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.

Moroccan Vegetarian Stew

Hello friends! How are you? I'm sharing another Moroccan stew with you. This recipe is one of my favorites.  

I love making Moroccan stews in winter. My husband and I live two miles from the Atlantic Ocean, on the North Shore of Boston. When the cold wind whips the salty sea air, this stew makes us feel cozy. If a blizzard is in full effect I play some Van Morrison, putter in my kitchen, enjoying the snow-globe-view from my window and the warm aromas from the simmering stew. Vegetarian stews comfort us with their wholesome and healthy nutrition.

Spicy Honey Baked Wings

These sweet and spicy baked wings need no long explanation. The honey caramelizes on the wings as they bake. That's a very good thing. They're also easy to prepare. Fresh oregano and a squeeze of lemon is a delicious finish.  Best of all, they're baked not fried. Bees Knees Spicy Honey makes them extra special. The chili-infused honey is the secret ingredient, giving this dish a punch of heat and flavor. I reviewed the spicy honey a few weeks ago. It became an instant favorite in my kitchen. You can find the spicy honey on Uncommongoods. Regular honey and a sprinkle of ground cayenne pepper will work 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.

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.

Chili Garlic Glazed Salmon

Asian flavors are made for salmon. This easy and healthy recipe comes in handy when you're wondering what to serve for dinner. It's a foolproof dish that's ready in 30 minutes from start to finish. Steam some Jasmine or sushi rice, toss some sliced cucumbers with sesame oil, a drizzle of honey and rice vinegar and you've got a tasty dinner that's special enough to serve to company.

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.

Vegetable Soup with Barley & Basil

A simple vegetable soup is what I cooked today. It's what I needed. It's the kind of austere and nourishing soup I imagine monks making with their fresh garden vegetables. They'd eat it at supper time with warm bread. 

Fresh Pea Soup with Thai Flavors

The French love simple soups. Dinner is often a hot bowl of soup with a piece of crusty bread. I make a lot of fresh pea soups using humble frozen petite peas. They're economical, fast, easy and just great to keep in your freezer for spur of the moment meals.

Chickpea and Zucchini Fritters

I found a wonderful Donna Hay recipe, tweaked it just a little bit, making it a tad spicy. A tiny chili pepper is added for heat. I love the spicy, slightly tropical flavor of tiny Thai peppers. They come in red and green. I find them in my regular supermarket. If you can't find Thai peppers, use a little minced jalapeno pepper instead. Dill and lemon lend freshness. There's a nice balance of flavors and textures going on here. I just love these fritters! I hope you do too! 

Light & Creamy Leek and Potato Soup with Fresh Dill

This is magic soup because with minimal effort you get a big reward. Everything gets put in a soup pot with some water. Voila, after about 30 minutes of simmering, a cozy and deeply flavorful soup appears.

Fresh dill compliments the creamy potatoes. A  splash of wine and a pinch of nutmeg give the soup additional layers of flavor. A dollop of creme fraiche on top of each individual serving isn't a bad idea either.

I make this soup after the holiday splurge or when I'm in need of some vegetarian comfort and nourishment. Leeks are incredibly good for us! The soup tastes great with or without the addition of half and half.  

Moroccan Eggplant Tagine

Lately, I've been doing more cooking than stitching. Moroccan cuisine is making its way into my kitchen regularly too. 

This warmly spiced stew is what's for dinner tonight. Eggplant is the star here. If you love eggplant then this recipe is for you. I'm half Middle Eastern, which makes me a genetically programmed eggplant lover.

Lemon Scallion Couscous Cakes

These lemony couscous cakes get their moisture and flavor from lots of scallions, the larger the better. If you can only find small scallions then just use more of them. I like to serve these cakes with my Moroccan Chickpea Tagine, my  Moroccan Eggplant Tagine or a Persian Salad (recipe below). But, they're equally good with salsa, chutney, yogurt or creme fraiche and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice or lime juice. Sometimes I make them for lunch and serve them with lemon, creme fraiche and roasted veggies.

Harissa is a Moroccan spice blend that gives them a little heat. You can swap the harissa for sriracha sauce or ground red pepper with good results.

Creamy Fresh Pea Soup with Basil and Lime

Life near Boston gets hectic. When thoughts of packing up and moving to Montana fill my mind, I turn to stitching and cooking. These domestic pleasures rescue me. An afternoon spent whipping up a wonderful soup and working on a pretty French monogram soothe my soul. A movie marathon is also welcome.

Moroccan Chickpea Tagine

Moroccan tagines are beautifully fragrant stews made with key spices and whispers of saffron. I make a lot of tagines, like this Eggplant Tagine. To my delight, a French woman once wrote to me to say that my tagine recipes are some of the best she's ever tried. The French make a lot of tagines.