Author: Chef Francois Aaraj
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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…
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Pico de Gallo vs Salsa: A Chef’s Fresh Perspective
There are some recipes that win us over with complexity. They simmer for hours, require special techniques, and leave the kitchen smelling wonderful long before they reach the table. Then there are recipes that earn our respect for the exact opposite reason. They are simple, fresh, and made from ingredients we often already have at…
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Can a Dessert Be Healthy? Discover the Berry-Cado Chia Cup
When most people think about dessert, words such as indulgent, sweet, rich, and decadent often come to mind. Nutrient-dense is usually not one of them. For decades, desserts have carried a reputation for being something we enjoy occasionally rather than something that contributes positively to our overall diet. However, modern home cooks and professional chefs…
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Why Restaurant Chicken Always Tastes Better Than Homemade
Have you ever ordered a simple chicken dish at a restaurant and wondered why it tasted so much better than the chicken you make at home? The ingredients may seem almost identical. The restaurant is using chicken, salt, herbs, spices, and perhaps a few vegetables or a sauce. Yet somehow the final result feels completely…
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How a Simple Rice Pudding Became a Cherished Family Tradition
There are certain foods that stay with us forever. Years can pass, we can travel to different countries, taste countless dishes, and experience the finest restaurants, yet a single bite of a familiar childhood recipe can bring us right back home. For me, that recipe is simple rice pudding. In Lebanon, we call it Riz…
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Baking Soda vs Baking Powder: What’s the Real Difference?
Have you ever started baking a cake, muffins, or cookies and paused for a moment when you reached the ingredients list and wondered which leavening agent to use? And what is the difference between baking soda vs baking powder. The recipe asked for baking powder. You looked in your cupboard and found baking soda instead.…