[Nawal]

Tiffers I see you down there Come out and play now!!!

Stalker! LOL

[wife_of_mahmoud]

I made this last night with zucchini, OMg delish!


Yellow Squash Fritters with Mint and Harissa

Recipe: Serves 4
- 1 pound small yellow squash, grated (You can use green zucchini as well)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 small bunch parsley, chopped
- ½ tsp cumin, freshly ground
- ½ tsp coriander seeds, freshly ground
- 1 tsp Harissa paste
- 10 mint leaves, chopped
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Olive oil

Squeeze the grated yellow squash dry by wring it out in a towel. (Using a towel is the best way I’ve found to get rid of the excess water, which you can use to water your plants)

In a large bowl, combine the yellow squash with the rest of the ingredients. Heat a film of olive oil in a nonstick sauté pan over medium heat. For each fritter, pour a generous tablespoon of the squash batter into the pan. Turn them over after the bottom turns golden. Cook on the other side until golden. Drain on paper towels. Serve right away.

This looks yummy, Henia ! And your timing is impeccable -- we are experiencing a yellow squash explosion in the garden. I may just have to make these tonight....

[Tunisia216]

Stop stalking my stalking

Tiffers I see you down there Come out and play now!!!

Stalker! LOL

[wife_of_mahmoud]

I made this last night with zucchini, OMg delish!

Yellow Squash Fritters with Mint and Harissa

Recipe: Serves 4
- 1 pound small yellow squash, grated (You can use green zucchini as well)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 small bunch parsley, chopped
- ½ tsp cumin, freshly ground
- ½ tsp coriander seeds, freshly ground
- 1 tsp Harissa paste
- 10 mint leaves, chopped
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Olive oil

Squeeze the grated yellow squash dry by wring it out in a towel. (Using a towel is the best way I’ve found to get rid of the excess water, which you can use to water your plants)

In a large bowl, combine the yellow squash with the rest of the ingredients. Heat a film of olive oil in a nonstick sauté pan over medium heat. For each fritter, pour a generous tablespoon of the squash batter into the pan. Turn them over after the bottom turns golden. Cook on the other side until golden. Drain on paper towels. Serve right away.

This looks yummy, Henia ! And your timing is impeccable -- we are experiencing a yellow squash explosion in the garden. I may just have to make these tonight....

OK I made these tonight, the results are in, and the verdict is -- a HIT !

I didn't have harissa so I used a little picante sauce (salsa) instead; also I neglected to include the mint. But they were still delicious !

The part where the recipe says you can use the water squeezed out of the squash to water your plants made me laugh -- come on, it's not THAT much water ! And wringing out a wet towel over my schefflera seems a bit messy.

But I have a better way to squeeze the water out of the squash -- try a potato ricer (a gadget that looks kind of like a really big garlic press.) After struggling for several years to find a fast, simple way to squeeze spinach dry, I found this suggestion in a cooking magazine, and I am so glad I took their advice ! It's fantastically easy and it works better than anything else I've ever tried. I never even use it for potatoes, but I use it all the time to squeeze-dry spinach, squash, etc. I will never go back to squeezing veggies any other way ! (BTW I picked mine up for $9.99 at Target.)

This post has been edited by wife_of_mahmoud: 29 August 2008 - 03:22 AM

[RAKASA]

But I have a better way to squeeze the water out of the squash -- try a potato ricer (a gadget that looks kind of like a really big garlic press.) After struggling for several years to find a fast, simple way to squeeze spinach dry, I found this suggestion in a cooking magazine, and I am so glad I took their advice ! It's fantastically easy and it works better than anything else I've ever tried. I never even use it for potatoes, but I use it all the time to squeeze-dry spinach, squash, etc. I will never go back to squeezing veggies any other way ! (BTW I picked mine up for $9.99 at Target.)

I've never used one of these and wondered what it really might be useful for! Thanks for the tip - cuz, you know, who "rices" potatoes anyway?

edit for spelling error

This post has been edited by ME~n~HIM: 29 August 2008 - 07:41 AM

[tanyakaraman]

Sorry I didn't get a minute to reply until now....

