I always have some sumac in my kitchen cupboard, I love its unique twang that adds sourness the way lemons do; and am always looking for inspiration of other ways to us it.
I visited my local library a little while back and picked up a Middle Eastern cook book called Classic Vegetarian Cooking from the Middle East and North Africa (2000). I have various cookbooks by Arto Der Haroutunian, Anissa Helou, Nada Saleh and Claudia Roden, but never come across the Middle Eastern food writer Habeeb Salloum. The only reason I think this is the case, is that he is a Canadian food writer. I am really excited about the cook book and have already bookmarked a number of recipes including Sumac Toasts, Pumpkin Kibbeh, Pomegranate Pizza and Basil Rice Pilaf...
I picked a couple of bunches of beetroot at the weekend, so be warned the next few days this blog of mine will feature some crimson tinted edible bites: some will be savoury; and some will be sweet. To be truthful, I don't even know why I picked them up, as I've mentioned on my blog many times I am not a huge fan of beetroot. I do however, think there is a small part of me that challenges the inner experimental cook in me to cook more creatively with these rooty beetroot bombs that explode colour all over you once peeled!
Anyway, to kick off, Beetroot Chocolate Scones with optional dark chocolate chips. I liked how these turned out, especially how the fresh beetroot imparts not just its earthy flavour, but its natural food colouring.
As a food blogger, I am very surprised at myself in that I have hardly any pizza recipes on my blog. I can't even think of the reason why this may be the case, its not even that we order pizza's.
Oh well, today that is going to change.
I had been given three pears by my parents a week or so back, around the same time I was given green tomatoes. I was glad to have them, already in my head making plans to make this Pear, Walnut and Blue Cheese Tart, but had completely forgotten about them as they got hid under the pile of citrus fruit to stave away my recent cold. Thank you to those of you who came by to wish me well. I do feel much better.
I made this (above) Pear, Spinach and Brie Cheese pizza yesterday later afternoon, and again this afternoon encouraged by my husband who really, really liked it.
