Wood-Roasted Butternut Squash Salad with Freekeh and Lentils

Remember when we were a republic with no president?

Not anymore. Orange is literally the new black. After more than two years with no president finally the Lebanese parties (most of them at least, the ones who got a share of the cake) have agreed to vote for a candidate. Two hours of labor in the parliament proved that we still have a wicked sense of humor despite all, and that keeping the child in you alive is super important even if you’re a member of the parliament. Nothing feels good like re-living classroom fights between the bullies in the back, the nerds in the front, the teacher on the platform by the blackboard, and the supervisor pretending to be monitoring that everything is going as planned. All on live TV

Politics aside, it is purely coincidental that I am posting an orange pumpkin on such a day. This recipe was supposed to go last week as part of Pumpkin Week with the EatTheLebaneseSeason squad, our initiative to give recipes on how to cook and use local seasonal produce. But here it is: a super flavorful salad that can sub for a main meal with all the goodness it is packed with.

wood-roasted-butternut-squash-salad-with-freekeh-and-lentils-recipes-cookin5m2-pin Continue reading “Wood-Roasted Butternut Squash Salad with Freekeh and Lentils” →

Pesto Spaghetti with Mozzarella and Roasted Vine Tomatoes

Spaghetti with Basil Pesto, Mozzarella, and Roasted Vine Tomatoes recipe - cookin5m2 -PIN.jpg

The wonderful thing about this time of the year is the great variety of produce you can get from the market. I go to a nearby shop and buy stuff to get home. On the days where I’m working from home are the best days to experiment. I cook breakfast, lunch, sometimes desert, and even dinner if I’m staying home at night.

I recently received a bunch of basil. The most obvious thing to do is pesto. The first thing to do with pesto is add it to pasta. Then adding cheese. But what’s not so usual is roasting vine tomatoes and adding them to the dish. And that’s what I did. Pretty Genius, no? *pulling a Kanye moment* Continue reading “Pesto Spaghetti with Mozzarella and Roasted Vine Tomatoes” →

Blueberry and Giant Couscous (Moghrabiyeh) Salad

Warning: Existential breakdown ahead.

How do people get famous? What makes them known for what they’re good at, or just for what they do? What’s the formula that makes people popular? Is there such a thing?

Recently the thought struck me as I was watching a video of a piano player playing pieces from notable classical composers chronologically. For each period of time, there is a well-known composer you can attribute to when he was active and his work reigned.

Blueberry and Giant Couscous (Moghrabiyeh) Salad-recipe - cookin5m2-5 PIN

Continue reading “Blueberry and Giant Couscous (Moghrabiyeh) Salad” →

Third Blogiversary and Chicken Curry with Red Rice

Cookin5m2 3rd birthday-08.jpg Chicken Curry with Aromatic Red Rice recipe - cookin5m2 -1

It’s never the same. No year is similar to the one it follows or the one it proceeds. Each year brings different experiences, new joys, new sorrow, new lessons. It’s all in how you perceive it.

Three years ago around this time, I was planning and working on starting this blog. I started it without any prospect on how it will grow or what will happen to it. I still kind of don’t, but I’m still blogging for the joy of it. Continue reading “Third Blogiversary and Chicken Curry with Red Rice” →

All Protein Vegan Soup

We are finally witnessing some wet action in Lebanon. Yes. It’s raining.

http://instagram.com/p/igahnNiZ7i/

When we were children, we used to make up stories about the rain; God is watering the plants, God is washing the floor, God is bathing, or God is peeing. It’s a beautiful thing a child’s imagination but few are able to hold on to it as adults. Don’t you wish you never grew up? It’s a trap.

http://instagram.com/p/lkpgWpCZ0q/

If it were for children to cook, except for those on Top Chef Junior, they would dump everything in one pot and it’s done. Or was that my sister’s concept of cooking?
Continue reading “All Protein Vegan Soup” →