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November 14, 2018

Eggplant Salad

Eggplant Salad Everyone has heard of using lettuce as a base for salad before, but eggplant? If you’re looking for a fresh new item to impress family or friends at your next get-together, this dish is a sure bet. It is nutritious, healthy, and delicious. It also shows that you know what you’re doing with eggplants, which are arguably one of the vegetables that people run away from the most. So…Why Eggplants? As a cook, one of the questions I get most often is “why should I use eggplants?” Well, eggplants are actually one of the most nutritious, colorful, and versatile vegetables around! They are great additions to a variety of dishes, ranging from stews and salads to kebabs and much more. Eggplants have been used for centuries in a variety of dishes, and today they still star in many culinary dishes from appetizers to main courses. Cooking With Eggplants Eggplants are a versatile food. You can prepare (either slice or cube them) right away, then either throw them on the grill, bake them in the oven, or saute them. Throw a little marinade on them on the grill, and they can basically be eaten as-is. Otherwise, they can be added to a dish that you’re about to serve fresh on the table. You can even cook them ahead of time and refrigerate them to store for use later on. How Do You Cook Eggplants? Really, the sky’s the limit! Thanks to recipes that have been tried, tasted, accepted, and rejected, there are many ways to cook this delicious and […]

Blog, Recipes

by yaldoorana

October 24, 2018

Baba Ganoush: Food Fit for a King

Baba Ganoush: Food Fit for a King Baba ganoush has been the center of much controversy. In fact, some people even say that it’s started wars! Baba ganoush is native to the Middle East. However, there is some debate over which culture it appeared in first. Both the Lebanese and Levantine cultures claim ownership of this exotic and popular dish. Adding to the complexity of the equation is the fact that eggplant, the main ingredient in the dish, is native to India. While the debate over where it originated rages on, there’s no denying that this tasty, creamy, and low-fat dish has since spread far and wide over the world. You don’t have to retrace the Spice Route to find it. Instead, just come to my kitchen! Whether you’re looking to impress your vegan friends or you’re just searching for a tasty and perhaps healthier alternative as a snack, you too can dine like royalty when you prepare this simple but elegant dish. If you stop to think for a minute about all the appetizers, dips, and spreads you normally eat, chances are you will name the most popular one: hummus. Hummus is arguably the star of all Middle Eastern spreads. You can think of it as the popular kid at the lunch table – cool, composed, and always fashionable. But while hummus certainly steals the limelight, the story of how baba ganouj came to be is a much more heartwarming story, and it will give you a newfound appreciation for this lesser-known relative of hummus. Baba Ganoush’s Beginnings Before […]

Blog, Recipes

by yaldoorana

September 29, 2018

Looking To Impress? Try Pomegranate Salmon

I know what it’s like to want to impress guests with my cooking. In fact, one of the greatest pleasures I get from cooking is seeing how people react to my food. From the exclamations of “This is so good!” to the way my guests serve themselves seconds, I enjoy the food being enjoyed just as much as I enjoy preparing it. This is why I am always looking for new ways to prepare food. Maybe it’s why you’re here looking for new recipes, as well. Do you have a gal or guy that you want to captivate with your mad cooking skills? They say the way to a person’s heart is through food, so if you have someone on your mind, maybe a delectable meal is just what will win them over? Or, maybe you’ve already found the one but you have yet to convince their mother that you are here to stay. Don’t worry. Any mother-in-law can be won over with the right kind of cooking and mouth-watering recipe. Whether you’re cooking for youreslf or for guests, you want to make a scrumptious meal, right? I am often looking for ways to prepare tasty and unique dishes, especially with healthy ingredients. The thing is that it’s not always that easy to come up with recipes. I was talking about this with a friend the other day. I wanted to prepare this type of fish for a meal with my girlfriends but I was at a loss on how to come up with a unique recipe that they have […]

