what’s entailed in the processes that bring halal food to the table. I’m not sure if that’s good or bad thing, but I would...
Appetizer aren't just for entertaining guests. I've come to learn that keeping homemade appetizers around my house is a great way to eat healthy by avoiding eating outside, eating junk food or not eating until one is ravished with...
A couple of weeks ago when my husband was away for a few days, I had some time on my hands to work on a few projects on my 'someday' list. Since moving recently, I really wanted to bring...
One of the ways I try  improve my overall health is by making fresh juice most mornings and sometimes again later in the evenings for a refreshing drink. Right now (winter season), grapefruits and oranges are at their best so...
This is a great weekend dish- really healthy, light, and super quick to make. The only ingredient that's actually cooked is the pasta.
Chop and prep the remaining ingredients so they're ready to go as soon as the pasta is...
You may have already heard about Saffron Road's new vegetarian entrees, which are making quite a buzz on places like Facebook and Twitter. Vegetarians, vegans and those who are gluten-free are raving about the flavors and quality of these products,...
tIt's no secret that many people are suffering right now as a result of unemployment, rising costs of food and just about everything else. We're bombarded with news and information about the fluctuating economy and told time and time...
I recently heard that it was possible to make microwaved popcorn without buying bags of pre-seasoned, ready-to-pop-into-the-microwave popcorn in a bag. It sounded so much healthier to be able to put whatever I want into my bag so that I know...
Last Saturday morning I had the pleasure of attending the Chicago Gourmet event in Chicago's Millenium Park. You know the kind of experience that leaves you in a happy place for the entire remainder of the day, no matter what else happens? It...
It's been a long time since I've taken a spontaneous trip, one that's planned the day before heading out for a long weekend to a place I've never visited.
Art gallery on a pier and a gorgeous wooden sailboat rocks...
It isn't every day that you get to 'meet' a pastry chef like Malika Ameen. If you don't know her already, here's a great chance to get acquainted with one of the country's finest culinary professionals--and we're fortunate enough...
Everyone has some sort of comfort food. Some people love cakes for soothing comfort; others love chicken noodle soup or a hearty chili. For me, it's always a sandwich (aka torta, in Spanish): thick bread, a bit of mayo and...
Saturday was a crisp fall morning perfect for heading out to any farmers' market, even if just to take a look at all of the beautiful fall colors existing within the produce: bright red beets, crisp green lettuces, orange...
Whether you have tons of lemons and limes around or just a few, it's easy to preserve the outer skin, or zest, for future use in baking and cooking. Did you ever realize how expensive it can be to...
The American Qur'an project is one of the most surprising art exhibits I've ever come across. It's one artist's rendition of the Qur'an juxtaposed upon relevant scenes of American life. Sandow Birk is the L.A.-based artist who was inspired...
I read a lot of books over the course of year, some of which are skimmed throughly and some of which I hang on to every word, highlighting all of the things I want to share with the world....
Sprinjene is giving away one of each of their three kids toothpastes, all of which are certified-halal and free of any gluten or animal products. They come in three delicious varieties: watermelon, apple-mint and vanilla.
What I love about them...
When most people think of Indonesia, Bali is the first destination that comes to mind; however, it’s not its most Halal-friendly one. There are six destinations that rival Bali in their own unique way; each appealing to a different...
:The first time I was in Sicily, I had the foodie experience of a lifetime. The second time around, it was topped even more so by enjoying more street food than family gatherings. One of my favorite street sandwiches...
My all-time favorite desserts are the simplest ones. I am not a fan of spending a lot of time making sweet things, only because I try to focus more on the main dishes but once in a while I...
If you don't know me by now, one thing you should know is that I love all things Mediterranean. The food, the sunshine, the lifestyle...the FOOD. The food itself exudes sunshine, the sea and the rich volcanic soil of...
Last Spring when I was in Washington, D.C. to attend the Global Food Security Symposium, my friend and fellow food blogger, Laura Kumin and husband Kevin invited me to stay with them and enjoy a beautiful walk through the...
Recently I had the sheer pleasure of having a wonderful, heartfelt discussion with Naazish Yarkhan whom I first met years ago when she was volunteering for ICNA and taking donations for refugees at the time. She is now the...
Those of you who followed me around Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter during my trip to Dubai got a glimpse at many of the activities that I was engaging in while I had scattered wi-fi and could actually post in...
