All posts filed under: Dips

Discover Flavors Of Syria: Zezafoun Toronto

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“We wanted to share mamas delicious Syrian culture with the people in Toronto and beyond.. says Marcelle Alexis, Co-founder Zezafoun Eid celebrations often bring back memories of our time in Dubai and the joy of celebrating with friends and indulging in the various Iftar buffets that most hotels and restaurants plan around this time of the year. I also fondly remember the foodie walks in Mumbai with my sister, that are a delightful culinary journey into the by-lanes of the city which are abuzz with food vendors and street stalls that are a delightful experience to the senses and a symphony of flavors, aromas and textures that elevate the dining experience. Whilst here in Toronto, a bunch of ladies decided to embark on a culinary journey at Zezafoun last evening. This hidden gem serves some very authentic Syrian cuisine crafted with love and warmth making our meal a memorable culinary experience  Walking into this restaurant is like stepping into the comforts of Syrian warmth and hospitality.This place is run by Chef Yola and her daughter Marcelle.The …

Falafel Salad Bowl

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  Having lived in the Middle East for a little less than two decades, our taste buds tend to gravitate to wonderful middle eastern flavours that revive memories of our stay as expats in Dubai. Our dinners quite often have a hint of levantine spices and ingredients, and my kitchen pantry is almost always stocked with  za’taar and sumac spices, pomegranate molasses,preserved lemons, sesame seeds, saffron and olive oil. The tahini sauce has also come to be a  sought after condiment and used quite frequently to accompany many of my meals. Last week I decided to make up a  Falafel Salad Bowl for a light and easy lunch. The Falafels and the Tahini sauce have been made from scratch and the recipe is as explained below. Now most often I do bake the Pita breads too,however time being of essence,I had to make do with store bought ones! I do have to admit that the vibrancy and textures of the Falafel Salad Bowl brought about a burst of flavour in every bite.The edamame,all though part …

Pumpkin Goodness: Recipes That Go Beyond Pie

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Fall is in the air and there is no better place to experience it, than here in Toronto.There are various shades of tinted amber, brilliant yellow and bright orange everywhere. I sit by my window and look out with a heart filled with gratitude as I admire nature’s canvas, painted ahead of me. The air is crisp and the falling leaves now bid adieu to summer.

Muhammara: Roasted Red Bell Peppers & Walnut Dip

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This bright and super flavourful dip is a show stopper and a crowd pleaser for sure.Smoky flavours of roasted red bell peppers combined with a hint of garlic,a burst of lemon juice and olive oil mingle together to make up this delightful Middle Eastern Mezze. If your taste buds are sharp enough you will detect the slightly coarse texture that is brought about by the addition of breadcrumbs and coarsely ground walnuts. This classic dip traces  its origins to Aleppo Syria,and now a popular accompaniment with most Levantine cuisine. A key ingredient that lends a vibrant colour to this dip is Pomegranate Molasses.I do believe the brilliant red tones and the tartness of this deeply flavoured Muhamarra ,lies in the addition  of the molasses.I’ve been impatient to make this for quite awhile now and glad that I  went ahead and made some.

Tangy Onion Chutney & A Lazy Sunday Morning

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  Yes and that’s how most Sunday afternoon’s land up being at our home.Lazy and with no  great plans for at least the earlier half of the day.Most often I declare that the Kitchen’s Closed .I  say this with every reason as,between getting a lot of meals together,cooking for my classes and all the recipe development and experiments that go on  through the week,I’m ready to have someone else do the cooking for me. Well this past Sunday was an exception. We were out most of the previous days at various lunches & dinners and wanted the comfort of a simple home cooked meal. We all crave that especially as it a mix of nostalgia of one’s mum’s cooking,perhaps a childhood favourite or just something easy and hearty that evokes a sentiment of feeling totally comfortable at home. Both the dear husband and son are quite fond of a South Indian fare.Now I did have some Ragi (finger Millet) dosa batter that was made up a day earlier.Well all I really needed was a filling …