My newest obsession! Zaalouk, means in Arabic to smash or purée. The eggplant is roasted and then added to tomatoes that have been cooked down into a jam-like consistency. Spiced with cumin, paprika, and a dash of lemon, it is a positively addictive dip served with pita or crackers. But it is also equally delicious as a spread on sandwiches or eaten as a cooked salad. Even if you don’t like eggplant, I’ll bet you’ll love this dish!

This is my take on a barbecue sauce. It’s tangy, but not too sweet, with just a touch of heat as it finishes. It tastes like it’s complicated and has been simmering for hours, but comes together very quickly and can last in your fridge for weeks. It’s super on chicken, but equally good on pork or beef. Our BBQ chicken is a 2-step process. We first grill the chicken to add that nice smoky flavor to the meat, also rendering out the fat and making the skin crispy and beautifully caramelized. The second step is to slather it with our BBQ sauce then finish cooking it in the oven. It’s the best of both worlds with its smoky flavor from the grill, but the barbecue sauce is not burnt. Also, the chicken is perfectly moist and juicy. It’s sure to be a summer hit!

We’re going to marinate a boneless leg of lamb with garlic and fresh herbs which is going to adds tons of flavor and really complement the mild taste of the lamb. Lamb has really gotten a bad rap as being a very gamy tasting meat. It’s not. The meat is very mild tasting, and after being perfectly roasted we will serve it with a mint salsa verde. Today we are are adding mint along with a little lemon, which compliments the lamb so beautifully.

You'll love these greens on your table! They look amazing and taste even better.

This is a play on a classic rillettes, which is kinda like a pate that is usually made with a combination of meat usually pork, spices all cooked in fat. To achieve a delectable spread. Instead of meat, we are using perfectly poached salmon combined with smoked salmon along with herbs, lemon, and butter to make a sublime spread that is delicious for an appetizer or try it for brunch. Served with crostini or Melba toast crackers, it’s a very elegant and versatile spread.

The amazing color of these roasted red beats brings a huge wow factor to this well-known dip. I can’t believe this stunning bright pink/fuchsia color is all natural! When the beets combine with the garbanzos beans, lemon, and tahini, it makes for a really spectacular dip for vegetables or pita chips. Ho Ho YUM!