The History of Baba Ganoush, and a Recipe
Filed Under Food History, Recipes
We've talked before about eggplant and what an amazing vegetable we think it is, and one of my favorite preparations is in baba ganoush. Also spelled baba ghanoush or baba ghanouj/ganouj/gannuj, this eggplant spread is ridiculously easy to make and exceedingly tasty. Originally a dish of Levantine cuisine (more on that here), its etymology is a bit opaque. "Baba" is an endearment and also the Arabic word for father, while… Read
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Homemade Hummus and Pita Bread
Filed Under Recipes
There is nothing as easy as homemade hummus, and homemade pita is surprisingly easy as well. I am always amazing when I make it how delicious it turns out. Of course, you could just make the hummus or the pita, but I pretty much always make these two recipes together. You can make pita of course during one of our fabulous cooking vacations, including our Cuisine & Culture of Israel… Read
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Grilled Lamb Kofta Kebabs with Garlic Yogurt Sauce
Filed Under Recipes, What's Up at TIK
Is it just me, or do you get tired of cooking the same meats all the time? During summer grilling season I cook a lot of hamburgers (my burgers are famous in several states, thank you very much), chicken, and fish. When I'm having company maybe steaks, pork, or sausages and hotdogs. And of course, for holidays I might go all out and smoke ribs or pulled pork. But one… Read
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A Middle Eastern Dinner: Culinary Travels with TIK
Filed Under Destination Features, Food History
I found myself craving Middle-Eastern food over the weekend, so I did what I usually do: I decided to make a Middle Eastern dinner! But when my kids asked me what that meant, I found I had trouble answering. "Can it be Middle Eastern food if there is no falafel?" was one question. "I thought that was Greek!" was another comment. So what exactly is "Middle Eastern food"? If the… Read
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What is Baklava?
Filed Under Food History, Recipes
What is Baklava? Baklava is a traditional dessert from the eastern Mediterranean basin, and is especially prevalent in Greece and Turkey, but also the Caucuses and the Middle East. There is no consensus about where or when it originated, but some date it back almost 3000 years! The ingredients can change slightly, but they always include phyllo (or filo) sheets, chopped nuts, some type of sweet syrup, and some type… Read
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Iconic Desserts from Europe
Filed Under Destination Features, Food History
This week we're featuring some iconic desserts that you can learn to make on our cooking vacations in Europe. These are some of the tastiest of the dishes you'll eat, preferably paired with a delicious local wine that can balance out the sweetness of these dessert recipes. Of course, there are far too many to feature in only one blog, so check back later this week for more! France The… Read
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