Category: Main Ingredient

OVEN BAKED MEATBALLS WITH BURGHUL

On By Sara ElrefaieIn Appetizer/Snacks, Beef, Main Dish, Party/Finger Food, Side Dish, UncategorizedLeave a comment
Burghul Meatballs

I have always had a busy life but after having my kids, it became more of a circus!

I am on duty 247 even during my sleep; sometimes I just feel like screaming my lungs out but then I remember that one has to live each memory with full joy because those moments (with all their stress) will never come again!

In the middle of all this, creating some “me time” at the kitchen is a priority. Not only do I love cooking; it is also the only place where I release all my negative energy & recharge for tomorrow! Simply, my comfort zone!

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SHRIMP CEASER SALAD

On By Sara ElrefaieIn Main Dish, Party/Finger Food, Salads, SeafoodLeave a comment
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Happy mother’s day to myself, my mother, my grandmothers & every single mother out there trying to stay sane in the middle of this crazy thing called “motherhood”.

If you have read any of my previous posts, you would notice that I always talk about my mother’s hatred to cooking or actually anything kitchen related even if it was boiling an egg or microwaving a pre-cooked meal.

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CRISPY OVEN BAKED CHICKEN FILLET

On By Sara ElrefaieIn Appetizer/Snacks, Chicken, Main Dish, Party/Finger FoodLeave a comment
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I don’t know where or how to start as this recipe goes way way back! I have been working on this recipe for almost a year now, even before I started thinking about my blog! I simply love fried food & can’t deny that it is a staple in our house so I had to find a lighter/healthier alternative!

I have tested this recipe over & over; tried every single breading you can imagine; flour, corn flour, panko, nuts, corn flakes, tortillas, pretzels … etc but nothing worked & the result was always the same:

  • Either the chicken gets too dry until the crust takes a nice color & crunch or
  • The chicken is cooked perfectly & the crust is light in color + not crispy

I just couldn’t accept eating any of the above options & compared to fried chicken, they sucked big time!

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CHICKEN WITH MUSHROOM & COCONUT BROWN SAUCE

On By Sara ElrefaieIn Chicken, Main DishLeave a comment
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I fed my kids, put their favorite cartoon on! Made myself a cup of coffee to work on this post peacefully! Let’s say that this is how I pictured the whole situation yaaaah!

Reality: I am holding my coffee with one hand; typing with the other while my kids are running everywhere around me!

Let me try to wrap this post before I get attacked by these 2 little monkeys!

Another chicken dish on the blog! But as you know I never compromise on it being easy, quick & extremely delicious; perfect for your tight busy weekdays & also elegant for any dinner hosting.

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CREAM CHEESE PESTO PASTA WITH CHICKEN, FRESH MOZZARELLA & ROASTED TOMATO

On By Sara ElrefaieIn Chicken, Main Dish, PastaLeave a comment
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It’s me again with another pasta dish!

I just happen to love carbs … all kinds of carbs!

Sometimes I go for light healthy pasta recipes but most of the time, I go for creamy cheesy sauces that just melt in your mouth!

Cream Cheese, Fresh Buffalo Mozzarella & Parmesan cheese is a mixture made in cheese heaven! The different flavors & textures of the 3 cheeses complement each other so well without being too greasy or heavy. Cheese heaven, right?

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ALL PURPOSE TOMATO BEETROOT MARINARA SAUCE

On By Sara ElrefaieIn Appetizer/Snacks, Breakfast/Brunch, Party/Finger Food, Pasta, Side Dish, VegetablesLeave a comment

Before having kids, I never cared about cooking certain food at home; I always believed in the idea of “why cook this when it’s available in the supermarket?”.

But with all the health raised issues about most store bought items, I started to be more inclined towards cooking almost everything at home. It’s healthier, cheaper & definitely free from all those poisonous preservatives.

I love making marinara sauce with canned tomatoes; it comes out perfectly sweet & tangy; just spot on. Trying to use less canned ingredients, I tested cooking the marinara sauce with fresh tomatoes but it was a big flop!

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CLASSICAL FRENCH TOAST

On By Sara ElrefaieIn Breakfast/Brunch, Fruits & Sweets, SweetsLeave a comment
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I know French toast seems like a regular recipe that anyone can prepare at home!

BUT NO. A BIG FAT NO!

Let me tell you my story with French toast.

I have been making French toast for ages; it’s just some milk & eggs beaten together with some flavorings! No need for a recipe, right?

Mine came out tasting nice but the texture always varied from a little dry to soggy although I made sure I never under or over soaked my toast so why the inconsistency in texture?

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SWEET & SOUR CHICKEN

On By Sara ElrefaieIn Chicken, Main DishLeave a comment

I don’t think I know anybody who doesn’t love Chinese Food! I remember growing up with Peking Restaurant being a phenomenal outing every weekend to indulge on all those Chinese dishes.

What I also discovered is that cooking Chinese food is as enjoyable as eating it. Easy & quick dishes that are packed with veggies YET very delicious. Perfect for our busy lifestyles.

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CHICKEN WITH SWEET CHILI BBQ SAUCE

On By Sara ElrefaieIn Chicken, Main DishLeave a comment
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Before getting married & having kids, I used to hate anything cooked with bones; mainly whole chicken. It was such a hassle to eat; I always preferred fillet!

Then my cooking obsession started & I learnt that poultry cooked “bone in” yields the juiciest results.

And GOD! Whole chicken is so easy to cook; you just marinade it, throw it in the oven or over the stove & it takes care of itself! SPOT ON for busy & lazy days or actually any day!

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CLASSICAL ONE POT ROZ M3AMMAR: SAVORY RICE PUDDING

On By Sara ElrefaieIn Rice, Side DishLeave a comment

aaaroz

Posting all those international recipes doesn’t mean that I am not a BIG BIG fan of our traditional Egyptian food.

You name it; stuffed vine leaves, stuffed eggplants, beef stew, molokheya … I just love all those dishes that not only taste amazing but also bring back so many childhood memories that I always long to.

I grew up eating a very unique kind of Roz M3ammar; actually you can never call it M3ammar because it was this oven baked very dry rice with a very crusty top & bottom.

I am not saying that I hated it; it’s just that when I grew up & tasted the real Roz M3ammar in a friend’s gathering; I realized that our version has nothing to do with the original recipe.

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