Side dishes Archives

Halloumi and Pomegranate Salad

Halloumi and Pomegranate Salad

This vibrant Halloumi and Pomegranate Salad brings together warm, chilli-honey glazed halloumi with a sweet-tart pop of fresh pomegranate seeds, juicy tomatoes, and crisp cucumbers. Tossed in a velvety pomegranate-almond dressing, it is the perfect example of how you can make a hearty salad that’s as delicious as it is satisfying. Why I love making this halloumi and pomegranate salad: One of the biggest challenges when serving a salad as a main meal is ensuring it is hearty enough to keep you full, but also tasty enough to keep you satisfied. While grilled chicken or salmon are the common go-to protein options to add to a salad, I actually prefer using halloumi. It's hearty, easy to cook and you [...]

Nadia2026-06-16T14:35:18+01:00June 16, 2026|Gluten Free, Main Meals, Salads, Side dishes, Vegetarian|0 Comments

Air Fryer Halloumi Fries

Air Fryer Halloumi Fries

This air fryer halloumi fries recipe takes the Mediterranean’s favourite "squeaky cheese" and transforms it into a high-protein, spice-infused snack that's as versatile as it is moreish. Whether you’re looking for a gourmet side dish or a satisfying mid-day bite, these halloumi fries deliver a perfect balance of salty, savoury, and heat in every single mouthful. Why I love making these air fryer halloumi fries: I usually grab a sweet treat when I start feeling peckish, but I'm actively trying to have more savoury snacks on hand for when I feel I need a little something to get me through until my next meal. These halloumi fries offer flavour, satisfaction and satiety. All the things I look for in a [...]

Nadia2026-06-16T15:03:04+01:00May 12, 2026|Gluten Free, Nut Free, Post Workout Meals, Protein recipes, Side dishes, snack, Vegetarian|0 Comments

Chickpea Cucumber Salad

Chickpea Cucumber Salad

If you’re looking for a meal that is fresh, satisfying, nutritious, and incredibly versatile, this chickpea cucumber salad deserves a permanent spot in your weekly rotation. Packed with chickpeas, juicy plum tomatoes, crisp cucumber, sharp red onions, fragrant parsley, and creamy feta cheese - all brought together with a bright olive oil and lemon dressing. Why I love making this chickpea cucumber salad recipe: This Mediterranean-inspired chickpea cucumber salad is more than just a side dish, it works beautifully as a filling main meal, a colourful lunch option, or a reliable meal-prep staple that actually tastes better as the days go on. Unlike leafy salads that wilt quickly or leave you hungry an hour later, chickpeas provide substance and staying [...]

Nadia2026-04-08T21:49:34+01:00February 19, 2026|Gluten Free, Main Meals, Nut Free, Salads, Side dishes, Vegetarian|1 Comment

Viral Cucumber Salad

Viral Cucumber Salad

You've probably seen the viral cucumber salad that's all over social media by now. Literally everyone seems to be making it, or a version of it. I didn't want to feel like I'm missing out, so I gave it a try - with my own little spin of course. What is the viral cucumber salad: This trend started when a food content creator, Logan (aka the cucumber guy), shared his take on an Asian cucumber salad. Now everyone seems to be making it, or at least making their own version of it. I remember a couple of years ago (it may have been during lock down) when a similar version of a cucumber salad went viral - a smashed cucumber [...]

Nadia2025-10-15T12:36:45+01:00August 25, 2024|Gluten Free, Sauces and Dips, Side dishes, snack, Vegan, Vegetarian|0 Comments

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 [...]