Well...Lasani's was awesome & I'm SO glad you told me about it!!! Much thanks! I found so many things in there that I have been looking for...everything from henna to chopped pistachios to the kunafa food coloring...and lots of other very interesting things I want to try . They didn't have the nabulsi cheese, but the guy called his supplier & ordered it for me on the spot! He said that if I stop back in a day or 2, they should have some in stock.

Soo...I made a trial run of the kunefe using a mixture of mozarella, ricotta, and half & half and it was very good! Not exactly like Antakya, but very good anyway. My kids and husband loved it. I can't wait to try it again with the correct cheese. Also, not sure if they do this anywhere else, but in Turkey, they serve the kunefe with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. Sooo delish!!

Yes, you're right, it is Paterson LOL my bad....yes I love it there too. If only it weren't such a haul. One time we went up there in the winter, just after a fairly heavy snow. We stayed until after dark and got on the highway to come back home only to find the highway shut down because of ice! We totally lucked onto another route after driving aimlessly for an hour or so. As much as I love visiting there, I wasn't too happy over the prospect of having to spend the night...

Yeah, I know what you mean about Smyrna...there is a very small population but its definitely more "obscure" than other places. There is a Turkish family that owns Smyrna Pizza (they love Ozzy & give him free pizzas LOL...I sent him there to "buy" dinner last night), and I think a Pakistani guy who owns the 7-11, but that's it that I know of. Ozzy was really frustrated over the job search too. He did finally land a position in Sears, but he was/is just very frustrated in general about how slowly the wheels seem to move around here....

How is that going? I'm not sure how long your hubby has been here.. I thought about moving back to Smyrna to be closer to family, but I don't know... a town like Smyrna..... my arab husband named Jihed..... What do you think? Not that Middletown has been a lot better... Certainly hard to find work around here for him.

Pederson, NJ? Did you mean Paterson, NJ? We were talking about that just yesterday in another MENA thread! I love me some Paterson!! You are right.. It's totally "Little Turkey" or "Little Syria " or Little Egypt or Little Morocco.. Very heavy populations there and you can get anything you could get in a MENA country.

Can't wait to hear your update! I'm hoping that you can find it somewhere in Delaware.. Would certainly save a 2 hour or more drive to Paterson!! *fingers crossed for you*

Wow, we are leading parallel lives! I grew up in Middletown and my family still lives there etc.

Now that you mention the Dollar Store and the redneck bar, I know exactly where Lasani's is! I can picture the shopping center in my head LOL...guess that says a thing or 2 about me

Also good to know there is another halal meat place. Up until now, the butcher in Dover (I believe it's called Sameera?) is the only place in DE we have been able to find lamb...

When my husband first came here, we were driving 3+ hours up to Pederson, NJ to do our grocery shopping! There is a whole middle eastern section of town there complete with markets, butchers, restaurants, barbers, the whole works! Its really awesome but that drive sure got old fast. We'd pack the kids in the car and make a day of it...told them we were going to "little Turkey" LoL

Anyways, thanks a bunch & I'll give you an update tomorrow on how the great DE cheese hunt goes

This post has been edited by tanyakaraman: 29 August 2008 - 08:44 AM

[tanyakaraman]

mmmmm....that's making me hungry! I may just make that for dinner tonight! Thank you Henia

I made this last night with zucchini, OMg delish!


Yellow Squash Fritters with Mint and Harissa

Recipe: Serves 4
- 1 pound small yellow squash, grated (You can use green zucchini as well)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 small bunch parsley, chopped
- ½ tsp cumin, freshly ground
- ½ tsp coriander seeds, freshly ground
- 1 tsp Harissa paste
- 10 mint leaves, chopped
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Olive oil

Squeeze the grated yellow squash dry by wring it out in a towel. (Using a towel is the best way I’ve found to get rid of the excess water, which you can use to water your plants)

In a large bowl, combine the yellow squash with the rest of the ingredients. Heat a film of olive oil in a nonstick sauté pan over medium heat. For each fritter, pour a generous tablespoon of the squash batter into the pan. Turn them over after the bottom turns golden. Cook on the other side until golden. Drain on paper towels. Serve right away.

