I have been having a 33 year love affair. With cauliflower. In the UK there is always the cliché about children not eating their vegetables and I have no idea why they wouldn’t. Maybe, it’s because they aren’t deep fried.
Kofta Sunniya
This dish reminds me of my eldest brother, Rory. This seemed to be one of his very favourite meals when we were growing up. My mother used to make these delicious little towers of meat, tomato and potato for us to dig into for our supper. Sometimes she would add green peppers too. I used to be committed to the ‘tower’ format, but most recently I just make layers in a pan.
Mid-week Maqlooba
‘Come on you too, Otis’, I am say trying to get my 1-year-old son to put his hands on the upturned cooking pot. Otis reluctantly dabs his hands onto the pot and then goes back to clapping, which he is rather good at. We lift the pot and there on the serving plate is a is the maqlooba. Roasted carrots, cauliflower and aubergines glisten through spiced rice that has all been cooked together.
Gazan Seabass
The Mediterranean is well known for its delicious seabass. And the best way I have had it cooked is in Gaza. My mother has a wonderful photograph of her and her sisters and cousins holidaying in Gaza wearing fashionable 60s bikinis and Jackie Kennedy-style scarves over their heads secured with sunglasses.
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Fattoush
Fattoush is a salad. And this salad tastes like home. As a child I would finish the dinner on my plate and then finish the rest of this salad straight out of the serving bowl. I still serve it in the same old cracked bowl my Mama used to, which she handed down to me when my husband and I bought our first home.
Aubergine & Olive Kubbeh Pie
I love this pie. It’s so delicious and such a pleasure to make. It’s also a real show stopper so it is a great option for a Birthday meal of weekend family get-together.
Salata Arabia
When I eat this salad I am transported back to the Jordan Valley, where I spend a lot of time with farmers who are being supported by the livelihoods programme I run. As I get out of the car at 8am into the perfectly dry heat, I am ushered over to an upturned pallet that has a bowl of this salad on it with a plate of Labneh, fresh and warm bread and sweet sweet tea. They grow all the ingredients for this salad right here; fresh and proud. I sigh with relief as I have missed breakfast to get here so early, I have been in the car for hours. I tuck in, while hearing about how things have been since my last visit. The good, the bad and the ugly.
Read MoreRoasted Red Pepper & Caramelised Shallot Hummus
Since being diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis six months ago, I have done a lot of reading and a lot of learning. I have completely changed the way I eat, drink, move and think. One of the most fun things has been creating new recipes and putting them all on this blog, ensuring that I can enjoy all my favourite foods and stay healthy. However, I have still been struggling with pains and mobility restrictions and this can be a real mental and emotional challenge.
The Olive Tree Kitchen 