All posts tagged: Christmas

Middle Eastern–Inspired Carrot, Pumpkin & Apricot Soup

Do you love fresh, fruity flavors in your soup? Then you’ll love my Middle Eastern-Inspired Carrot, Pumpkin & Apricot Soup. This creamy muscat pumpkin soup combines sweet carrots, pumpkin, and apricots with warm Middle Eastern spices. The apricots add a subtle fruity note and a lovely freshness to the soup. They also provide plenty of vitamins and nutrients, making them a great addition to your autumn recipes. For the perfect finishing touch, I top the soup with turkey strips seasoned with my homemade Ras el Hanout spice mix and cooked in sesame oil. The fragrant spice blend adds even more warmth and depth to this flavorful soup. You only need 300 g (about 10.5 oz) of pumpkin purée for this recipe. You can freeze the remaining purée or use it to make my Kaka Kadu – Persian Pumpkin Pancakes.

Shish Andaz Bademjan – Vegan Eggplants in Walnut Pomegranate Sauce

When the aroma of roasted walnuts and tangy pomegranate molasses fills the house, I am instantly transported back to the shores of the Caspian Sea back to Gilan, the lush, green, rain-kissed province of northern Iran where I spent my summer holidays. I can still see myself standing barefoot on the beach, feeling the cool ocean breeze on my face, while the waves gently crashed in the background and clay pots simmered softly in the kitchen. For me, that unique combination of fresh herbs, rich roasted walnuts, and sour pomegranate is the true taste of Gilan. Shish Andaz-e Bademjan (شش انداز بادنجان) – vegan eggplants in a creamy walnut and pomegranate sauce is one of my absolute favorite dishes from this special region. Tender, pan-fried eggplants are gently braised in a velvety walnut sauce balanced with tangy pomegranate molasses. The result is a deeply aromatic, sweet-and-sour, naturally plant-based eggplant stew that captures the soul of Northern Iranian cuisine. If you love Persian food and are already familiar with recipes like vegan Fesenjan or classic Fesenjan …

Authentic Ensaimada de Mallorca Recipe

Have you ever walked through the Palma de Mallorca airport and noticed passengers desperately clutching mysterious, octagonal cardboard boxes? No, they aren’t carrying secret island treasure – well, actually, they kind of are! Those iconic boxes hold the ultimate Balearic indulgence: the Authentic Ensaimada de Mallorca. If you’ve ever visited this sun-drenched Mediterranean paradise, you already know why travelers fight for overhead bin space just to bring a single pastry home. As a long-time travel enthusiast who has explored Mallorca for over 30 years, this island is my favorite European getaway. But you don’t need a boarding pass to experience its culinary magic. Today, I’m bringing those holiday vibes straight to your kitchen with the Authentic Ensaimada de Mallorca recipe.

Tender Persian Lamb Gigot – Easy Laura Ashley Slow Cooker Recipe

*In collaboration with MyVQ* Imagine waking up to a kitchen filled with the scent of an exotic bazaar. Warm cinnamon, earthy cumin, and the unmistakable aroma of Tender Persian Lamb Gigot – Easy Laura Ashley Slow Cooker Recipe. You didn’t spend all morning over a hot stove, instead, you prepared everything the night before in your Laura Ashley slow cooker*, and the magic happened while you slept. This isn’t your average Sunday roast. This is a Persian-style Lamb Gigot, slow-cooked for 12 hours until it is so tender it practically melts off the bone. It’s the perfect centerpiece for Easter or any special family gathering where you want maximum flavor with minimum effort. Watch my preparation video on Instagram

Baslogh Anar – Pomegranate & Pistachio Jelly Confection

Cinnamon smells like Christmas. Rosewater carries you straight to the Middle East. And then there is pomegranate. Its deep ruby juice shines like liquid light. To me, it has always felt festive. Maybe because pomegranates symbolize luck and new beginnings in so many cultures. Or maybe because they always remind me of the longest night of the year: Shab-e Yalda. On Yalda Night, pomegranate takes center stage at our table. Fresh, juicy, symbolic – it’s everywhere and here I have a lot of Must-Eat recipes. And this year, my Baslogh Anar – Pomegranate & Pistachio Jelly Confection fits the occasion perfectly. Soft, jelly-like, gently sweet with a pleasant tang. Similar to Turkish Delight, but with a distinctly Persian soul and an extra touch of pomegranate magic. Here’s a little secret: With this recipe, I’m opening Door No. 15 of the Xmas Boom Advent Calendar. That’s where Christmas and Yalda meet. Candlelight, winter coziness, sweet treats – blended with oriental colors, stories, and traditions. Two festivals of light, warmth, and togetherness. Watch my prepvideo on Instagram