[Tunisia216]

WOOHOO!! I told you the big guy in Lasani's rocks my socks!! He really has anything you could want and if he doesn't he will order it! He's also a halal butcher so all the meat in there is 100% halal!! I am so glad that you found it and I think it will save you a lot of trips to Paterson. We save Paterson for special occasions because of the length of the drive and just go to Lasani for most other things. I don't know if your hubby likes spicy but he has the best Harissa I've found (Tunisian hot tomato paste like sauce) and his prices can't be beat for most things! Just be careful with some of the grains/rice/couscous I did find a small bug one time but in truth the bag was totally sealed ( I checked it ) so it must have gotten in there before he got it, so for that I can't totally blame him.

We are going to go up this weekend to get some things for Ramadan so I'll wave if I see you in there

Who hasn't gotten lost going to Paterson? Those roads are hopeless... I hate Jersey driving, but it's worth getting lost.

I only tried Smyrna Pizza one time and it was okay but I'm forever loyal to Bella Villa Ernesto and Tina are old school buddies so I have to go in there.. Jihed's in love with their food at Trevis I just wish it wasn't sooo expensive!! But Bella Villa is much cheaper and Momma knows my orders without me having to speak!!

There is supposed to be an Islamic society / mosque in Smyrna but I never checked it out?
Masjid Uz Zumar
Rt 1, Nbr 500
Smyrna - Delaware - 19977

Have you? We mostly stick to the one in Newcastle off Churchman's Road, by the German club.

I know all about the job frustrations and their frustrations at how slow things move here I hope that things work out and that he can get a position he enjoys really soon inshallah!!

Sorry I didn't get a minute to reply until now....

Well...Lasani's was awesome & I'm SO glad you told me about it!!! Much thanks! I found so many things in there that I have been looking for...everything from henna to chopped pistachios to the kunafa food coloring...and lots of other very interesting things I want to try . They didn't have the nabulsi cheese, but the guy called his supplier & ordered it for me on the spot! He said that if I stop back in a day or 2, they should have some in stock.

Soo...I made a trial run of the kunefe using a mixture of mozarella, ricotta, and half & half and it was very good! Not exactly like Antakya, but very good anyway. My kids and husband loved it. I can't wait to try it again with the correct cheese. Also, not sure if they do this anywhere else, but in Turkey, they serve the kunefe with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. Sooo delish!!

Yes, you're right, it is Paterson LOL my bad....yes I love it there too. If only it weren't such a haul. One time we went up there in the winter, just after a fairly heavy snow. We stayed until after dark and got on the highway to come back home only to find the highway shut down because of ice! We totally lucked onto another route after driving aimlessly for an hour or so. As much as I love visiting there, I wasn't too happy over the prospect of having to spend the night...

Yeah, I know what you mean about Smyrna...there is a very small population but its definitely more "obscure" than other places. There is a Turkish family that owns Smyrna Pizza (they love Ozzy & give him free pizzas LOL...I sent him there to "buy" dinner last night), and I think a Pakistani guy who owns the 7-11, but that's it that I know of. Ozzy was really frustrated over the job search too. He did finally land a position in Sears, but he was/is just very frustrated in general about how slowly the wheels seem to move around here....

This post has been edited by Ash * Habibati: 29 August 2008 - 09:14 AM

[Nawal]

Are you insulting NJ roads ya magnoonah!?! Paterson is a nightmare but drive up a hill and you can see which direction to head OR stop by a friendly neighboorhood bodega...I'm sure they would give you the right direction....

WOOHOO!! I told you the big guy in Lasani's rocks my socks!! He really has anything you could want and if he doesn't he will order it! He's also a halal butcher so all the meat in there is 100% halal!! I am so glad that you found it and I think it will save you a lot of trips to Paterson. We save Paterson for special occasions because of the length of the drive and just go to Lasani for most other things. I don't know if your hubby likes spicy but he has the best Harissa I've found (Tunisian hot tomato paste like sauce) and his prices can't be beat for most things! Just be careful with some of the grains/rice/couscous I did find a small bug one time but in truth the bag was totally sealed ( I checked it ) so it must have gotten in there before he got it, so for that I can't totally blame him.

