Mujaddara, My Way

Every year about this time it happens: I get uninspired. Blah. My cooking falls into a bit of a rut. I blog half heartedly and irregularly. Instead of my usual full-speed-ahead approach, I find myself moving in slow motion.  In other words, I get a bit burned out.

Luckily I have a holiday coming up - more details later! - and I am trying to let the anticipation breathe some life into me. It's working, a little.

Another thing that works? This dish. It is the perfect thing to make when you want something simple and unfussy that's still flavorful and filling. It's comforting and homemade, and there will be leftovers so you won't have to think about the next day's meal. Best of all, I can make this on autopilot - and everyone needs a few dishes like that in their repertoire, especially when inspiration is elusive.

Chicken B'Stilla for French Fridays with Dorie

I first had chicken b'stilla at a Moroccan restaurant in D.C. many, many ... okay, many ...  years ago, and (culinary naif that I was) I thought it was quite the exotic dish. For one thing, I had never before experienced cinnamon in a savory preparation, something I now know is fairly common to many North African and Middle Eastern cuisines. For another thing, the fragrant herbs and spices, particularly the saffron, were not tastes that I was used to.

Alas, shortly after I ate there, I heard a rumor (from a very reliable source!)  that  - how shall I put it? is this a family blog? - certain types of explicit adult films were shot in the very same restaurant space after hours. I'm no prude, but the visual of what may or may not have been occurring on the very table upon which I had blissfully and innocently enjoyed my b'stilla was enough to prevent me from ever going back.

Warm Fresh Fava Bean Salad ... Perfection

Revisiting all those great Egyptian and Middle Eastern dishes I had in Vienna really got me craving specific foods and flavors. Things like garlic and olive oil and fresh vegetables. Beautiful cheeses and herbs. Something sort of Mediterranean. Then I spied fresh fava beans at the market,  and I knew it was time to return to an old favorite of mine.