Eat The Heat

I visited Egypt for the first time a few months ago and let me tell you, nothing prepares you for that HEAT. We’ve all lived through a heat wave, but imagine stepping out into 42 degrees, fully clothed, no breeze and no air to breathe.

The heat filled every inch of my body, and squeezed all the possible water out of my pores. But that meant more space for drinks and food (obvi).

When I think of heat, I think of fresh, juicy, cold foods. That was absolutely not what the locals ate; we were served hot stews, lots of carbs, dairy, meats… things that reminded me more of winter comfort food. Although, they do say that eating and drinking hot in hot weather cools you down. Maybe that's an actual thing.

I stayed at my Syrian best friend's home, and her Teta (grandmother) was on a mission to feed. I had some of the best dishes of my life (Fetteh Makdous, Yebra, Molokhia) and was blessed with being able to learn her secrets.

So, I’ve taken all the things I ate from both Egyptian and Syrian dishes to create recipes you’ll love and enjoy. Happy eating.

Tender, fall-apart braising beef matched with roasted red peppers and a fragrant tomato sauce. Simple yet delicious. And did we mention it comes together in just one pan? No-brainer, Mob.

A potato salad with a difference. Here, we've thrown in our favourite Middle Eastern herb and served it up with smashed spuds and a tomato-y cottage cheese.

A Lebanese staple. Made with a combination of bulgar and beef, these flavourful croquettes go beautifully with a side of homemade muhammara (more on that later on).

A fresh, creamy and tangy salad. Made up of a mix of flavours and ingredients inspired by a combination of Egyptian and Syrian cuisine. A delight.

We've topped our homemade labneh with garlicky broad beans and it's a sure-fire yes from us.

Bursting with flavour, here's our take on a classic Middle Eastern dip. Made up of roasted red peppers and walnuts, it's just the right amount of sweet and spicy.