Date Night – An Easy Date Syrup

I’m loathe to waste anything. Perhaps this is a Persian thing. Or perhaps not. It’s definitely a “me” thing. Recently, I lucked into a big, fresh batch of medjool dates. They’re creamy, caramel-y, and just perfect. But wouldn’t you know it? I had some other dates lying around that were looking pretty sad. You know [...]

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Decadent and Easy Valentine’s Day Dessert Options

Stressing over making a homemade dessert for Valentine’s Day? Don’t worry, my loves, I gotcha covered with a few simple, quick options: Chocolate Almond and Apricot Truffles Or you could salvage a broken cake with my Chocolate Cherry Trifle: Another fun and easy option: Molten Chocolate Cakes with a Middle Eastern Flair If chocolate’s not [...]

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Warming Winter Spiced Tea and Cookies

Nothing warms my heart quite like a cup of hot tea and a plate of cookies on a cold winter’s afternoon. Have I ever told you guys about my tea collection? No joke, I have about fifty, as in 5-0, different types of tea. taking up a fair amount of precious real estate in my [...]

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Chocolately Holiday Cookie With a Persian Twist

In my world, no holiday is needed to enjoy chocolate, but the holidays sure are a great excuse to do just that. I posted this recipe last year, almost exactly a year ago, in fact. It stands the test of time, and it’s worth sharing with everyone again. Like many of you, I’ve hardly had [...]

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Mission Fig Jam with Warm Fall Spices

    Canning and preserving has always both scared and fascinated me. On the one hand, it seems so practical, nourishing, and creative. It conjures up images of pantries full of summer’s bounty that can be enjoyed on cold, snowy nights. On the other hand, it strikes me as highly technical and like there’s all [...]

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Gazelle’s Horn Cookies

A heart filled with desire for sweetness and tender souls must not waste itself with unsavory matters —-Rumi The above is quoted from a ghazal poem by Rumi (the famous Persian poet). The words above speak to me especially now, in light of recent events and changes in my life. More and more I’m learning [...]

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A Chill Summer Bollywood Dinner Party Plan

I adore dinner parties. Love giving them, love attending them, and love, of course, all of that wonderful eating and socializing. Dinner parties are such a civilized way to re-connect in our GO GO GO world. But let’s face it–dinner parties can be WORK. I’m having one in a few days, and this time, I’ve resolved [...]

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Watermelon Mint Cooler Slushie

Today’s chill slushie is the perfect anecdote to hot and dehydrating summer days (and nights)! It’s refreshing and cooling to drink, and beautiful to look at. And one of my favorite ingredients–watermelon, is the base of the drink. I just adore watermelon. For me, it brings back such happy memories. Some of them are kinda [...]

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(Almost) Wordless Wednesday: a New Headshot, Plus: Vegan Cheesecake, Anyone?

I said this would be an Almost Wordless Wednesday . This is I just have to share:  my friend Marisa, a budding professional photographer and former model, took some headshots of me yesterday. So far, this one below is my fave. Of course everyone has a different opinion on which shot they like best, and [...]

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Assorted Random Things I Love

Today’s post is gonna be a bit self-indulgent. I have the right, though. Birthday Girl’s Privilege. Yep, my bday is this coming Sunday. It falls on Easter this year, which I think is pretty cool, because it’s a time of rebirth and renewal.  No matter what creed or religion we follow (or don’t follow), the [...]

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