Giveaway for the 10th Blog Anniversary

*Ad – in cooperation with Tormek T-1 Kitchen Knife Sharpener* Is it already Christmas? That’s exactly how it feels right now. While fairy lights glow outside and the air smells of cinnamon and freshly baked treats, there is even more to celebrate here at Labsalliebe: my blog is turning 10 years old. Ten years filled with passion, creativity, and heart – and most importantly, ten years with you by my side. What started back in 2015 with my very first blog post has grown into something I could never have imagined at the time. This anniversary feels like a little Christmas miracle, and that’s why I want to celebrate it with you. With a special 10th blog anniversary giveaway, I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart. A gift from me to you – simply because it’s Christmas, because it’s Yalda, because Labsalliebe is celebrating its birthday, and because none of this would be possible without you. 🍀

My Little Treasure Shop Online!

Imagine us taking a stroll together through my little treasure shop online – my Amazon-Shop. This is where I’ve gathered all the things that brighten my everyday life, make my kitchen more colorful, warm my heart, and hopefully make your life a little easier, cozier, and more delicious too. My shop is constantly growing, being refreshed, reorganized, and improved – like a creative project that’s always evolving. Come along on a little discovery tour through the lovingly curated categories, and maybe you’ll spot your new favorite find. 🎀

Shirini Mikado – Halva Wafers with Cocoa

If you love the satisfying crack of crispy wafers, the warm aroma of cardamom, cinnamon, and vanilla, and soft chocolate that melts on your tongue, topped with pistachios and coconut, then Shirini Mikado – Halva Wafer Slices with Cocoa is just for you. The best part? You don’t even need to heat up your oven – just a simple pan will do. Today, I even have a gluten-free version for you, just as aromatic and irresistible as the original. It’s like a little short trip to the Orient – right in your kitchen. And honestly, who could resist crispy wafers with a delicate, melting filling? This recipe opens door number 11 of Zoras Culinary Advent Calendar. And the best part: there are plenty of fantastic prizes waiting to make your Advent even sweeter! Watch my prep video on Instagram

Cinnamon Swirl Bundt Cake

Today we’re celebrating a very special day: National Bundt Cake Day! I’m so excited to join Tina from Food & Co again this year. For this event, I baked a Cinnamon Swirl Bundt Cake with sour cream and whipping cream with a cream cheese frosting. If you’re a fan of cinnamon rolls, you’re going to love this recipe. I promise: the smell of warm cinnamon, the soft and tender texture, and the creamy frosting make every bite feel like a little moment of happiness. I’ve baked this cake several times already, sometimes even in the middle of the night because the aroma is simply irresistible. Watch my Prep Reel on Instagram

Salad-e Olivieh – Russian Potato Salad with a Persian Twist

Salad-e Olivieh (سالاد الیویه), our Persian take on the old Russian classic, is the kind of dish that is showed up at every Nowruz (Persian New Year), picnic, Sizdah Bedar (the 13th day of the New Year), every birthday, and last-minute dinner when guests drop by. Creamy, comforting, and familiar, it’s made with soft potatoes, cooked chicken, tender peas, carrots, chopped hard-boiled eggs, and those sharp, crunchy persian pickles that made your mouth water before the first bite. Served cold as Mazeh, as a sandwich filler, wrapped in fresh lavash bread or spooned onto a plate as a side dish to Kotlet, Salad-e Olivieh – Russian Potato Salad with a Persian Twist is a little taste of home — something moms packed into school lunches with love, or that sat waiting in the fridge like a quiet promise of comfort after a long day. Somehow, it always tasted like someone cared. Watch my prep video on Instagram

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