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. 

Lebanese Lentil Soup With Toasted Orzo

This easy, creamy lentil soup is always on my menu. It's economical. It reheats well. It's good. My favorite Lebanese spices like cozy cinnamon and a dash of allspice show up here. As the soup simmers, warm aromas take me waaaay back to my beloved grandmother's kitchen. I often serve the soup with pita bread, rice or toasted orzo. Diced scallions, herbs and lots of fresh lemon juice make it sing. It's a light but nourishing soup that's welcome in both warm and cold weather. It's healthy too.

Roasted Broccoli With Lemon-Tahini Drizzle

Roasting broccoli is an easy way to bring out its flavor. This recipe has a delicious Eastern Mediterranean vibe. The lemony tahini sauce is bright and sunny. It plays against the warmth and sweetness of the golden-brown broccoli in a very good way.

You can riff on this recipe by tossing some chickpeas on the tray with the broccoli before roasting it. Serve the roasted broccoli/chickpeas and the sauce over rice or stuffed into a pita for a protein-packed vegan meal. It's also great with fried or scrambled eggs for a light vegetarian dinner.

Roasted Cauliflower and Chickpeas With Za'atar-Tahini Drizzle & Toasted Sesame Seeds

Little girl kneeling by The Blessed Virgin Mary 

Christmas isn't a day, it's a sacred season. We spend it in pure peace. Instead of hustling around everywhere, our focus is on a few essential activities. While festive Christmas parties are in full swing and malls are crowded with frazzled shoppers, we walk on clear beaches. We enjoy heartwarming concerts where Polish children sing lullabies to the baby Jesus. There are many cozy dinners in our PJs with sea salt chocolate for dessert. There's tea and ginger cookies. We pray more and count our blessings more. We watch old movies, Christmas flicks and read good books. We put presents under the annual parish Giving Tree. We exchange thoughtful gifts and eat peppermint sticks. We sit in candlelit churches. It's a time of calm celebration, cherished spirituality and tranquil motion. 

Thai Chickpea, Vegetable And Potato Curry

Lately I've been hearing a lot about Blue Zones. Regions of the world where vegetable and bean dishes are consumed regularly. These areas are populated by healthy humans who live very long lives. Since I love chickpeas, I thought I'd create my own variety of a Blue Zone dinner tonight.

This Thai inspired vegetable and bean curry is mild and mellow. Creamy coconut milk and hearty potatoes make it very satisfying. Everything is simmered in one pot for ease of preparation. 

Lemon Roasted Asparagus

This is a healthy, light, easy and fresh asparagus recipe. Roasted spears are quickly tossed with perky ginger and tangy lemon juice. A red chili pepper finishes things off with heat and more flavor. If you're in the mood, a sprinkle of sesame seeds adds warmth and crunch. This dish is wonderful in warm weather and springtime. It's good hot, cold or at room temperature.

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!

Lebanese Rice & Lentils

After making this dish for several years, I've created a basic recipe without sacrificing flavor. There's a more complicated recipe on this blog too. But I rarely prepare it now because I'm busy with cross-stitch pattern making. Ain't nobody got time for that. I need simple, tasty and reheatable recipes these days.    

A whisper of cozy cinnamon, plenty of black pepper and a hit of fresh lemon juice are essential to any proper rice and lentil dish. I like more lentils than rice. If I'm in the mood, I add cumin. Cumin is lovely with lentils. But it's a strong spice, so I have to be up for it. Lentils, lemon and black pepper were made for each other.

Chard & Chickpeas With Tahini Cream

Lebanese people love chard. Summer is the season for it. My local market sells gorgeous red and rainbow Swiss chard. I wait for it all winter. 

Today's recipe pairs red chard with roasted chickpeas. The chickpeas are infused with smoked paprika and warm spices. A squeeze of lemon and a dollop of tahini cream are a lovely, fresh finish. Pair this dish with steamed rice or pita. You can also round out this recipe by serving it with olives, Spanish ham and/or manchego cheese. This energizing meal has lots of vegetarian protein, vitamins, minerals and fiber. Best of all, it's delicious. The sunny flavors of the Eastern Mediterranean are all here!    

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.

Avocado & Chickpea Hummus With Mediterranean Salsa

I'm half Lebanese, which means I grew up eating hummus. This non-traditional, ultra-creamy version has the added nutrition and luxuriousness of avocado and Greek yogurt. It's a high-protein, healthy and delicious dip that's perfect when paired with pita or on top of a fluffy baked potato for a light meal. I like this hummus better than the old standard. Ohhhh it is good! The fresh Mediterranean salsa takes it over the top with a welcome contrast of crunchy texture and zesty flavor. It'll have you rethinking hummus.  

Fluffy Lemon Ricotta Pancakes

My devotion to pancakes runs deep. These light and fluffy lemon ricotta cakes are numero uno. They're easy to prepare too! No whipping egg whites or melting butter is involved. In fact, sometimes laziness completely takes over and I mix everything in one bowl. Swap the maple syrup for honey and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and you're in for an extra special treat. They're delicious with my quick honeyed-strawberry sauce too. If you love pancakes, I hope you give this recipe a try.

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.

Spicy Spanish Chickpeas

Chickpeas simmered in a rich and tangy tomato sauce, spiked with chili, paprika and a splash of sherry is what's for lunch today. The sherry really takes this humble bean dish to new levels. A squeeze of lemon and a drizzle of olive oil are the perfect finishes. These beans are delicious with a dollop of sour cream and some toasted slivered almonds sprinkled on top. They're also really good, served over rice, with my cooling cucumber tzatziki sauce (recipe below). Stuff them into warm pita, a baked potato or eat with crusty bread. This meal is high in vegetarian protein, especially when served with rice. It's healthy and filling too. It reheats well for workweek meals. Get your Spanish tapas fix in about 30 minutes.

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.

Roasted Potatoes with Lemon and Herbs

I love using lemon to add sparkle to golden brown fingerling potatoes. Roasted potatoes with creamy centers and a splash of citrus are good eating. The lemon and mint give them freshness and zip. Any herb or small size potato will work here. This dish is good warm, at room temperature or hot from the oven, making it a nice recipe for summer gatherings. Potatoes are a familiar sidekick for grilled fish, chicken or steak, but they’re equally welcome on a vegetarian/vegan table too.

Garlicky Greens & Beans

Swiss chard is a beloved green of the Eastern Mediterranean. The rainbow-colored stems and big green leaves reveal its many vitamins and minerals. My favorite way to cook chard is by simply braising it in a pan with olive oil, creamy white beans, garlic and fresh lemon. The lemon and garlic lift all the flavors of this humble, tasty dish. 

Easy Spaghetti with Brown Butter, Lemon & Sage

With four ingredients (not including salt & pepper) and twenty minutes, you can make this simple and delicious pasta dinner. The recipe has the perk of including brown butter too. As the butter browns it becomes warm and toasty. The sage crisps in the butter, losing its astringent edge, infusing the butter with even more cozy flavors. A sprinkling of sea salt (fleur de sel or gray salt is great here) and a squeeze or two from a juicy lemon is a welcome finishing touch. 

Baked Fish with Lemon Herb Sauce

This is a great dish for a casual dinner. It's elegant but unfussy. The herb sauce is fresh and lively with the juicy fish. It's quick and easy too. The sauce can be made with many different herbs such as basil, tarragon or chives.        

A delicious dinner can be had by baking some potatoes and pairing them with the fish. Once the potatoes are almost done baking, the fish is put into the oven to cook. A green salad, peas or steamed green beans are great sidekicks too. There will be extra herb sauce to toss into the green beans or peas if you desire.