We are going to go up this weekend to get some things for Ramadan so I'll wave if I see you in there

Who hasn't gotten lost going to Paterson? Those roads are hopeless... I hate Jersey driving, but it's worth getting lost.

I only tried Smyrna Pizza one time and it was okay but I'm forever loyal to Bella Villa Ernesto and Tina are old school buddies so I have to go in there.. Jihed's in love with their food at Trevis I just wish it wasn't sooo expensive!! But Bella Villa is much cheaper and Momma knows my orders without me having to speak!!

There is supposed to be an Islamic society / mosque in Smyrna but I never checked it out?
Masjid Uz Zumar
Rt 1, Nbr 500
Smyrna - Delaware - 19977

Have you? We mostly stick to the one in Newcastle off Churchman's Road, by the German club.

I know all about the job frustrations and their frustrations at how slow things move here I hope that things work out and that he can get a position he enjoys really soon inshallah!!

Sorry I didn't get a minute to reply until now....

Well...Lasani's was awesome & I'm SO glad you told me about it!!! Much thanks! I found so many things in there that I have been looking for...everything from henna to chopped pistachios to the kunafa food coloring...and lots of other very interesting things I want to try . They didn't have the nabulsi cheese, but the guy called his supplier & ordered it for me on the spot! He said that if I stop back in a day or 2, they should have some in stock.

Soo...I made a trial run of the kunefe using a mixture of mozarella, ricotta, and half & half and it was very good! Not exactly like Antakya, but very good anyway. My kids and husband loved it. I can't wait to try it again with the correct cheese. Also, not sure if they do this anywhere else, but in Turkey, they serve the kunefe with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. Sooo delish!!

Yes, you're right, it is Paterson LOL my bad....yes I love it there too. If only it weren't such a haul. One time we went up there in the winter, just after a fairly heavy snow. We stayed until after dark and got on the highway to come back home only to find the highway shut down because of ice! We totally lucked onto another route after driving aimlessly for an hour or so. As much as I love visiting there, I wasn't too happy over the prospect of having to spend the night...

Yeah, I know what you mean about Smyrna...there is a very small population but its definitely more "obscure" than other places. There is a Turkish family that owns Smyrna Pizza (they love Ozzy & give him free pizzas LOL...I sent him there to "buy" dinner last night), and I think a Pakistani guy who owns the 7-11, but that's it that I know of. Ozzy was really frustrated over the job search too. He did finally land a position in Sears, but he was/is just very frustrated in general about how slowly the wheels seem to move around here....

[Tunisia216]

Yes I was insulting Jerzzee roads Whatcha gonna do about it? You know it's true.. remember the 2 am Nawal I'm lost some where around Rutgers call? hahahah

Are you insulting NJ roads ya magnoonah!?! Paterson is a nightmare but drive up a hill and you can see which direction to head OR stop by a friendly neighboorhood bodega...I'm sure they would give you the right direction....

[Henia]

mmmmm....that's making me hungry! I may just make that for dinner tonight! Thank you Henia

You are very welcome! Everyone liked these when I made them ... so hopefully everyone there will too!

[tanyakaraman]

Haha...I might be in there again tonight, now that I've printed Henia's recipe for the Yellow Sqash Fritters and am in need of some harissa I've never had harissa before. Hubby likes spicy, but I like spicier stuff than him! They have a spicy tomato paste in Turkey too...I wonder if its similar? The prices were really great. Most of the things I bought didn't have a price tag that I noticed, but I think I only spent $20 in there and I got 2 pretty big bags of stuff!

As far as mosques, we haven't been to one in the US yet. I IM'd my husband with the address for the one in Smyrna and I think he's really interested. So thanks for sending the info!!

