Featured Member: Chefkinthekitchen
Can you tell our readers about yourself, where are you from, where do you live?
I’m 24 years old from California. I was born in Algeria but grew up here in Southern California.
Can you tell us about your blog, how long have you been blogging and what inspired you to start a food blog?
My mom has and will always be my biggest inspiration. She always cooks the best meals and bakes the best desserts. I always wanted to be like her when I was young so when I finished college, I decided to start picking up on her recipes and making my own and that’s when I started to realize why she enjoyed it so much.
What do you like the most about blogging?
It’s a great creative outlet and allows me to express myself.
What is your biggest challenge as a blogger?
Honestly, it’s so hard to create content and sometimes websites like Instagram don’t allow everybody to see your creations that you put time and effort into because of specific algorithms.
What is your favorite Middle-Eastern dish?
It would have to be kabsa. The rice and chicken are full of flavor. I will have to put up a recipe for that soon!
Name 3 ingredients you love using in your dishes
I always love incorporating olive oil into everything. I also love lemon zest and paprika.
Give your Top 3 Food blogs that inspire you the most
Spiced.Nice
Freutcake
Fufuinthekitchen
What’s your favorite recipe from your blog?
My favorite recipe from my blog is the chicken corn tortilla soup. It has a combination of so many delicious flavors and the crisp of the tortilla on top adds a wonderful touch. And not to mention, it’s so easy to make!
What’s the one kitchen tool you could not live without?
I can’t live without my KitchenAid hand mixer. Best thing ever and such great quality.
The best piece of advice or tips you would give for people who want to learn how to cook.
I say practice makes perfect. Cooking in small quantities and testing spice amounts is how I started and was a way to make sure I didn’t over salt or over spice my dishes.
How can our viewers connect with you?
Instagram: chefkinthekitchen
Pinterest: chefkinthekitchen
Click here for more recipes from Chefkinthekitchen
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Featured member: Anna’s cooking concept
Each month, we feature a different food blogger who is part of EatLiveBegrateful community. This month, we feature Anna, a Lebanese expat, living in Dubai who writes the blog Anna’s cooking concept , where she blogs about clean eating and homemade food and shares her passion for experimenting with recipes to make them a little bit cleaner and healthier.
Can you tell our readers about yourself, where are you from, where do live?
My name is Anna. I’m from Lebanon and I moved to Dubai 2 years ago after I got married. I am an architect by day and a food blogger by night. Currently, I live here in Dubai with my husband.
Can you tell us about your blog, how long have you been blogging and what inspired you to start a food blog?
My blog is all about clean eating and homemade food. I have been blogging since 2016 and started my log as a way to share my passion for experimentations. I like to play with traditional recipes from different cuisines and make it a little bit cleaner and healthier. And when I say clean I don’t mean counting calories and using low-fat ingredients but what I mean is to use clean ingredients at there must natural state as I can and it is available and avoid any artificial additive and unnecessary chemical ingredients. For that homemade is always better for me. And I work on making all the recipes I make meal-prepping and packing friendly because I need that in my lifestyle like a lot of people also who follow my blog.
What do you like the most about blogging?
What I like the most are two things the recipe developing and food photography. I like this feeling of satisfaction and happiness whenever I compose a new recipe and it turn out delicious and same when I build a scene and take pictures for the recipe and the photoshoot turn out even better than I expected and reflect the deliciousness of the food, especially with my healthy clean food that is not as easy as comfort and junk food to take pictures of.
What is your biggest challenge as a blogger?
Social media is my biggest challenge. I work so hard on each blog article from recipe developing to photoshoot and article and it seems that the social media platform are not fair with content vs reach wise, and that has been my struggle always but I try always not to let that issue bring me down and make me hate my passion for food.
What is your favorite Middle-Eastern dish?
Honestly, I love all kind of food in our middle-eastern cuisine but if I have to choose one It have to be the “mouloukhiye” for me I can have it for lunch each and every day
Name 3 ingredients you love using in your dishes
Cinnamon, sumac, dates
Give your Top 3 Food blogs that inspire you the most
Ambitious kitchen
Oatmeal stories
Crowded kitchen
What’s your favorite recipe from your blog?
