Dalia's Kitchen: cookbook

Image by Sukaina Rajabali

I used to scold my mother for worrying too much about us. Growing up I was the child who was scared of riding a horse, skiing, or going on a hike because my mother was always anxious about us falling or hurting ourselves. She made sure that we knew all the gory details about anyone whoever fell, and even though I love you more than life dear Mami - I somewhat blame you for making me worry about people I care for so much now. I am officially a "mère poule", a mother hen in my adult days.

I'm not sure that the translation from French to English actually has the same underlying meaning, which is basically a mother that keeps her chicks very close so that nothing happens, and always worries about them. I have been in denial, and just realized over the weekend that I have turned into the worst kind. In my defense, there are valid reasons behind why I have become such a worrier. I do not want to get into my sad stories too much, but my father was diagnosed with lung cancer years ago, after I spotted his wheezing and sent him for a checkup. A while later, my nephew was diagnosed with congenital glaucoma, a serious eye condition which is very rare in children. Unfortunately he was misdiagnosed by several pediatricians. So I know for a fact that those two incidents in my life catapulted my anxiety to another level. Even though I like to think that I am a calm and realistic person in all other aspects of my life, and know better than to worry all the time, I simply do.

The reason for my rambling about this is that Phares, my son, started heavily coughing and breathing on Friday eve. To my surprise I was really calm and figured it was just a strong cough and a cold. That was until Phiras, my husband said that his wheezing looked like it could be asthma. Once he uttered those words, I called my pediatrician and when she did not answer, we rushed to the emergency immediately. Thank God, hamdellah, he only has a strong case of bronchitis, but the scare alone gave me a few more white hairs.

When we drove to the hospital I realized that we actually did not know how to get to the nearest one, even though we have lived in Dubai for so many years now! Well now we do and realized how silly we were for not knowing something so vital. I guess Phiras and I are still parents in training...

On to the yummier things in life, and one of my all time fav recipes, Peanut Butter French Toast. It's one of the older recipes on the blog, and actually made the front cover of BBC Good Food Middle East. Trust me it's a must unless you have a peanut allergy, and you can drizzle that peanut sauce on pretty much anything and everything! Absolutely divine...

Much love,

D xx

Recipe from the cookbook "Food, Love and Life from Dalia's Kitchen"

A week back in Paris and the best Baked eggs with Tomatoes & Cream...

My Salty Banoffee Pie and an exciting trip ahead...

Image by Sukaina Rajabali

It's back to school for everyone including myself, and even though I had an incredible holiday, Dubai is where the heart is ;) There are many exciting things lined up for the next few months, and I will divulge as they are happening inshAllah. It's also one of those decision-making times, as I can't do it all at once, so I'm a little anxious but also extremely excited about everything...

It will also be an important year for my little munchkin. Phares will be going to a new nursery full time starting next week. I think I'm more nervous than he is about it, so I'm spending every waking minute with him. All I want to do is squeeze and squash him all day. God bless you my life, God bless you.

Having said that, I am off to Paris for work next week. And so I am already dreading leaving my little family as I have never left the munchkins for that long. I'm just getting emotional writing about getting on that plane. And not to sound preferential, as I evidently love Baby J so very much, but she is just three months old and will not notice me being away as much as Phares will. These days, when I call home during the day and he utters the words "Mami come home" I drop everything like a silly goose and get back to the house (the perks of being self employed). But it's not something I can do next week so I will have to build some thicker skin until then, and make sure daddy Phiras gives the little ones extra hugs and smooches from me.

But of course, there is an absolutely wonderful side to this Paris trip, or else trust me I would not be going... I will be on a book tour, hosting cooking demos at the prestigious Maison & Objets fair! It's so very, very exciting and kind of a big deal for me. As mentioned, I grew up in Paris and being part of this world renowned fair is simply amazing for me. I will of course cover the events on the blog, and post images via Instagram as well. So stay tuned ;)

It has been a little while since I posted a recipe on the blog, so I thought my coming home post should be grand and absolutely decadent. And this Salty Banoffee Pie truly is just that... You can ask anyone who has had it at my dinner parties; it's always a star! It was also consumed with utmost joy at the photo shoot for the book with Sukaina, and every time I take a bite of it I talk to myself about how good this is. Hope I have convinced you to have a try, trust me - you will make it more than once.

Much love,

D xx

Recipe is in my cookbook "Food, Love and Life from Dalia's Kitchen"

(Please note 1st edition print typo: the measurement of icing sugar and whipping cream are mixed up.

4 cups of whipping cream to 1 cup of icing sugar)

Older Posts

A naughty but nice new chapter.. Welcome Kitsch Counter!

A gorgeous Christmas Turkey, a divine Sweet Potato Crumble and a Happy Holiday from Dubai xx

How do you say "mère poule" in English and my famous Peanut Butter French Toast

A week back in Paris and the best Baked eggs with Tomatoes & Cream...

My Salty Banoffee Pie and an exciting trip ahead...

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