WOOHOO!! I told you the big guy in Lasani's rocks my socks!! He really has anything you could want and if he doesn't he will order it! He's also a halal butcher so all the meat in there is 100% halal!! I am so glad that you found it and I think it will save you a lot of trips to Paterson. We save Paterson for special occasions because of the length of the drive and just go to Lasani for most other things. I don't know if your hubby likes spicy but he has the best Harissa I've found (Tunisian hot tomato paste like sauce) and his prices can't be beat for most things! Just be careful with some of the grains/rice/couscous I did find a small bug one time but in truth the bag was totally sealed ( I checked it ) so it must have gotten in there before he got it, so for that I can't totally blame him.

We are going to go up this weekend to get some things for Ramadan so I'll wave if I see you in there

Who hasn't gotten lost going to Paterson? Those roads are hopeless... I hate Jersey driving, but it's worth getting lost.

I only tried Smyrna Pizza one time and it was okay but I'm forever loyal to Bella Villa Ernesto and Tina are old school buddies so I have to go in there.. Jihed's in love with their food at Trevis I just wish it wasn't sooo expensive!! But Bella Villa is much cheaper and Momma knows my orders without me having to speak!!

There is supposed to be an Islamic society / mosque in Smyrna but I never checked it out?
Masjid Uz Zumar
Rt 1, Nbr 500
Smyrna - Delaware - 19977

Have you? We mostly stick to the one in Newcastle off Churchman's Road, by the German club.

I know all about the job frustrations and their frustrations at how slow things move here I hope that things work out and that he can get a position he enjoys really soon inshallah!!

Sorry I didn't get a minute to reply until now....

Well...Lasani's was awesome & I'm SO glad you told me about it!!! Much thanks! I found so many things in there that I have been looking for...everything from henna to chopped pistachios to the kunafa food coloring...and lots of other very interesting things I want to try . They didn't have the nabulsi cheese, but the guy called his supplier & ordered it for me on the spot! He said that if I stop back in a day or 2, they should have some in stock.

Soo...I made a trial run of the kunefe using a mixture of mozarella, ricotta, and half & half and it was very good! Not exactly like Antakya, but very good anyway. My kids and husband loved it. I can't wait to try it again with the correct cheese. Also, not sure if they do this anywhere else, but in Turkey, they serve the kunefe with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. Sooo delish!!

Yes, you're right, it is Paterson LOL my bad....yes I love it there too. If only it weren't such a haul. One time we went up there in the winter, just after a fairly heavy snow. We stayed until after dark and got on the highway to come back home only to find the highway shut down because of ice! We totally lucked onto another route after driving aimlessly for an hour or so. As much as I love visiting there, I wasn't too happy over the prospect of having to spend the night...

Yeah, I know what you mean about Smyrna...there is a very small population but its definitely more "obscure" than other places. There is a Turkish family that owns Smyrna Pizza (they love Ozzy & give him free pizzas LOL...I sent him there to "buy" dinner last night), and I think a Pakistani guy who owns the 7-11, but that's it that I know of. Ozzy was really frustrated over the job search too. He did finally land a position in Sears, but he was/is just very frustrated in general about how slowly the wheels seem to move around here....

[Henia]

Well the NA harissa isn't like those spicy tomato sauces in Turkey ... since they contain no tomatoes buuut if you wanted you could sub it for!

Maybe Ash already posted recipe for Harissa but if not here is mine- fast and easy. It keeps well in frig .. just pour some oil (olive oil) over the top!

100g dried hot chilies
8 cloves garlic, peeled and roughly chopped
1 tbsp. Cumin powder
1 tbsp. Coriander powder
1 tsp. salt

Place the chilies in a bowl, bring some water to the boil and pour over the chilies Leave them to soak for 30-45 minutes. Then remove the chilies from the water and discard their stems. Reserve the water they were soaked in.
Place all the ingredients if a food processor or blender and puree adding as much of the chili water needed until you have a smooth paste or grind them together in a mortar and pestle.


Here is another recipe using Harissa. People here love this!

Harissa spaghetti

3 medium cloves garlic, peeled
a big pinch of fine grain sea salt
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons harissa (paste)
8 ounces (1/2 pound) whole wheat spaghettini
1 small bunch kale, well-washed and deveined
1/2 cup oil-cured black olives, pitted
1/2 cup pine nuts, toasted
zest of 1 lemon

Bring a big pot of water to a boil. In the meantime, place the cloves of garlic on a cutting board and sprinkle then with a big pinch of salt. Crush with the flat side of a knife. Now crush and chop, crush and chop until you have a garlic paste. Alternately, you can use a mortar and pestle. In a small bowl whisk together the garlic paste, harissa, and olive oil. Set aside.

