Middle Eastern Chicken Meatballs

My go-to recipe for subtly spiced Middle Eastern chicken meatballs is always in rotation around here. These meatballs are golden brown and flavorful. As they cook, the savory aroma takes me back to my grandmother's kitchen.

The meatballs are a nice change from the usual sauteed chicken breast. Fresh lemon juice, herbs and a sprinkling of Aleppo pepper are a welcome finish. Serve them with my Rustic Tabbouleh Salad  for a healthy and vibrant Middle Eastern meal.

My Grandmother's Lebanese-Spiced Chicken

This is my easy version of the warmly-spiced chicken my Lebanese grandmother served every Christmas and Easter. She lived with my grandfather in a small apartment in Brooklyn, New York. The bright and flavorful Eastern Mediterranean feasts she created from her tiny yellow kitchen impressed everyone. She loved to cook for her family and friends. On Christmas day, she always served a whole roasted chicken with delicious rice pilaf. The pan juices from the chicken were served over the rice. Along with the chicken and rice, my grandmother made stuffed grape leaves, lemony salads, hummus, baklava and date cookies. There was plenty of fresh pita bread too. Her modest-home was full of good food and lots of love.

Easy Indian Chicken Curry

A simple chicken curry with creamy coconut milk and perky ginger is what's for dinner tonight. Coconut milk is a rich source of antioxidants and certain minerals, including iron and potassium. Vitamins C, E and many B vitamins are abundant in coconut milk too. This a light curry in that it doesn't contain lots of butter or cream. You'll feel energized after you've enjoyed a bowl of it.   

Chicken curry can be on your table in no time. A potato gives it substance. It's mild and mellow with great flavor. Even if you've never made Indian food, you can prepare this delicious dish without much effort.  If you've got fresh mint growing in your garden, sprinkle some on top. A squeeze of fresh lime juice is a must!  If you're serving guests who like a little more heat, you can offer them some thinly sliced chilis or sriracha sauce. Get your curry on!  

Lemon Soy Sesame Wings

These baked wings are a much lighter choice than the usual buffalo style ones. When you're in the mood for wings, give this recipe a go. It combines tangy lemon juice with perky garlic and ginger. There's umami flavors from soy sauce and a hint of sweet honey. Sesame seeds bring in crunch and warmth. The wings get a final crisping under the broiler, caramelizing the honey, giving them a light glaze. They're sweet, salty and crave-worthy. There's also no deep fried mess. Win-win!

Thai Red Curry Wings

Crispy Thai wings can be on your table without the hassle of deep frying. This five-ingredient recipe (not including salt) is easy and delicious. Golden-brown wings in a creamy coconut milk sauce that's spiked with red curry paste is what's for dinner. They're a nice choice for summer when we need something perky and fresh. They're equally good in winter when we crave something spicy. Best of all, they're baked, not fried. If you love Thai curries, give them a go. I imagine they'd taste great grilled too.

  

Green Curry Meatballs With Creamy Coconut-Basil Sauce

Every once in a while a recipe comes along that's stellar and special. A culinary idea is formed and then something magical happens. The ingredients surprisingly combine into a delicious dish that's more than you imagined. You're not really sure how it turned out so good. But you're thrilled it did! Oh mercy, these easy, Thai turkey meatballs make me thank the Good Lord for coconut, lime & ginger.

Greek Chicken With Lemon & Olives

Simple roasted chicken is always welcome on my dinner table. This golden-brown, crispy and juicy chicken is spiked with a punchy hit of lemon, oregano and garlic. Briny olives give the pan sauce a delicious saltiness. The sunny flavors of Greece make this dish a hit in our home. It's not complicated to cook either. Serve it with my Ultra Creamy Hummus with Greek Salsa  and my Rice Pilaf with Toasted Orzo, for a delicious Eastern Mediterranean meal.   

Crispy Breaded Lemon Chicken

Crispy, breaded chicken is what's for dinner a lot around here. It's a no-brainer recipe that's a big hit with everyone. There's something so simple and irresistible about juicy chicken coated in golden- brown, crunchy breadcrumbs. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice is the perfect finishing touch. Some fresh basil is nice with it too.  It's great hot or cold, meaning you can make it in the morning and keep it in the fridge until dinner. Perfect for summer picnics and dinners on the patio.

Quick Chicken Pho

If you've visited me before, you may have noticed my deep devotion to Asian noodles, especially big brothy bowls of them. Oh how I love pho! The aroma of it alone can brighten my day. I've been making this quick and easy version for a while now. It mimics the slow-simmered flavor profile of the real deal. It's just delicious! 

Greek Turkey Meatballs

Since I'm half Middle Eastern, the sunny flavors in this dish are close to my heart. I've been making these meatballs for twenty years. A bit of oregano and a pinch of cinnamon give them an Eastern Mediterranean vibe. The delicious aromas of this dish remind me of my Lebanese grandmother. She cooked beautiful meals in her little, yellow, Brooklyn apartment kitchen. She taught me to add a pinch of cinnamon to savory dishes to give them an authentic taste.

