Food Of Egypt – Egyptian Recipes

It doesn’t matter what Egyptians are celebrating, food will be there! And depending on the holiday, cookies may be the star of the occasion like during Eid-ul-Fitr or Christmas.  The butter cookies we’re making here, called Ghorayeba in Egyptian, are bite size cookies that quickly melt in your mouth and leave you desiring for more. […]

My grandfather spent many hours in the kitchen pickling all sorts of vegetables.  And at lunch time, when the family came together for the main meal of the day, my grandpa was the last one to join us because he took his time putting together small dishes of the different salads and pickles he had […]

Egyptians get their “liver fix” either from street food carts or fast food shops. Gathered around food carts at different street corners, they enjoy their stir fried liver served in small plates with fresh chili peppers, lime wedges and warm pitas.  For a quick bite or an order to go, they pick up their liver […]

I bet most of you never heard of jute before. It was news to me too! For the longest time, I thought Molokheya, as we call it in Egyptian, didn’t exist outside Egypt. Wrong! It’s served in other middle eastern countries such as Lebanon where, instead of a soup, it’s a stir fry of  the […]

A lot of us love eating raw onions but do we dare to admit it? And say we admit it, how much of it do we dare eating? This recipe is a great addition to any meal when you’re craving that onion taste but don’t want the lingering after taste. I love this recipe because […]

Typically served from the kitchen of Egyptian families with Turkish ties or ancestors, Sharkaseya is a silky rich sauce to use on top of boiled chicken or veal for that special elegant lunch or dinner. When I got into cooking, my grandma called me into her bedroom and gave me a very precious gift. It […]

A simply boiled chicken seems basic but it’s an art to make.  Although the spices vary from one country to another, many countries have recipes for boiled chicken.  In this recipe, I combine the techniques the Taiwanese use to boil chicken while keeping its meat moist with the Egyptian spices that make this a staple […]

A hearty Okra stew, typically served with lamb or beef, or skip the meat for a vegeterian variation.   My grandma, a busy working woman, didn’t spend much time in the kitchen.  Still, she was known to make two dishes really well and Bamya was one of them.  She was very meticulous in all what […]

One of the most decadent soups you’ll have in Egypt.  Egyptian artichokes has a strong flavor and it stands out in this hearty soup. Although in Egypt soups are not served cold, this soup could be served hot or cold.  The steps are easy and with today’s immersion blender and frozen vegetables, this is the […]

Most probably Fatta relates to the word fetata which means a small piece of bread or what we cutely call it in Egypt: fatfoota.  If you like lamb, this is a hearty dish that you eat then it leaves you at awe reminiscing about the flavors you just savored. This is a dish for all […]

This one is for the beef or lamb lovers.  You must have had Kofta before, maybe you called it Kefteh, kefta or sikh kebab, so many names, all pointing to the same deliciousness!  This is the burger meat of the Middle East.  Adding lamb to the recipe gives it a richer flavor but feel free […]

An Egyptian dessert, khoshaf, turned into an exotic sauce for your ice cream.  It’s a crowd pleaser for all ages. Here’s a twist on serving khoshaf.  Khoshaf is a dried fruits salad typically served in Ramadan.  Walk down your supermarket’s ice cream aisle and the choices are endless. But have you ever met anyone who […]

One of the simplest and tastiest ways to enjoy chicken and without adding any extra fat, oil or butter. When the smell of roasted chicken fills the house, you know you’re in for a good meal.   Serving Ideas: On a winter day, start the meal with a soup, then add a salad or a […]

A truly mediterranean dish, a refreshing combination of feta cheese and green fava beans. This dish takes me back to the many many visits to my grandma’s home.  My grandma was known for serving a huge meal with beautifully decorated dishes.  What she did to this feta cheese dish, how pretty it looked and the […]

A refreshing, fragrant dip that can be served all year round. And for me, since I <3 yogurt, I can eat it with every meal! Serving Ideas: A dip served with toasted or fried pita bread triangles, a side dish to cool down any spicy meal or with grilled meats especially chicken. Serving Size: 6 […]

The staple of the Egyptian breakfast,”fool” is how it’s pronounced and it means Fava Beans. These days, making it from scratch, the dried fava beans, is not necessary. Instead, you can buy it in cans from any market or specialized Middle Eastern grocery store. Foooooool, with that many o’s, is how you hear the street […]

Olives are Holy! If you ask me, they belong at every meal except desert unless someone already came up with this amazing recipe for an olive ice cream. I bet if I google it, I’ll find it! My favorite memory of olives and Egypt comes from my relative who went to school with me. When […]

“Sham El Nessim”, which translates to “Smelling the Breeze”, is a national holiday in Egypt.  It falls on the Monday following the Coptic Easter.  Some tell you that this celebration dates back to the time of the Pharaohs. The family rituals for this holiday are lovely and easy: pack up a picnic, go out to […]

I’ve yet to find a better way to serve Smoked Herring. This recipe is the best and, trust me, I’m not saying that because it’s my recipe. Preparing the fish is the hardest step but, still, a very easy one. It’s quick to make and it stays in the fridge for about a week or […]

In a culture that is rich in celebrations and family get-togethers, small dishes are great additions on those banquet tables.  They’re also great starters on a mezzeh / appetizers table. Served at room temperature, those marinated vegetables are refreshing.  When picking tomatoes for this salad, choose them firm and in season for full flavor.  For […]