Main Courses

Beef Kebab Sandwich with Tahini and Herb Salad How can I make the beef kebab sandwich spicier? Start by adding finely chopped hot peppers like jalapeños, serranos, or bird’s eye chilies directly into the kebab mixture. You can also increase the amount of black pepper or mix in cayenne or Aleppo pepper. For a spicy tahini-amba sauce, stir in harissa or schug. If you prefer heat in the salad, add more green chili slices or sprinkle in crushed red pepper flakes. Can I prepare the kebabs in advance and reheat them later? After grilling, let them cool completely, then wrap … Read more

Whole Stuffed Cabbage with Spiced Beef and Rice How can I make whole stuffed cabbage vegetarian or vegan? Replace the ground beef with cooked lentils, finely chopped mushrooms, or plant-based ground meat. Add extra pine nuts, herbs, or sautéed vegetables like zucchini, eggplant, or carrots for texture and flavor. You can also increase the amount of rice slightly to help the filling bind. For the tomato sauce, simply use the same recipe, omitting any meat-based broth if you would normally add it. A vegan date syrup glaze still works perfectly for the finishing touch. Can I prepare this whole stuffed … Read more

Stuffed Mini Bell Peppers in Spiced Tomato Sauce How can I make these stuffed mini bell peppers vegetarian? Simply replace the ground beef with a plant-based protein such as cooked lentils, canned chickpeas, or finely chopped mushrooms sautéed with onion for added umami. You can also use textured vegetable protein (TVP), tofu, or vegan ground “meat” crumbles. Keep the rice, herbs, tomato, and spices the same. The date syrup-tomato sauce works just as well with vegetarian fillings and brings balance and richness to the dish. Can I make these stuffed mini bell peppers in advance? You can stuff the peppers … Read more