Middle Eastern Frittata

This is a simple and traditional yet hearty egg dish that you can enjoy for brunch, lunch or dinner. Potatoes and onions make a perfect marriage with eggs. If you've tried the Spanish version-the tortilla that is- you know what i'm talking about... D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S!

Recipe

Serves 4

Ingredients:

6 eggs
1 large potato, diced
1 medium onion, diced
1 cup parsley, chopped
1 green chili pepper, thinly sliced (optional)
2 tbsps flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup low-fat milk
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp all spice
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/4 cup vegetable/corn oil

Method:

Preheat oven to 375 F.

In an oiled pan, fry the potatoes for 10-15 min then set aside.
Whisk the eggs in a bowl and then mix in the potatoes and the rest of the ingredients. Pour in the egg mixture in a greased baking dish. Bake at 375 F for 20-30 min or until the surface turns golden brown.

Serve hot, warm or cold. I like my piece slightly warm and wrapped up in a pita bread sandwich (or olive bread) with a fresh salad on the side. Enjoy!

Nutrition Tip: For cholesterol evaders, you can substitute 2 whole eggs with egg whites instead. That will leave you with less saturated fats, more protein, without sacrificing flavor since all the other ingredients make up for that. ;-)

Meat patties with pomegranate molasses glaze

These are called "Kafta" in Lebanon and are usually pressed around metal skewers and grilled over charcoal. Kafta is a delicious combination of ground beef and/or lamb, onions, parsley and spices. It can be molded in different shapes and cooked in many ways: this is one semi traditional yet succulent method of enjoying it and saving time. It is a must try for all meat lovers! I use a "secret" ingredient (rice flour) to hold the meat together and keep the texture light and tender. Remember my post on pomegranate molasses? Check it out here.

Recipe

Serves 4

Ingredients:

1 1/2 lb ground beef
1 large onion
1/2 bunch of parsley
1 tsp all spice

1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
pinch of nutmeg
1 tsp rice flour
1 tsp salt
1 tbsp pomegranate molasses
1/2 tsp lemon, juice of
1/3 cup vegetable/corn oil
1/4 cup water

Method:

Pulse the onion and parsley in a food processor until finely chopped. Transfer to a large bowl and add the ground beef, all spice, nutmeg, rice flour, salt and pepper. Use clean hands to gently knead until thoroughly combined. Form 1.5 inch-thick patties and fry on both sides in a hot oiled skillet until golden brown. Then add pomegranate molasses, lemon juice and water and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer for 5 min on low. Serve with pita bread and a salad.

Sauteed Spinach

This dish is one i grew up with, my mom  still prepares a lot of it as an appetizer for lunch and stores it in the fridge so she can have something ready for a light dinner the next day. She usually tops it with crispy fried onions, which boosts the flavors but this tastes very good without the added fats. For all spinach lovers, this is light, healthy and hearty. Just a squeeze of lemon and you're good to go...

Recipe

Serves 4

Ingredients:

1 pack of frozen cut spinach (available in all supermarkets)
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
1 clove of garlic, minced
3 tbsps vegetable/corn oil
salt, to taste
red pepper flakes (optional)
Lemon, to taste

Method:

Defrost the cut spinach and place in a colander for a few hours. Use a dry cloth to squeeze to wring the spinach from excess liquid. Set aside.
Put the oil in a pan at medium high, place the sliced onions and fry until golden (do not burn), then stir in the garlic, red pepper flakes and spinach. Cook for 5 min and serve warm or cold with pita bread.

Nutrition facts: Spinach doesn't get any healthier than this. Even "Popeye" agrees ;)
"Spinach is an excellent source of bone-healthy vitamin K, magnesium, manganese, and calcium; heart-healthy folate, potassium, and vitamin B6; energy-producing iron and vitamin B2; and free radical-scavenging vitamin A (through its concentration of beta-carotene) and vitamin C."