All posts tagged: starter

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.

Creamy Roasted Butternut Squash Hummus

It feels more and more like autumn every day. And that means one thing: it’s finally pumpkin season again! I love cooking with pumpkin this time of year. There are so many delicious ways to enjoy it. So today, I’m sharing another one of my favorite pumpkin recipes with you: Creamy Roasted Butternut Squash Hummus. This hummus is vegan, gluten-free, and packed with flavor. Many people like to make pumpkin hummus with Hokkaido pumpkin. But I personally prefer butternut squash. I love its delicate, buttery flavor. To make the hummus extra flavorful, I roast the butternut squash and garlic in the oven. Roasting brings out their natural sweetness and adds a lovely depth of flavor. For the hummus, I also use nutty tahini and creamy chickpeas. A pinch of cinnamon gives it a warm, slightly Middle Eastern touch. And of course, I couldn’t stop there! I top the hummus with crispy garlic slices and a generous drizzle of good olive oil. The result is a wonderfully creamy, savory, and flavorful hummus. It’s perfect with falafel, …

Colorful Tomato & Pomegranate Salad (Fresh, Sweet & Crunchy!)

Today, I’m sharing one of my absolute favorite summer dishes with you: a Colorful Tomato & Pomegranate Salad (Fresh, Sweet & Crunchy!), fresh mint, and crisp onions. To bring out all those amazing flavors, I dress it with high-quality olive oil, rich pomegranate balsam, freshly squeezed lemon juice, Flor de Sal, and a pinch of lemon pepper. When it comes to tomatoes, I love them all! Big, small, or bursting with flavor, whether they are bright red, golden yellow, deep purple, or vibrant orange. But heirloom tomatoes hold a truly special place in my heart. For this recipe, I brought together every variety I could find. Some I grew from seeds myself, and others I picked up at the local farmer’s market. Right now, tomatoes are at their absolute peak season. They’re juicy, naturally sweet, and have just the right touch of refreshing acidity. Watch my preparation on Instagram

Coca de Trampó – The Crispy Mallorcan Vegetable Flatbread

The moment warm olive oil hits fresh tomatoes and sweet bell peppers, your whole kitchen fills with that irresistible Mediterranean aroma. And honestly? Pure summer bliss starts the very second you hear that satisfying first crunch. Beneath that golden, crispy crust lies a mountain of sweet, juicy vegetables, and it is total perfection. Let me introduce you to Coca de Trampó – The Crispy Mallorcan Vegetable Flatbread! What I love most about this recipe is how delightfully foolproof it is. You don’t need any fancy baking skills or hours of waiting around for yeast to rise. In just a few simple steps, you’ll have it prepped and popping into the oven. So, grab a baking sheet and let’s make your new favorite summer bite together today! Watch my preparation on Instagram

Mercimek Köftesi – Turkish Vegan Red Lentil Kofte

Looking for the ultimate fresh, vegan finger food for your next party, buffet, or brunch? Then you absolutely need to try my Mercimek Köftesi – Turkish Vegan Red Lentil Kofte, deliciously seasoned, plant-based Turkish red lentil patties! I love bringing these to family gatherings and special occasions. Because of their beautiful, vibrant presentation, they are always a massive hit—and they easily win over even the meat-lovers in the room! Trust me, they are simply “kofte-licious” and vanish within minutes. Guests literally crowd around the platter and just can’t keep their hands off them. Packed with flavor and wholesome ingredients, this healthy vegan crowd-pleaser is also the perfect addition to your summer picnic basket or a quick weekday snack. Want to impress your family and friends this Easter? Serve up this fresh, crisp, and vibrant Mediterranean delicacy!

Panir Hendevaneh – Persian Watermelon and Feta Skewers

Looking for a light, colorful, and refreshing appetizer that comes together in minutes? These Persian Watermelon Feta Skewers, known as Panir Hendevaneh, are the perfect summer snack for barbecues, picnics, garden parties, or family gatherings. The combination of sweet watermelon, salty feta cheese, and crisp cucumber is simple but incredibly delicious. Finished with a fresh mint leaf, these bite-sized skewers are cooling, beautiful to serve, and always a crowd favorite. Whether you’re hosting friends to watch football, enjoying a sunny afternoon in the garden, or preparing an easy appetizer for your next cookout, these Persian-inspired skewers are guaranteed to disappear quickly.

