By Saad Fayed

About.com

Baklava takes a lot of time to make. It’s sticky and gooey. You will get messy – that’s 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.

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour, 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups walnuts or pistachio nuts
• 4 cups sugar plus 1/2 cup
• 1 lb butter, butter
• 1 package, or 16 oz. frozen filo dough, thawed according to package directions
• 2 cups water
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice

Preparation: Read the full story

By Saad Fayed

Courtesy of http://mideastfood.about.com

You will never experience a flavor better than a tagine. This chicken tagine recipe is perfect for beginners!

Ingredients:

• 4-6 bonesless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
• 1 onion sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 cup potatoes chopped into 1 inch pieces
• 1 1/2 cup tomato, wedged
• 1cups carrots sliced
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cups water
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil

Preparation: Read the full story

By Saad Fayed

Courtesy of http://mideastfood.about.com

Definition: Mezze is an appetizer or a spread of appetizers or small foods. Popular Middle Eastern mezze include baba ghannouj, hummus, samboosak, and salads like tabouleh. Olives and pickles are almost always included in a mezze spread.

Drinks are always served with the mezze and they are cold drinks. Alcohol is served with the spread in many countries, too.

Pronunciation: mez-ah

Alternate Spellings: mezzah, mezzeh, mezza

Published in The Independent Monitor August 2009 issue.

By Saad Fayed

Courtesy of http://mideastfood.about.com

If you love burger and you love feta, why not combine the two? This recipe for feta burgers is perfect – ground beeg mixed with crumbled feta, onions, and green peppers that is grilled to perfection. Add more crumbled feta and tahini sauce to top and you have the perfect feta burger.

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 7 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 lbs ground beef
• 1/2 lb. crumbled feta
• 1/4 cup green peppers, diced
• 1/4 onion, diced
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• salt and pepper to taste

Preparation: Read the full story