Blog, Recipes

by yaldoorana

September 1, 2018

FALL OFF THE BONE – RIGHT INTO MY MOUTH BABY BACK RIBS

Summer’s coming to a close. But, hey, don’t be sad about it – it’s Labor Day Cookout Time! So, what are your plans for this holiday weekend? If you’re anything like me, you’ll be raising the roof – in the great outdoors! And you know what that means — when there’s technically no roof to raise, the sky’s the limit! Just like we do every year at this time, we’re planning a huge gathering at the lake with family, friends, and even crashers who simply cannot resist our fall off the bone good baby back ribs. All that mouthwatering, juicy sauce dripping over each and every flavorful chunk of succulent pork – heavenly! You know, I remember when I was a kid at Labor Day. My eyes were always a bit misty about summer ending, friends from other schools going off until next summer, those long days lazing by the lake now but a memory – until we do it all again next year! Sure, my friends and I were always a little down in the dumps about the close of another summer vacay, but we were also anxious and excited about embarking on a new school year. The possibilities that came with a whole new session were endless. And there was that crispness in the air that could only mean autumn was right around the corner. There we all were – my whole family, my besties, and I – all taking advantage of the last sun of summer. Taking dips in the lake, us kids soaking up the rays […]

Blog, Recipes

by yaldoorana

August 30, 2018

Quesadillas Blog

Mmmmmm…..quesadillas. Just rolls off the tongue, doesn’t it? It may be a bit dramatic to call it a perfect food, but my experience is that it gets pretty close. Aside from the virtually infinite variations, you can put together, these little pockets of goodness anywhere. They are versatile enough to please a crowd or satisfy the whole family for a quick weeknight dinner. Additionally, most any diet can be accommodated with the right combination. From vegan to low-fat, even hardcore keto followers can make the most of these if you can land on the right tortilla and believe me, there are an abundance of options out there for tortillas. Don’t even get me started on the fillings! You can jump on the farm-to-table revolution or tempt with a sweeter variety. Either way, the possibilities stretch as far as your imagination. My kids love fewer vegetables and more cheese. My friends prefer to have more vegetables to offset the guilt during our girls’ nights. I think we justify partaking of all the bubbly by bringing food. And speaking of bringing food, I took these to a Super Bowl party where even the burliest meat eaters gobbled it up, but you can take this veggie-filled delight to the company Christmas party, or if you are feeling really dainty, serve them up as an alternative to a tea sandwich. Based on their popularity at the football bonanza, though, it has become a tradition, and we have brought the vegetarian every year since. Feel free to add or take away any of your favorite […]

Blog, Recipes

by yaldoorana

June 25, 2018

Turkey Burger down memory lane!

This healthy, delicious turkey burger recipe is one of my favorites, and it blows my mind to think that some of the ingredients have been around for thousands of years. Cumin originated in Iran and the Mediterranean. Like the mint and dill in this recipe, it was once so highly valued that it was used as money. The ancient Greeks were crazy about its pungent flavor and rich aroma. A dish of cumin sat on the kitchen table right next to the ketchup and Parthenon-shaped salt and pepper shakers. Sumac dates back at least 5,000 years to the Middle East. Civilizations all over the world have used sumac to spice up their food or relieve their various ailments. The clever Egyptians even found cosmetic uses for it. Anyone who’s in dire need of a makeover should start with sumac. Whenever we make these burgers, my husband and I take a stroll down memory lane. We’ve always been into food and cooking, but early in our marriage grilling was our go-to method — every night. You name it, and we marinated it and grilled it. Our friends would call and ask, “What are you grilling tonight?” and fish for invitations. Our backyard would soon be flooded with couples, cute babies and hyperactive kids. Wait. What am I saying? The same thing happened last weekend when we grilled turkey burgers! Happy Cooking 🙂

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by yaldoorana

June 11, 2018

Burger Heaven Recipe Blog

Juicy, gourmet and the ultimate hangover burger! Just a few tings that come to mind as I enjoy this homemade burger. Oh and that saucy sweet mess! The sauce is honestly a taste of heaven. It gives it life and one bite doesn’t cut it. It is finger licking good. You think a burger is a burger is a burger, right? No! You haven’t had a burger until you’ve tried this burger recipe. The combination of the caramelized onions are nothing short of marvelous. My family and I spent Memorial Day at my sister in Laws lake house and what better than to grill fresh, gourmet, homemade burgers. Let me tell you, the kids smelled the burgers as we grilled them all the way from the lake. It was clear that the situation was dire when they jumped off the boat to come running and eat the juicy burger they’ve long endured. Once you’ve made this burger recipe, you will never buy a frozen burger ever again. Homemade burgers are nothing short of burger heaven. Nothing screams summer than grilling burgers. Happy cooking! Enjoy Rana’s Kitchen recipe of the day!

