Wood-Roasted Butternut Squash Salad with Freekeh and Lentils

img_069511

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

Three-way Breakfast Toasts

What is sleep if it weren’t a time machine to breakfast?

And breakfast is an appetizer to lunch. Dinner is a meal by itself.

three-way-breakfast-toasts-recipe-cookin5m2-pin

I seriously open my eyes, check my notifications, and go to the bathroom all while I’m thinking what to cook for breakfast. Pancakes…. Eggs…. Shakshouka…. Toasts…. Cereal… Anything. Anything with coffee. Continue reading

Summer Farewell Chopped Salad

farewell-summer-chopped-salad-recipe-zucchini-blossoms-corn-cookin5m2-pin

Summer is officially over. Today marks the start of Autumn, but the weather has already changed with a mellowing breeze and yellowing trees. There’s a charm about this season. Villagers and orchard owners believe that this is the most generous time of the year. The crops are plenty and the orchards look beautiful with the trees and vines bearing fruits from all colors.

Continue reading

Breakfast Sandwiches Part I

How many times have you heard breakfast is the most important meal?

Don’t start counting. We all have. Countless times.

image

Breakfast sandwiches part 1_cookin5m2-1

You will not appreciate a good breakfast until you’ve had one. I’m not talking about those breakfast buffet where I go and fill my tummy until I can barely move and be able to skip lunch. I’m talking about a breakfast you make and eat at home before going to work that will keep you full, or at least managing, until lunch time. I’m starting to discover some.
Continue reading

The 2-5-40 Challenge: Potato Salad and Tuna Salad Boats

Mike has given me a challenge. The challenge came from 2 necessities: one: we were on a tight budget, two, I needed a motive to give me a good start on the blog and create/make recipes.
The challenge came from our daily needs adapting to the month’s limitations. We’re both on vacation, we both have to depend on ourselves, I have a new food blog that I have create material for, aaaand we’ve spent (some) money in the past days that we had to consider giving this month’s limit a good place and use.

The challenge was, as the title hints, to create meals for 2 persons over 5 days for 40$.

Potato Salad and Tuna Salad Boats

The 40$ Challenge 01

Continue reading