Side dishes

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

2024-01-25T16:35:50+01:00January 24, 2024|Dairy Free, Main Meals, Side dishes, snack, Vegan, Vegetarian|10 Comments

Iraqi Lentil Soup (Vegan)

Super easy and nourishing soup that's ready in 30 minutes. This Iraqi lentil soup 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 know I'm 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 [...]

Pomegranate Molasses Roasted Brussels Sprouts

An easy Brussels Sprouts recipe to make this festive season - these pomegranate molasses roasted brussels sprouts are packed with flavours, texture and served on a smooth cream cheese base. Super easy to make and guaranteed to be a crowed pleaser.  Some of you may already know this, but I'm half English, half Middle Eastern. I've spent most of my life feeling out of place, like I don't belong. The first 17 years of my life I spent growing up in Baghdad, Iraq. I was one of the very few people I knew or had even heard of from mixed backgrounds. Out of my WHOLE school, there were only 2 other mixed girls.  Iraq is a very traditional country with [...]

2023-12-11T19:14:30+01:00December 11, 2023|Christmas, Gluten Free, Side dishes, Vegan, Vegetarian|0 Comments

Cauliflower & Chestnut Soup (Vegan & Gluten-free)

This cauliflower & chestnut soup is delicious & warming. Perfect to enjoy during the festive season or even as a starter on Christmas day. There's nothing more comforting than a warming bowl of soup on a freezing cold day. The past week has been so cold that I'm finding myself craving nothing but soup, tea and hot chocolate.  I don't know about you, but we still have another week before Christmas Day and I've already overindulged way too much. It's just too tempting not to want to try all the Christmas foods and treats that pop up in supermarkets shelves around this time of year. The cold weather isn't helping with my insatiable appetite either. I definitely notice I feel [...]

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 [...]

Smashed Chilli Garlic Broccoli

A delicious way to enjoy broccoli. You'll never be bored of broccoli again once you try this smashed chilli garlic broccoli. It's so delicious and you can change it around with different flavours and toppings.  Anything smashed seems to be all the rage at the moment. It started with potatoes, then moved on to sprouts, now there seems to be a smashed version of every veggie!  The trend has spread for good reason - smashing your vegetables and roasting them just seems to make them 10x more tasty and moreish! Especially when flavoured with things like butter, garlic and in the case of this recipe chilli and crunchy seaweed. I don't think I'll ever want to eat broccoli any other [...]

Vegan Cabbage Pancakes with a Chutney Chickpea Dip

Delicious vegan cabbage pancakes lightly spiced and served with a creamy chutney chickpea dip. You're definitely going to want to try this recipe!  I'm very much into savoury vegetable pancakes/fritters at the moment. A couple of weeks ago I made these simple vegetable fritters, which went down a storm, so I thought I would make another version  I find fritters an easy way to prepare vegetables that's a lot more fun, tasty and exciting compared to plain boiled or even roasted vegetables. Don't get me wrong, I love my roasted veggies, but every now and then I like to change things up a little. This recipe is an easy, tasty way to level up your veggie game!  Cabbage is one [...]

Tofu Rice Dumplings (Vegan & Gluten-free)

Delicious parcels that are so quick and easy to make. These tofu rice dumplings make a great main meal or a protein packed snack/side dish. Tofu is one of my favourite ingredients to use in main meals. Even though I'm not fully vegan, I do follow a mainly plant-based diet. I find tofu one of the best and easiest ways to add protein to meals without resorting to using ultra processed fake meats. Tofu can also be high in calcium, especially if it's set in a calcium solution. Calcium is another nutrient that can be lacking in a poorly planed plant-based diet or if you don't eat things like dairy and boney fish. Tofu is a great way to make [...]

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