Honey-Lime Baked Chicken with Fresh Basil

My husband and I have been making this easy roasted chicken for years. We enjoy it at least twice a week, sometimes swapping lemons for limes. It's a foolproof dinner that everyone loves. The crispy and juicy chicken is lightly seasoned with honey and chili pepper, giving it a sweet and spicy vibe. Lime adds a fresh finish. Simple baked potatoes, Chopped Salad with Honey Lime Dressing, French Peas or Coconut Rice  are nice side dishes. This homey meal is one of life's deliciously simple pleasures. If you're interested in roasting a whole chicken, I provide instructions for that too.

Old-Fashioned Chicken Noodle Soup

Most days you can find me hand-embroidering and cooking. I enjoy quiet, domestic activities that are blissfully non-competitive, solitary and stress-free. I also work part-time in a crisis center, which provides a nice balance. Soup is one of my favorite things to cook. I like knowing it's simmering on my stove. A big brothy bowl, along with a piece of crusty bread, is simple and delicious. There are usually tasty leftovers too.

Everyone loves Grandma's chicken soup, right? My grandmother was a wonderful cook. She could mend a sock or make a Christening dress without much effort too. I adored spending time with her. She used to make the best chicken soup. She finished it with a pinch of cinnamon and a squeeze of lemon. The addition of cinnamon wasn't overpowering. Instead, the soup tasted even more warm and inviting.

Vietnamese Vegetable Soup with Coconut Rice

By now, you know how much I adore soup. My Vietnamese vegetable soup is a quick take on traditional slow simmering pho ga. Chicken is added for protein. Tofu or shrimp work well too. Here, a light and flavorful broth is loaded with lots of tender-crisp Asian vegetables, spicy ginger and a finish of fresh lime. Soft hints of warm spices lend an authentic taste to the soup. Earthy mushrooms and soy sauce give it an umami flavor. 

This glorious soup leaves me feeling restored and content, especially during cold and flu season. It's a deliciously nutritious meal. It's ready in under 30 minutes and you control the sodium level. As the rice cooks and the soup simmers, the kitchen fills with sunny aromas. If you're in need of a reboot, put on your PJ's, line up your favorite movies, make a big pot of Vietnamese soup and slurp your stress away.

Thai Turkey Meatloaf with Sriracha & Lime

Lately, I've been making turkey meatloaf at least once a week. I add a bit of bacon to the mix to keep it moist and bump up the flavor. This Thai inspired recipe is always a hit. It's mildly spicy. Scallions, basil and lime lend fresh notes. Thai curry paste keeps things on the exotic side.

Thai Chicken Coconut Soup With Sweet Potatoes

There's five feet of snow on my balcony here in New England and it just keeps on coming. This spicy, restorative soup is a necessary escape from the Arctic-like weather. A big bowl of hot soup makes my heart happy. There are many simple soup recipes here. If you're interested, check the Recipe Index to view all of them.

My Thai chicken coconut soup is brimming with colorful veggies. The right amount of heat makes it warm and inviting. Sweet potato counters the spice and gives it substance. It's filling, but not at all heavy. The delicious broth is spiked with creamy coconut milk, red curry paste and a squeeze of fresh lime. Steamed Jasmine or sushi rice is the perfect add-on. Think fluffy rice and luscious soup and you'll get the picture. This soup is better and much more nutritious than my favorite Thai restaurant version. The taste is authentic and pure. It's is ready in under 30 minutes. Best of all, it's easy to cook. Even if you've never made Thai food before, you can do this. You'll be happy and proud that you did.

Asian Noodle Soup

I work with a beautiful nurse who's my best friend. She's everything a friend and a nurse should be; kind, respectful and insightful. She looks 20 years younger than her actual age. Her fountain of youth springs from her youthful soul. This soup may also have something to do with it. She calls it her "Chinese Woman Soup." A wise Chinese lady told my friend that the soup keeps her healthy. I riffed on her recipe.

Thai Noodle Soup

Is there anything better than a big bowl of Asian noodles? It's up there on my list of favorites, along with chocolate, mashed potatoes and fresh baguette. When I was working as a young social worker in Philadelphia, I had lunch every single day at a no-frills Vietnamese noodle soup (Pho) house. They only served soup and they did it right. I slurped soup there so much that the wait staff insisted that I learn to use chopsticks properly. I love the contrasting textures and flavors of these kinds of soups: tangly noodles, crunchy bean sprouts, tender-crisp veggies and flavorful broth.  

Turkey Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

These light,  juicy meatballs are one of my husband’s favorites.  I’ve been making them for years, perfecting the recipe. Life is better with meatballs. Melt some mozzarella and Parmesan over them for a meatball Parmesan.

Persian Meatball Poppers with Lime Whipped Yogurt

For some time now people have been asking me to share my juicy turkey meatball recipe. I’ve been making them for years. These meatballs are my husband’s  absolute favorite.  He has asked for them for as long as we’ve been  married. They’re light, bouncy and flavorful. A chili pepper gives a spicy kick. 

Sticky Sweet & Spicy Sesame Meatball Poppers

Poppers glazed in a light honey sesame sauce are on the menu today. Thai peppers infuse these morsels with a fierce tropical heat. A mix of ground spices lend smokiness and depth of flavor.