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by yaldoorana

June 11, 2018

Chicken Tikka Recipe/Blog

Add a little spice to your life this summer. Who doesn’t love Middle Eastern food or grilled Middle Eastern food for that matter? This recipe screams flavor. This is a great meal or appetizer. I love grilling and I especially love to grill chicken skewers. My kids love this recipe because it has a little kick to it and they also enjoy eating it with the corn salad. The corn salad flavors dance in my mouth. I know that sounds silly. But I’m telling you, the chicken skewers and the salad together are a beautiful thing. I was in Florida last week with a few girlfriends. We stayed at one of my friends condo and we ended up grilling one night. I decided to make this chicken tikka recipe along with the corn salad and of course it was a hit. My friends ate it right off the skewers. It was so easy to marinade and grill. Everyone had a small task. I put the marinade together in a bowl. Someone cut up the chicken, another cut up the zucchini… and so on. Team work makes the dream work! It was actually a lot of fun, especially if you are drinking during the process. Haha! Happy cooking and enjoy Rana’s Kitchen recipe of the day!

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by yaldoorana

May 22, 2018

Chicken Oregano Blog

You will make this dish every week once you’ve tried it. It is so good and full of flavor. My husband loves chicken so I’m always looking for different ways to make a delicious chicken dish. I have to say this is probably his top choice. It’s a perfect dish for a rainy night. You can make it with drumsticks, chicken breast or any kind of chicken. I like to make it with bone-in because bones give flavor. You can also grill or bake the chicken. I happen to cook it on a skillet on medium to low heat so the flavors can really soak in and cook together. Then I put it in the oven for about 25 to 30 minuted at 350º. Chicken thighs make for an easy and inexpensive meal. Not only that, they are finger licking good. I also like to make this dish over rice and a vegetable, preferably roasted carrots. I know, I know, I’m a rice girl. I probably incorporate rice with most of my meals. I love rice! It just goes so well with the sauce. The zest of the sauce and oregano flavor goes perfect with boiled white rice. Roasted carrots compliment this dish because if you are like me, I have to have some kind of vegetable with any meal. When you marry the chicken, rice and carrots together, they make for a fantastic meal. Enjoy Rana’s Kitchen recipe of the day 🙂

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by yaldoorana

May 1, 2018

Beef Kabob Recipe Blog

What’s a summer grill without beef kabobs? Nothing screams summer then when I grill! This is the easiest and most mouthwatering recipe. It’s also a great finger food idea. Who doesn’t love meat on a stick? My summer BBQ’s have to be clean and easy. If you know me, you know I like to make everything easy to eat and little mess. I love anything on a stick because you just eat it and toss the stick. Top sirloin chunks flavored in fresh garlic and olive oil rub is the simplest recipe. Kabob is the perfect dinner for any summer meal. The longer you marinade, the taster it will be. Anytime you marinade meat for a long time the flavors really soak in. Having said that, you also don’t want to over marinate either: anything over 6 hours will give you mushy meat. I used stainless steel skewers but I usually like to use bamboo skewers because you can just throw them away for easy cleaning. If you are using bamboo skewers, I would say while the meat is in the fridge being marinated, put the skewers in water. I do this so that the sticks don’t burn and fall apart while cooking. Not only is this recipe succulent, it’s also pretty when paired with colorful peppers. This is a dish the whole family will love and enjoy. When you take your first bite, you will know what I’m talking about 🙂 Enjoy Rana’s Kitchen recipe of the day 🙂

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by yaldoorana

Eggplant Salad

Baba Ganoush: Food Fit for a King

Looking To Impress? Try Pomegranate Salmon

FALL OFF THE BONE – RIGHT INTO MY MOUTH BABY BACK RIBS

Quesadillas Blog

Turkey Burger down memory lane!

Burger Heaven Recipe Blog

Chicken Tikka Recipe/Blog

Chicken Oregano Blog

Beef Kabob Recipe Blog

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