Piyaz – Giant White Bean Salad | سالاد لوبیا سفید

If you’re looking for a fresh, healthy, and protein-packed salad, you have to try Piyaz. This traditional Turkish white bean salad is also a beloved dish in many Persian homes, where it’s known as Salad-e Loobia Sefid (سالاد لوبیا سفید). Although many people associate Piyaz with Turkey, this simple yet flavorful bean salad has been enjoyed across the region for generations. One of the most famous versions is Antalya Usulü Piyaz, a specialty from the Turkish city of Antalya. What makes it so special is its rich, tangy dressing that coats every single bean with incredible flavor. Traditionally, the beans are almost completely covered in the dressing. In my version, I use a little less dressing to let the fresh vegetables and creamy white beans shine while still keeping the authentic taste. Piyaz is everything you want in a salad—fresh, satisfying, nutritious, and incredibly easy to make. It works perfectly as a mezze, a side dish for köfte, grilled meats, or kebabs, or as a light vegetarian lunch or dinner. Thanks to the white beans, …

Easiest Barbari Bread Ever! (Quick Air Fryer Method)

Let’s be honest: we all love the scent of freshly baked bread, right? But in the real world, who actually has the time to pamper dough for hours or watch it “meditate” on the kitchen counter? That’s exactly why I’m sharing The World’s Easiest Barbari Bread Ever (Quick Air Fryer Method) with you today. It’s the ultimate fix for anyone craving those bold Middle Eastern flavors but possessing the patience of a fruit fly! If you’ve been following me, you know I’m usually a huge fan of slow food. I already have a recipe for traditional Nan-e Barbari here on the blog that uses overnight fermentation and just a tiny pinch of yeast. It’s a total dream for foodies! But let’s be real: when that craving for Persian flatbread hits you RIGHT NOW, an overnight proofing method just isn’t going to cut it. Sometimes, you just need the “express route” to carb heaven. Watch my prep video on Instagram

Noon-e Khame-i – Rose and Pistachio Persian Cream Puffs

When Norooz arrives, our tea table is never complete without a platter of Noon-e Khame-i – Rose and Pistachio Persian Cream Puffs. These beautiful Persian cream puffs are made with a delicate choux pastry—light, airy, and baked with love. What makes my version special is the pastry itself. While many recipes rely on milk for the dough, I’ve found that a milk-free choux pastry results in an incredibly crisp and light shell that lets the flavors of the filling truly shine. Each puff is stuffed with freshly whipped sweet cream, infused with fragrant rosewater and crunchy chopped pistachios for a taste that is wonderfully creamy and floral. Finished with a dusting of powdered sugar and a sprinkle of bright green pistachios, they are the ultimate celebration treat. Bonus for busy bakers: You can even freeze the unbaked dough! Just let it thaw at room temperature before popping them in the oven for a fresh-baked taste anytime. From a dreamy Valentine’s Day dessert to a sophisticated Mother’s Day brunch, these Persian cream puffs are made for …

Kashk-e Bademjan – Persian Eggplant Dip

Kashk-e Bademjan – Persian Eggplant Dip – is one of those dishes that stops you mid-bite. It begins with slow-roasted eggplants cooked until they turn into a soft, smoky puree. Into that silky base melt caramelised onions and garlic, a hint of turmeric and saffron, the warm crunch of walnuts, and, most importantly, kashk, the tangy fermented yogurt that gives this classic its signature flavour. Finished with piaz dagh – a crispy topping of onions, garlic and dried mint – every spoonful tastes creamy, smoky, sweet, tangy, aromatic and deeply comforting. This is the kind of dip you scoop with warm lavash bread and suddenly realise you’ve eaten half the plate. If you like Baba Ghanoush, you will absolutely love Kashk-e Bademjan. This mezze tastes best with Persian Lavash or Barbari bread, but pita or flatbread also work well. Served warm, it’s simply delicious. Watch my prep reel on Instagram

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