Healthier Part Whole Wheat Pizza Dough My family favour white bread over brown and pizza is my kids favourite food (next to pasta) so in a bid to get us eating a little healthier I made our homemade pizza base using half whole wheat flour and the children didn’t even notice i.e. complain. My husband on the other … Read more
Non-Traditional Deep Pan Margherita Pizza I know, I know it’s not the perfect circular pizza but then again most of us don’t lead a ‘perfect’ life and the rustic approach I’m sure you’ll agree has its own charms. Deep pillow-like bread base, topped with rich oregano-heavy tomato sauce, that’s right no basil! but feel free to add some … Read more
Pizza Hut is an international fast-food restaurant chain that specializes in serving pizza. It was founded in 1958 by Dan and Frank Carney and now operates over 18,000 locations worldwide. Pizza Hut offers a variety of pizzas with different toppings, crusts, and sizes, as well as other menu items such as pasta dishes, chicken wings, … Read more
Buffalo Wild Wing’s halal status has been the center question among Muslim diners who seek to enjoy their meals while observing dietary prescriptions; their quest is not just centered around halal-certified buffalo wings but transcends to other entrees including sides like fries (both French fries and potato wedges), onion rings seasoned with garlic powder, salads … Read more
This often puzzles many, especially those who follow Islamic dietary laws and love the smoky taste of traditional bacon but are unable to indulge due to religious restrictions regarding pork consumption. We’ll discuss everything from zabiha halal practices that help transform beef—yes, delicious halal beef!—into a sumptuous chunk of bacon (known commonly as ‘beef bacon’), … Read more
Chtitha Lham ~ Algerian Lamb / Mutton & Chickpea Stew, another dish fit for your EID Al Adha table. You know me, ever aspiring to be the Algerian cook although, truly an English woman and yes still stuck in my ‘western mentality’ most days of wanting nothing better to eat or easier to cook than throwing a pizza … Read more
Minestrone – A classic Italian soup loaded with vegetables, beans, tomatoes and pasta. A bowl of colour, warmth and nutrition during these ever increasingly cold winter days. That’s of course if you’re in my part of the world and no I don’t really see it as mine but, you know I’m a terrible writer?! I don’t know how many times … Read more
Cauliflower Gratin / Gratin de chou-fleur. A creamy, cheesy, with a hint of spice white béchamel sauce, covers florets of in-season boiled cauliflower. Topped with more cheese and baked until golden. As many of the dishes I’ve cooked recently, this cauliflower gratin was introduced to me by my Algerian mother-in-law. As we all know, the French ruled Algeria for … Read more
Fast food chains have become a staple in many people’s lives, offering quick and convenient meals for those on the go. For Muslims, however, finding halal options can sometimes be a challenge. One popular fast-food chain that has garnered attention in recent years is Jollibee. With its origins in the Philippines, Jollibee has expanded globally … Read more
In today’s diverse food landscape, individuals of different cultural and religious backgrounds need to have access to a variety of options that align with their dietary restrictions. One such consideration is halal food, which refers to food that adheres to Islamic dietary law. The question “Is pepperoni halal?” is one that may arise for those … Read more
Are you a fan of Chick-fil-A and also follow halal dietary guidelines? As more and more people are becoming conscious about what they consume, there has been an increasing demand for halal food options in the fast-food industry. Popular chains like The Halal Guys and Pizza Hut have already tapped into this market by offering … Read more
In today’s multicultural society, people of various religious backgrounds need to be well-informed about different dietary practices. For those who follow Islamic dietary laws, the concept of Halal becomes particularly relevant when it comes to consuming chicken meat. Halal refers to something permissible or lawful by Islamic law and teachings outlined in the Holy Quran. … Read more
The issue of whether salami is halal or haram has become a hot topic of discussion among Muslim consumers in recent years. As awareness grows about the importance of adhering to Islamic dietary laws, individuals are seeking clarity on the halal status of various food products, including this popular cured meat. To determine if salami … Read more
As the month of Ramadan approaches and the weather gets warmer what do we make? we make soup, Moroccan Orzo Soup. Warm weather doesn’t exactly make you think of eating soup but you see my family and I eat soup during most Ramadan nights after breaking our fasts, the weather is cooler and soup is a great way to … Read more
Today I’m sharing a recipe for my family’s favourite, Khobz Ftir bel Chakchouka. An Algerian semolina galette stuffed with a cooked-down onion and tomato Chakchouka. My 5 & a half year old asks me to make this Chakchouka-stuffed Ftir for dinner A LOT. That’s when he’s not busy asking for the un-stuffed version at breakfast! Chakchouka / Shakshuka … Read more
Extra Virgin Olive Oil Scones; light and tender quick breads with deep fruity olive flavour and the slightest hint of vanilla. I was out of butter margarine (yuk! but that’s what I get when I ask father-in-law for ‘Zibda‘) when I wanted to bake something to have as a sweet treat along with our afternoon coffee. I’m no stranger … Read more
Sfinz / Sfenj – North African doughnuts. MENA Cooking Club challenged us this month with 3 dishes from Libya; a soup, a stew/tagine and North African doughnuts / fried bread. I’ve cooked a lot of soups and stews from neighbouring Algeria but that didn’t stop me trying the Libyan lamb, carrot and green olive tagine. I made my recurring tagine mistake of halving … Read more
Mhadjeb (singular) Mahdjouba (plural); A labour of love, even with the help of my trusty stand mixer! Mhadjeb is a thin semolina stuffed flatbread. Some say it’s more crepe than bread but to me it’s more like pastry especially due to the amount of effort required to make it. They are usually made with a onion and tomato sauce … Read more
Khfaf is a spongy fried rounds of bread dough with a thick, tender chewy edge and thin slightly crispy centre. Eaten for breakfast or as an afternoon treat with a cup of coffee or tea. Plain or topped in cinnamon sugar, it’s hard to resist eating only one. I’m a bit late this week sharing … Read more
Pringles, the popular potato-based snack, are generally considered halal, as they do not contain any ingredients derived from haram sources such as pork or alcohol. However, some flavours of Pringles may not be halal, as they may contain ingredients such as gelatin or natural flavourings that may be derived from non-halal sources. It is important … Read more