Main Meals Archives

Brothy Rice Recipe

Brothy Rice Recipe

This brothy rice recipe is the kind of meal that feels like comfort and care in every spoonful. Naturally nourishing and easy to digest, brothy rice combines gentle aromatic flavours, lean protein, and hydrating broth to support both body and mind. Whether you’re craving something soothing after a long day or looking for a wholesome, balanced meal, this simple dish delivers warmth, flavour, and feel-good nourishment in one cosy bowl. Brothy rice has quietly crossed the line from comfort food staple to full-blown internet obsession. Scroll through food videos or wellness blogs and you’ll see steaming bowls of rice swimming in golden broth, topped with tender chicken, bright greens like Pak Choi, and a sheen that signals both nourishment and [...]

Nadia2026-01-27T14:29:07+01:00January 27, 2026|Chicken, Dairy Free, Main Meals, Post Workout Meals, Protein recipes, Rice|2 Comments

Crispy Rice Salad

Crispy Rice Salad

This crispy rice salad is is a vibrant and refreshing dish that combines crunchy baked rice with a medley of fresh vegetables and zesty flavours. The crispy texture of the rice contrasts beautifully with soft, juicy ingredients like cucumbers, edamame beans and avocado. With a tangy, sweet, salty and spicy dressing that adds a beautiful bold and bright kick that helps bring everything together. Finished off with some grated halloumi for protein and garnished with roasted peanuts and fresh coriander. This salad has the perfect balance of crispy, fresh, tangy, and savoury in every bite. Why I love making this crispy rice salad recipe: I've been meaning to share this crispy rice salad recipe for a while now. I made [...]

Nadia2026-06-16T13:34:40+01:00September 12, 2024|Main Meals, Rice, Vegetarian|1 Comment

Tabbouleh Salad Recipe (Tabouli)

Tabbouleh Salad Recipe (Tabouli)

This Tabbouleh salad recipe is my take on one of the most famous and iconic Middle Eastern Salads out there. You'll almost certainly find Tabbouleh on the menu of every single Middle Eastern restaurant. It's famous for it's simplicity and freshness - a salad that everyone needs to try! What is Tabbouleh? Tabbouleh is a traditional Middle Eastern salad made primarily of finely chopped parsley, tomatoes, mint, onion, and soaked bulgur wheat. It is typically seasoned with olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Originating from the Levant region, abbouleh is a staple in Lebanese and Syrian cuisines, as well as many other Arab countries, like in Iraq where I grew up. It's often served as part of a mezze [...]

Nadia2026-06-16T14:13:28+01:00August 14, 2024|Dairy Free, Nut Free, Salads, Side dishes, Vegan, Vegetarian|0 Comments

Healthy Baked Tortilla Samosas

Healthy Baked Tortilla Samosas

These healthy baked tortilla samosas are a lighter take on the much loved south Asian classic pastry. As well as using tortilla wraps instead of phyllo, they're also baked instead of fried making them even better for you! Typically associated with Indian cuisine, but did you know that samosas are believed to be derived from the Middle East? They were first mentioned in Iranian historian Abolfazl Beyhaqi’s work where he referred to them as 'sanbosag'. They're now popular in many countries around the world. I grew up in the Middle East where we have our own version of samosas, aka Sambousek. Usually filled with minced meat, or the vegetarian version filled with cheese, spinach and herbs. The version I grew [...]

Nadia2024-04-03T17:01:16+01:00April 2, 2024|Dairy Free, Main Meals, Sauces and Dips, Savoury Snacks, Side dishes, snack, Vegan, Vegetarian|2 Comments

Easy Authentic Middle Eastern Falafel

Easy Authentic Middle Eastern Falafel

This easy authentic Middle Eastern Falafel recipe is the only falafel recipe you'll ever need! I grew up eating falafel and have been making falafel for years, this is the best version I've made, so I decided it finally needs its own blog post. Falafel have been part of Middle Eastern cuisine for centuries, with its origins traced back to ancient Egypt. It has since spread across the region and become a staple food in countries like Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, and Jordan. As well as in Iraq, where I grew up. Falafel is often associated with street food culture in the Middle East. Street vendors and small eateries serve freshly fried falafel balls or sandwiches, making it a convenient and [...]

