Suzy Eats

• Fresh baked Pita Bread
• Hummus
• Baba Ghannoush
• Foul Maddamas
• Falafel
• Hard Boiled Eggs
• Mortadella
• Labna
• Feta or white cheese made from goat milk
• Bowl of Olives, black and green
• Bowl of turnips and pickles
• Olive Oil for drizzling over foods
• Tomato Wedges and cucumber slices
• Zaatar or Thyme
• Fresh Jams with only natural sugars
• Tea or Arabic Coffee

Traditionally speaking all of these foods are eaten as dips with pita bread or with your hand. Utensils are usually not put on the table at breakfast. Some people even use the chunks of cheese as a substitute for bread and spread items such as hummus on it.

Most of these recipes have been listed on Suzy Eats; others are coming. If you would like a more detail, please send me an email ([email protected]). 

Olive oil is more than just a food staple in the Mediterranean diet.  We know that it can help promote “good” cholesterol (HDL) and lower “bad” cholesterol (LDL). It may also help your stomach and prevent ulcers or gallstone. Olive oil is loaded in antioxidants and may help prevent both cancer and heart disease. But did you know that it actually has numerous other practice uses??  It is probably best to use a cheaper low-grade olive oil for most of these uses:-)

1. Dry Skin: Olive oil is an excellent skin moisturizer since it contains linoleic acid, a compound not made by the body, which prevents water from evaporating. Eating olive oil can promote healthy skin, but applying it to your skin may be even better. Some people even add a small amount of olive oil to their bath.  Because olive oil contains numerous antioxidants it may also help neutralize free radicals that cause skin cancer and aging.  Olive oil is also used during shaving or as an aftershave.  It may also be applying to dry lips or nail cuticles. If you have dry, cracked heels and are looking for a cure…olive oil is the answer. Apply it to your feet at night Read the rest of this entry »

It is a GORGEOUS day outside. I am so excited!!! I have waited soooo long to see the sun! We had a little tease the other day and now its back 🙂 YEAH!!! This weather reminded me of  my grandfather who loved to walk EVERYWHERE with my brothers and I when we were younger. AND THEN it hit me….my next blog entry was going to be about my grandfather and how he ate a SPOONFUL of honey each day as part of his “Mediterranean Diet”. I always wondered why he did it. I watched him take his spoon and dip it into the honey jar each morning before we would take our walks. Well 25 years later, I finally did my research and realized a spoonful of honey may support your health and not just your sweet tooth 🙂 In fact, there is a growing body of scientific evidence Read the rest of this entry »

I HATE soaking rice before I cook it; yet, I know it is a necessary step to making the perfect basmati rice and other long grain rices. Soaking rice has been done for thousands of years in both Asian and Mediterranean cultures. I remember “the soaking rice” in both my mother and grandmother’s kitchens. But, I really never researched WHY it is done until now and decided to share it with all of you.

Rinsing and soaking are two completely different processes for rice cooking.

Rinsing is traditionally used for “cleaning” the rice. It is best used when the rice contains impurities such as talc, dirt, bugs, and polishing powders. Depending upon the country of origin, the rice may have heaps to no impurities. Some people rinse the rice in place of soaking, but many experts argue Read the rest of this entry »

Rice with noodles or “RIZ BI SH’ARIEH” is my husband’s absolute favorite type of rice. It is great as a side dish. It can be served with your favorite stew or soup; it can even be served on its own with a great salad. When I first met Will, I had difficulty with getting the noodles just the right color, but I can finally say that I have perfected this dish 🙂

I have included my recipe below. If you haven’t tried it yet, I recommend it. Your guests will definitely be pleased, and they will notice that your rice looks and tastes special. I have decorated this one with carrots but you can serve it plain if you would like. Also, I use olive oil instead of butter….gotta stay Mediterranean Healthy 🙂 Read the rest of this entry »