Brussels Sprouts with Maple Syrup and Dijon Mustard

Whenever we have Brussels sprouts at home my children always comment about how perplexed they are that they are the only kids in class who like this vegetable.  Last time my daughter asked me why I thought that was the case, I answered her that it was likely because they probably don’t know how to make them taste delicious.

This recipe comes from Jill. While it is so simple, it is at the same time, simply amazing. I remember the first time I had this dish at Jill's house. I practically ate the whole platter. I've since given the recipe to my cousin in Brazil who told me once that she wasn't a fan of this misunderstood vegetable either. But now even her family loves it! I think she actually uses honey as a maple syrup substitute as this condiment isn't readily available in Brazil. Hope this lovely side dish becomes a favorite in your house as well. My kids won't feel like they're the only ones who like Brussels sprouts!

Khatti Dal (Sour Lentil Stew)

I really want to apologize for being absent for such a long time. I had some health issues the past two months and it all finally caught up to me. I am fine but just a bit uninspired. Please bare with me as I try to get my inspiration to blog again.

Spinach with Yogurt Salad

This is the recipe for the Spinach and Yogurt Salad that I made to go with my curries.

Halal Mama’s Layer Salad with Rosy Dressing

 

 Although the weather isn’t cooperating, it is time to start thinking about summer. And, for me, with these warm weather thoughts comes a little perplexing about what to do to entertain my four kids who will be home all day. I have never sent my kids to summer camp and get quite anxious about the idea of that for many reasons which can probably be summarized in one word: supervision. What do you do with your kids in the summer?

As far as food goes, I dream of summer for the grilling and salads. I like to put together salad combinations that my husband will try, but with much skepticism. In the end, however, he almost always becomes a fan. The combinations my family enjoys the most are my Santa Fé Salad with Moroccan Honey Dijon dressing, my Greek Cranberry Salad with Lemonette dressing, and this Layer Salad with Rosy dressing. I must say I don’t measure anything and just put all together on a whim. This is why up until now I haven’t posted any of my salad recipes. But Jill came over this week and really liked this salad and said I should post it. So here it goes.

Champiñones Al Ajillo (Garlic Mushroom Tapa)

Spanish cuisine is one of my favorites mainly for all its tapas and seafood dishes. And, what I like about Spain is that you don’t have to spend much to eat well. In fact, I studied in Spain during a summer season which seems a lifetime ago and while there I ate very well on a paltry student budget. I would have my main meal of the day as lunch where I would go to a neighborhood restaurant or cafes and order the "menú del día," a fixed price lunch option with a couple of choices of dishes that changed daily, all with drink and bread included. Then, at night I would share tapas with friends.

Indian Cabbage with Pigeon Peas

By Jill

A lot of people assume that since I'm an American married to a Syrian Arab that I've learned how to cook a lot of good Syrian dishes. I have learned a few from my mother-in-law who is an amazing cook. However, because she lives halfway around the world I haven't had the pleasure of being with her long enough to really become schooled in her kitchen. It's not all bad, though, because I've been virtually adopted by my friend Rehana's mother who lives in my neighborhood. She's hosted me for some amazing cooking classes with plenty of tastings included. I can now proudly say I am part Ghujrati Indian, or at least imagine myself to be when I'm cooking up some of Rehana and her mother's fantastic, spicy vegetable dishes or channeling their culinary skills when attempting veal biryani. Lucky for me my husband loves Indian food as much as me!

Onion Quiche with Cottage Cheese

Making this quiche was a true soap opera. I planned on doing it for about 2 weeks and never found the time. Remember, I've recently lamented about the busy schedule of a halal mama of four. Then one day I thought, "This is it, I'm going to do it!" I thought I had enough time before picking up the twins at preschool but I couldn’t have been more wrong and had to leave with my dough resting in the fridge, the onions just caramelized and the egg/cream filling in a measuring cup. I made sure everything was well-covered with plastic and left, not being able to get back to the quiche until the next morning! I had to take the dough out of the fridge for a few minutes before I was able to roll it out and I had to mix the cream filling again. But, to my surprise, it turned out just fine and it tasted even better reheated the next day. So, my point here in sharing this drama is to tell you that you can feel free to make each individual part of the quiche ahead and bake when you are ready to serve. I like these kind of recipes!

