Author: Chef Francois Aaraj
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The Most Expensive Mistake I Made as an Apprentice Chef
Every Chef Has a Story Like This When people watch my cooking videos today or prepare one of my recipes, they usually see the finished dish. Whether I’m making a comforting bowl of Lebanese lentil soup, baking fresh bread, preparing a creamy pasta, or sharing one of my favorite desserts, the recipe often looks effortless.…
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A Personal Story of Why I Started Teaching Cooking Online
If someone had asked me twenty years ago whether I would one day be teaching thousands of people how to cook through a screen, I probably would have smiled and said, “I don’t think so.” Back then, my life revolved around the fast-paced world of professional kitchens. I started my days before sunrise and often…
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Baklava Cheese Pie (Savory Cheese Phyllo Pie)
Imagine biting into dozens of crisp, buttery layers that shatter with every bite before revealing a warm, stretchy cheese filling inside. That is exactly what makes this Baklava Cheese Pie so irresistible. Although the word baklava usually makes people think of syrup, pistachios, and sweet desserts, this recipe takes the same delicate phyllo dough in…
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Mozzarella and Akkawi Cheese: Everything You Need to Know
Have you ever stood in front of the cheese section at the supermarket and wondered whether you should buy mozzarella or Akkawi cheese? At first glance, they may seem similar. Both have a light color, melt beautifully and appear in countless delicious recipes. However, once you taste them, cook with them, and understand their history,…
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Crispy Fried Food: Common Mistakes That Prevent Crunch
Few things are more disappointing than biting into, what is supposed to be, crispy fried food and discovering that it is soft, greasy, or soggy instead of golden and crispy. Whether you are making French fries, crispy chicken, onion rings, spring rolls, cheese rolls, or even falafel, everyone expects that satisfying crunch. However, achieving crispy…
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Why We Love Fish Sticks and Other Crispy Fried Foods
Let’s be honest. Nobody eats fish sticks because they are the healthiest food on the table. We eat them because they are delicious. There is something incredibly satisfying about biting into a crispy golden coating and hearing that unmistakable crunch before reaching the tender fish inside. Over the years, I have experimented with many ways…
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Lebanese Nammoura: The Traditional Semolina Cake
There are desserts that impress with their complexity, and then there are desserts that win hearts through simplicity. Lebanese nammoura, also spelled namoora, belongs to the second category. Families across the Levant and the Arab world transform a handful of humble pantry ingredients into one of the region’s most beloved desserts. For many of us,…
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Lebanese Meghleh: A Beautiful Traditional Dessert
There are desserts that satisfy a craving, and then there are desserts that tell a story. Lebanese meghleh belongs firmly in the second category. It is more than a sweet dish. It is a symbol of celebration, family, generosity, and heritage. Every spoonful carries memories that stretch back generations. Unlike modern desserts that come and…
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Fresh Homemade Guacamole: The Recipe That Stayed with Me
The First Time I Discovered Guacamole My first encounter with fresh homemade guacamole happened during my teenage years. At that time, I worked part-time in a small fast-food restaurant in my hometown while I studied culinary arts at a technical school. I always wanted to learn new skills and improve in the kitchen. So, when…
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The Complete Guide to Sour Cream: Recipe, Uses & Tips
Sour cream is one of those ingredients that quietly transforms a dish without demanding attention. A spoonful can make a baked potato irresistible, add richness to tacos, create silky sauces, and bring moisture to cakes and muffins. Yet many home cooks either overlook it or assume it is difficult to make. I used to think…