I have a lot of recipes that I love and proud of but one of my favorites must be the falafel burger
What’s the one kitchen tool you could not live without?
I could say my instant pot (pressure cooker machine) because it is a lifesaver when it comes to meal prep and amazingly good in preserving flavors and saving time
The best piece of advice or tips you would give for people who want to learn how to cook.
Experiment and don’t be afraid of failure. If it doesn’t work the first time try again and again until it works. Cooking is an art and a personal taste so never be afraid of adding your touch and most importantly enjoy it!
How can our viewers connect with you?
Instagram: annacookingconcept
Facebook: annacookingconcept
Blog: http://annacookingconcept.com/
Pinterest: Anna cooking concept
Click here for more recipes from Anna’s cooking concept.Featured Member: Cookin’ with Lena
Can you tell our readers about yourself, where are you from, where do you live?
I am a proud Palestinian. Born in Canada. Raised in Saudi Arabia. Living in the UAE.
Can you tell us about your blog, how long have you been blogging and what inspired you to start a food blog?
I run a cooking blog “CookinwithLena” but it is more than just a cooking blog. I major in Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, so my aim is to incorporate my knowledge about nutrition into cooking. I started my blog in 2016. I love sharing recipes, inspiring people, educating people and raising awareness about topics that I feel strongly about.
What do you like the most about blogging?
Blogging can be wonderful and very fulfilling if done right. I love having a platform where I can positively influence people even if it was a small group of people. I love interacting with people with similar interests. Blogging also helps me stay committed to my passion. It encourages me to evolve, develop and improve my skills and knowledge.
What is your favorite Middle-Eastern dish?
So many wonderful options to choose from. If I had to choose, I would pick maqlooba or mlokheya.
Name 3 ingredients you love using in your dishes?
Garlic
Olive oil
Coriander
Give your Top 3 Food blogs that inspire you the most
Instagram:
- @ Rawanshehs
- @ thelebaneseplate
- @ geminibakes
What’s your favorite recipe from your blog?
My granola recipe. It’s a winner.
What’s the one kitchen tool you could not live without?
My good old wooden spatula
Best piece of advice or tips you would give for people who want to learn how to cook.
“Learn how to cook. Try new recipes. Learn from your mistakes. Be fearless and above all have fun.” – Julia Child
How can our viewers connect with you?
Instagram: CookinwithLena
Click here for more recipes from Cookin’ with Lena
Featured member: Nadyas_cuisine
Can you tell our readers about yourselves, where are you from, where do you live?
My name is Nadia ghaddar, Lebanese, living in Zambia and a mama of 2 girls.
Can you tell us about your blog, how long have you been blogging and what inspired you to start a food blog?
My blog is about daily home-cooked dishes I prepare for my family. My passion for cooking made me start this blog.
What do you like the most about blogging?
The best thing about the blog is getting to meet new people and learn awesome recipes from different cultures.
What is your favorite Middle-Eastern dish?
My favorite dish is kibbe bi Laban.
Name 3 ingredients you love using in your dishes?
Spices, olive oil, and nuts of course.
Give your Top 3 Food blogs that inspire you the most
- Manal massoud
- Pots n bites
- Chefin disguise
What’s your favorite recipe from your blog?
I have 2 favorite recipes in my blog: pineapple cake and stuffed grape leaves.
What’s the one kitchen tool you could not live without?
My knife of course ☺
The best piece of advice or tips you would give for people who want to learn how to cook.
Cooking is fun, and its easier than you think. Keep it simple and follow your taste buds.
How can our viewers connect with you?
Facebook Page: Nadyas_cuisine
Instagram Page: nadyas_cuisine
Featured Member : Baiti_ana
Can you tell our readers about yourself, where are you from, where do you live?
My name is Mariam Tarabein born and raised in Lebanon then moved to Canada when I got married. I have five beautiful kids, four girls and one boy. I love cooking and creating new dishes. When I am eating a delicious dish with my family at a restaurant, I search all the ingredients that are in it and I recreate it.