Generously salt the boiling water, add the pasta, and cook per package instructions. Just before the pasta is done add the kale to the pasta water, count to six, drain and set aside.

Heat half of the harissa dressing in the now empty pasta pot Add the pasta and kale, black olives, pine nuts, and lemon zest. Stir over the heat for a minute or so, then turn everything


Lamb Manti with Harissa

I am sure you know what mantis are Tanya, since your hubby is from Turkey!

For the filling
200g lamb mince
1-2 tablespoons harissa (depending on how hot you prefer)
sea salt
2 shallots, finely diced
1 clove garlic, finely minced
¼ teaspoon cinnamon powder

For the dough and to assemble
300g strong flour (use Tipo “00” flour), plus extra for rolling
1 teaspoon sea salt
3 eggs, lightly beaten
¼ teaspoon finely ground cardamom seeds

Harissa
Cover the chillies with warm water until softened then drain, discarding the water. Mix the salt, garlic and chillies to a smooth paste in a food processor or with a mortar and pestle. Grind the dried spices until smooth and add to the chilli mix then gradually stir in the olive oil. Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container until ready to use. Harissa keeps well but will gradually lose its pungency over time. Makes around ½ cup.

For the filling
Combine all the ingredients. Fry a small piece of the lamb to check the seasoning, adjust if necessary then refrigerate the filling until ready to use.

For the dough and to assemble
Combine the flour and salt on a clean work surface or in a food processor. Work in the eggs to form a dough. If using a food processor, tip the dough out on to a clean surface. Knead the dough for 8-10 minutes until silky smooth. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and leave to rest for 1 hour. Cut off ¼ of the dough and re-wrap the remaining dough.

Start rolling the dough through the thickest setting of a pasta machine, using a very light dusting of flour to prevent sticking (not too much as it will affect the consistency). Feed the dough through the thickest setting several times, each time folding it over on itself, as if folding a business letter. Once the dough is beautifully smooth, start feeding it through the smaller settings of the pasta machine until the dough is as fine as you can get it.

Trim the dough into 6cm squares. Place a small walnut-sized ball of lamb on each square. Wet the edges of the squares with water then join the corners of the pasta together to form a star-shaped parcel. Pinch all of the edges to seal well so the manti don’t leak during cooking.

Place the manti on a lightly floured tray and refrigerate until ready to cook. Continue with all the dough and lamb filling until finished.

To serve
½ cup thick Turkish or Greek yogurt
¼ cup harissa, thinned with 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
½ cup coriander leaves
sea salt

Boil the manti for 3 minutes in small batches in plenty of salted water. Drain well. Serve on a dollop of yogurt, drizzle with harissa and finish with coriander leaves and a sprinkling of sea salt.

[RAKASA]

Well the NA harissa isn't like those spicy tomato sauces in Turkey ... since they contain no tomatoes buuut if you wanted you could sub it for!

Maybe Ash already posted recipe for Harissa but if not here is mine- fast and easy. It keeps well in frig .. just pour some oil (olive oil) over the top!

100g dried hot chilies
8 cloves garlic, peeled and roughly chopped
1 tbsp. Cumin powder
1 tbsp. Coriander powder
1 tsp. salt

Place the chilies in a bowl, bring some water to the boil and pour over the chilies Leave them to soak for 30-45 minutes. Then remove the chilies from the water and discard their stems. Reserve the water they were soaked in.
Place all the ingredients if a food processor or blender and puree adding as much of the chili water needed until you have a smooth paste or grind them together in a mortar and pestle.

Mmmmmmm... I'm going to make some Harissa this weekend! Hubby will be so excited! It's another bread-making weekend as well. Preparing for Gustav, you can never have too much bread!

[chavacana]

does anybody here knows how to make CHICKEN BARYANI(not sure the spelling) I need the recipe pls.. I miss that food so so much. thanx