This strawberry rose cake is made with box mix and jello, but your guests will never know.

Crispy beer-battered tilapia with pickled mango slaw, radishes, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime.

Super moist yogurt cake with a layer of syrupy figs, all scented with orange blossom water (feel free to omit).

much like strawberry rhubarb, but you can make this one year-round, or when you don’t feel like making a special trip to that *one* market.

Lebanese-style elotes, with garlicky mayo, crumbled feta, chili powder, and parsley.

This classic Lebanese garlic spread is notoriously difficult, but I finally learned a fool-proof way to make sure it’s always perfect.

Banana cream pie with crunchy, creamy halva, and a little pinch of cardamom. It’s the pie you know and love with a little twist.

My favorite Persian appetizer, with heaps of fresh herbs and creamy baked feta. It’s so easy to throw together, and totally stunning.

Tips for storing baked goods without losing quality (what to refrigerate, what to freeze, and how to make a cake ahead of time)

Tacos árabes are pork shawarma tacos from Puebla, Mexico; they were created by Lebanese and Iraqi immigrants in the early 20th century.

Soft and fluffy banana hot cross buns with orange blossom glaze

Tender lamb falling off the bone in a sweet & sour pomegranate red pepper bbq sauce, with toasted walnuts (plus make ahead instructions)

This sheetpan version of an Iraqi stew has caramelized teeny tiny meatballs, potatoes, cherry tomatoes, and lots of other good stuff.

My family’s super easy recipe for fattoush (everyone’s favorite Middle Eastern salad).

With this recipe, you don’t need a blender to make perfect crêpes (and even if you have a blender… now you don’t need to wash it!).

A lemony Iraqi tomato stew with meat-bulgur dumplings and greens.

The familiar flavor of lemon and poppy, but with the more fragrant and mellow flavor of preserved lemons.

French onion soup with lentils, crunchy fried onions, cheesy croûtes, and so much caramelized onion flavor

Cinnamon rose meringues 3 different ways (sandwich cookies, meringue-studded cake, and eton mess yogurt parfait)