Taktouka (Moroccan Green Pepper and Tomato Side Dish)

 Growing up my father always had a boat and was an enthusiastic weekend fisherman. Every Friday afternoon my parents would pack me in the car and we'd head to our place on the beach. I grew up eating a lot of fish and seafood in general, and I am happy to have married someone who appreciates this fare as well. We buy and cook fresh seafood at home frequently and would cook it more often if not for our worries over the safety of our kids who also enjoy seafood almost as much as us.

While today’s recipe is not a seafood dish, it is a wonderful Moroccan side dish/salad we enjoy very much with fried fish, especially when prepared by my dear mother-in-law who I miss very much. The recipe that follows is a simple and fast method of preparing the dish. If you don’t like fish, make this as a side dish next time you make a steak or grilled chicken breast. Make sure to have some good bread available to eat with it.

Ratatouille (French Vegetable Stew)

It's interesting that so many of my friends assume I am a big meat-lover. The truth is a bit more complicated. My favorite food happens to be a big juicy steak, preferably made outside on the grill served alongside some delicious fries and even lovelier if served with rice, black beans and some chimichurri. However, other than my occasional steak, I really don’t care for eating meat on a daily basis.

In fact there have been times in my life when I’ve gone vegetarian and even vegan for short periods of time. In one of these instances, during my first year in college, while taking a practical neuroanatomy class held in a gross anatomy lab where we had to handle and study real brains the smell of formaldehyde and seeing the things in the lab made me completely averse to meat and I became vegetarian for some time. Sorry for such graphic detail! But, eventually I missed my steak and broke away from my strictly vegetarian habits. I also love seafood and dairy too much to stay vegan for long.

Mango Guacamole

I found these Brazilian mangos at the market the other day and bought them thinking of this Mango Guacamole recipe I’d seen in Rick Bayless’ book. Since I haven’t been lucky buying mangos here in Chicago in the past, I didn’t buy many. Surprisingly, these were the best mangos I had since moving here from Brazil many years ago. Tomorrow I’ll be running back to the market for more.

Spinach à la Marocaine

I really want to apologize for being MIA, but between twins starting pre-K, PTO meetings, laundry, basketball practice, playgroups, playdates and life in general I have not had much time to breathe.

Afghan Eggplant (Buranee Banjan) with Mint and Garlic Yogurt Sauce

I know so many people who just won't share their recipes. While they won't admit to this crime, the email they promised with the prized recipe simply never reaches your inbox. Well, enough about these people.

I wanted to share something today about the opposite kind of people, those who are always happy to share a good recipe. I've never understood why someone wouldn't want to share such a thing unless of course they were making a living off of it. After all, it is always interesting to try a friend’s take on your recipe as often the dish never tastes quite the same as yours and it's both fun and interesting to note the differences. With that said, at times I have a hard time sharing recipes but not because I don’t want to (or I wouldn’t have a recipe blog), but because many times I simply don’t have an actual recipe to share - a lot of what I cook is simply in my head and not on paper. In fact, one of the hardest things for me with this blog is trying to slow down my cooking to measure stuff so that I can post here. At the end of the day, I'm a full-time Halal Mama of four kiddos and don't cook exclusively for the blog but rather include in the blog what I am feeding my family and friends.

Roasted Butternut Squash Risotto

I'm not sure where summer went but there is no doubt that fall is in the air already, or at least all over my backyard which is full of falling leaves. I love summer but I actually like fall just as well. First of all, it is beautiful. Secondly, there is tons to do with the kids - apple orchards, pumpkin patches, cool-weather frolics in the park...so much that my family enjoys!

Zaalouk (Eggplant Salad)

I love Morrocan tagines as much as a full-blooded local, but I must confess what I most enjoy during my meals in Morocco are the salads and side dishes. I've posted before about how much I like eggplant so naturally, Morrocan zalouk (eggplant salad) is one of my favorite salads/side dishes. This recipe comes directly from my mother-in-law’s kitchen and all measurements are approximate according to my observation. When my husband makes zalouk he roasts the eggplant, but I know some people who boil it in water. My mother-in-law steams hers and it turns out great. Zaalouk can be served warm or cold - I prefer mine at room temperature.

Oven Roasted Carrots and Asparagus

Sorry I had no time to post today. Being my daughter’s birthday, she got to choose today’s dinner menu. She wanted to steak, so despite the weather my husband got the grill going and I made homemade French fries and oven roasted carrots and asparagus. Sorry for the brief post but before going to bed I just wanted to leave you with a very simple and healthy recipe that is very popular in my house.