Welcome to August

I always have mixed feelings about August but not about the new recipes I have in store for this month. There is that sense of ease with long summer days, yet I also feel rushed to get things done because I know that summer is almost over. Tending to my garden takes up most of my time. Between starting new seedlings and making sure the pests don’t eat my fruits and vegetables, it is a full-time job!

With the end of summer, I’m sure most families are trying to fit in as many fun outdoor activities as possible while preparing to send their children off to school. As an empty nester, I sure miss those days. But of course, as everyone always says, time flies! 

A few weeks ago, I was surprised enough to have a special guest come to visit!

My cousin, whom I hadn’t seen in over 23 years, decided to stop by and see me. It was such a surprise! He has been super busy with studying and working, so I decided to make him a big homemade, Jordanian meal. I pampered him with dishes like mansaf, wark annak, and stuffed zucchini. Don’t worry; I will share these recipes on my website soon, I promise! My cousin was thrilled, and we had a wonderful visit. We laughed, talked, and promised we would stay in touch!

Ok, so now back to food! August is a month with so much fresh produce to offer! It is the season of eggplant, zucchini, peaches, corn, carrots, and okra. I grew some okra in my garden this season, and I fell in love with it! I made a few new recipes using okra, including a traditional Jordanian okra dish, which is my husband’s favorite. Bamia with lamb. It’s so delicious! 

Then I made sauteed okra with hot garlic chili sauce. This Asian fusion dish has become my favorite go-to dish! I hope you will try out both of my recipes and discover what okra has to offer. 

With August bringing summer to an end, now is the perfect time to try out new recipes or get creative with your cooking. Who knows? You may find some interesting dishes to include in your routine.

Here are some of my top recipes to get you started!

Baba Ghanoush 

Smoky, flavorful baba ghanoush is a classic Middle Eastern dip that can be the perfect snack or side dish. Although it is often confused with moutabal, another eggplant dish, they are very different. While moutabal is made with a creamy tahini sauce, baba ghanoush has fresher ingredients. Baba ghanoush is delicious and can be served as a salad or with warm and fluffy pita bread or pita chips. 

Watermelon With Dukka

Nothing says summer like watermelon with dukkah feta and mint. The sweet and juicy watermelon is perfect for a hot summer day, and the seasoning makes it even better! Dukkah is an earthy, herbal Egyptian seasoning made with coriander, allspice, and cumin. The mint also tops off this sweet and savory dish with a minty fresh taste! Once you try this salad, you will want to make it over and over again. 

Kofta Kebab

Meat lovers will be obsessed with this juicy, flavorful kofta kebab recipe. With lots of herbs and seasonings, kofta kebab is one of the most delicious meat dishes you can eat. The well-spiced ground meat will simply melt in your mouth as you take a bite. Kofta is a Middle Eastern meatball made with ground beef, lamb, onions, herbs, and spices. They can either be formed into balls or around a kebab skewer for kebabs. Try out my kofta kebab to see what all the hype is about.

Grilled Peaches With Mascarpone and Pistachio

If you want a healthy dessert, try making grilled peaches with mascarpone and pistachio. The sweetness of the peaches will be drawn out once they are grilled, and they will have a lightly charred BBQ flavor that is simply divine. The creaminess of the mascarpone compliments the tender peaches and makes it an unforgettable culinary experience. My recipe also uses rose water to bring an aromatic taste to the fragrant peaches. Top it all off with pistachios, and you have the perfect dessert!  

Zucchini Fritters With Lemon Zest

Get your daily vegetables in with this tasty zucchini fritters dish. Zucchini fritters are made with finely shredded pieces of zucchini that are added to eggs, flour, breadcrumbs, and various seasonings. The mixture is then pan-fried until the zucchini fritters become golden brown on both sides. Zucchini fritters may sound unassuming, but they are tasty snacks or appetizers that can be paired with any meal. 

Happy August! 

Whatever you’re in the mood for, I hope you’ll find something to enjoy cooking at home and share it with your family! After all, cooking is the best show of affection. I wish you all a healthy and happy August!