Nadia2024-02-29T19:23:25+01:00February 29, 2024|Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Main Meals, Protein recipes, Side dishes, snack, Vegan, Vegetarian|35 Comments

Moroccan Zaalouk Recipe (Aubergine Salad)

Moroccan Zaalouk Recipe (Aubergine Salad)

This Moroccan Zaalouk recipe makes a great appetiser, side or snack! With a rich, tangy and smokey flavour, I also love serving it with plain vegetables or rice to add a lot of flavour as well as extra nutrients and antioxidants! Zaalouk is a traditional Moroccan dish made primarily from eggplant and tomatoes, flavoured with garlic, olive oil, and various spices such as cumin, paprika, and chili pepper. It's typically served as a side dish or salad and is often enjoyed with bread. Zaalouk can vary slightly in preparation and ingredients depending on the region or personal preferences, but it's generally known for its rich and savoury flavours. It's a popular vegetarian dish in Moroccan cuisine. I love food, all [...]

Nadia2024-02-22T18:46:29+01:00February 22, 2024|Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Nut Free, Salads, Sauces and Dips, Side dishes, Vegan, Vegetarian|9 Comments

Greek Tomato Fritters (Tomatokeftedes)

Greek Tomato Fritters (Tomatokeftedes)

These Greek tomato fritters aka Tomatokeftedes are probably one of the best vegetable fritters I've had! They're so simple to make, yet packed with so much flavour. They make a great appetiser or snack and they also happen to be vegan/dairy-free. We visited Santorini last year for my partner's birthday and it was hands down my favourite city I've travelled to so far. The weather was beautiful, the people were friendly and the food was delicious. Out of everything we ate, the Tomatokeftedes were by far my favourite (their courgette fritters aka Kolokithokeftedes were a close second!). I love any and all fritters, epsecially vegetable packed ones. They're such an easy way to elevate vegetables. You can turn any old [...]

Nadia2024-01-25T16:35:50+01:00January 24, 2024|Dairy Free, Main Meals, Side dishes, snack, Vegan, Vegetarian|13 Comments

Lentil Soup Recipe

Lentil Soup Recipe

Super easy and nourishing soup that's ready in 30 minutes. This lentil soup recipe only calls for a handful of ingredients and there's no blending required (less washing up!). It's also fairly high in protein and fibre. I feel like Iraqi food (and Middle Eastern food in general) doesn't get anywhere near the attention it deserves. I'm probably biased when saying this (because I grew up eating it), but Middle Eastern food is the tastiest, most delicious cuisine ever! It can also be fairly healthy with lots of colourful veggies, protein, spices and fresh herbs. As you can imagine for a hot country like Iraq, soups weren't the most popular thing to eat. This is the one and only soup [...]

Nadia2025-10-23T22:26:37+01:00January 11, 2024|Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Main Meals, Side dishes, Soups, Vegan, Vegetarian|47 Comments

4-Ingredient Homemade Chocolate Truffles

4-Ingredient Homemade Chocolate Truffles

These 4-ingredient homemade chocolate truffles are so easy to make and taste divine! They contain no dairy or coconut milk. Perfect for chocolate hazelnut lovers and makes a great post-dinner treat. These truffles are inspired by the orange truffles I made this time last year for Christmas. Instead of using cashews, I used hazelnuts and omitted the orange zest for a simple hazelnut chocolate truffle version. I feel like I've made a few hazelnut recipes recently, like this chocolate hazelnut granola and these hazelnut protein bars. I don't know what it is, I guess I just LOVE hazelnut and chocolate. To be fair, it is a match made in heaven, I don't think many would argue with that statement. Nutella [...]

Nadia2025-12-04T15:47:54+01:00November 30, 2023|Chocolate, Christmas, Dairy Free, Desserts, Gluten Free, Sandwiches, Vegan, Vegetarian|6 Comments

Courgette Tofu Fritters (High Protein)

Courgette Tofu Fritters (High Protein)

These courgette tofu fritters make a great speedy dinner option, lunch or high protein snack. I usually serve them with roasted vegetables and a side of hummus (for even more protein and plant goodness!). I'm always looking for new, tasty and fun ways to use tofu. It's such a great plant-based protein option and can easily be flavoured with anything you like. It usually gets a bad rep for being boring, but when using the right flavourings (things like spices, garlic, fresh herbs, etc.) and enough of them, you can turn it into so many tasty and nutritious dishes. Tofu is a complete protein source, meaning it contains all nine essential amino acids that the body cannot produce on its [...]