Can you tell us about your blog, how long have you been blogging and what inspired you to start a food blog?
My family and friends always tell me to open my own blog but the idea wasn’t on my mind at all especially with taking care of my family. My three sisters inspired me to create the blog because they always make me feel like I’m the best cook. I just started my blog a couple of months ago.
What do you like the most about blogging?
I love sharing good recipes with other people and I love taking pictures and videos of that dish to help everyone see the exact way to cook it.
What is your favorite Middle-Eastern dish?
Mlokiyah
Makloubeh
Falafel
Name 3 ingredients you love using in your dishes
Chicken
Rice
Spices
I can create many recipes using those three ingredients.
Give your Top 3 Food blogs that inspire you the most
Foodnetwork
Tasty
Restaurants and Google ( I know they aren’t food blogs but I get my inspiration from them)
What’s your favorite recipe from your blog?
Since I love all of the recipes from my blog It’s very hard to choose one but I really like maaloubi , mlokiyi , mansif, chilli chicken and stuffed chicken.
What’s the one kitchen tool you could not live without
A good knife to cut everything perfectly.
Best piece of advice or tips you would give for people who want to learn how to cook
Create new ideas with your dishes that will make cooking more fun and tastier and don’t forget to take your time cooking because perfecting a dish is going to take more than one try.
How can our viewers connect with you?
Instagram Page: baiti_ana
Featured Member : Homecuisine.lb
Can you tell our readers about yourselves, where are you from, where do you live?
Hello everyone, we are a family who loves to try everything new!
We are from Lebanon, and we live in Zahle.
My mom Marie-Claude is the main chef, she is the treasurer of all secret recipes.
My sister Jennifer is a dietitian and I am Martine the sous – chef, photographer, food stylist and blogger. Well, actually I am a telecom engineer but food has always been my main interest.
Can you tell us about your blog, how long have you been blogging and what inspired you to start a food blog?
At Home Cuisine you can find traditional Lebanese food, and many other influenced cuisines. Maybe, this is because we are a fusion of cultures. Other than being Lebanese, we are descendants of Armenian and Argentinian grand-parents.
We were inspired by a friend four months ago, the time when we launched the first page of home cuisine.
What do you like the most about blogging?
We like blogging because it’s kind of exchange of experience between us and the readers, this way we enrich our knowledge and we help others to learn more skills.
What is your favorite Middle-Eastern dish?
We will list the favorite dish of each one of us.
-Shish barak, which is basically made of tiny meat dumplings cooked in a plain yogurt stew.
-Hummus.
-Grilled lamb meat.
-Mloukhieh.
Name 3 ingredients you love using in your dishes?
Anchovies, garlic and dill
Rice, potato and meat
Garlic, chicken and lemon juice
Salt, olive oil and pomegranate molasses
Give your Top 3 Food blogs that inspire you the most
No Garlic no onions
Jamie Oliver
Nigella Lawson
What’s your favorite recipe from your blog?
“Roulade de boeuf farcies avec de la sauce cerise.”
What’s the one kitchen tool you could not live without?
The Knife.
Best piece of advice or tips you would give for people who want to learn how to cook.
“Never stop trying.”
How can our viewers connect with you?
Eat Live Be Grateful blog:
https://eatlivebegrateful.com/profile/home-cuisine-lb/
Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/homecuisine.lb/
Instagram Page:
https://www.instagram.com/homecuisine.lb
Featured Member: Farah Saad (Farahscuisine)
This month, EatLiveBegrateful is super excited to interview Farah Saad of @Farahscuisine. Farah’s passion has always been cooking and food styling. Through her Instagram account, she shares simple and delicious recipes. Please visit our page where some of her recipes are featured.
Can you tell our readers about yourself, where are you from, where do you live?
My name is Farah Saad, I am a wife and a mom of two. I am a Lebanese living in Beirut. I completed my studies in Business & Management and worked in Finance.
Can you tell us about your blog, how long have you been blogging and what inspired you to start a food blog?
Cooking and food styling have always been my passion and it is the most enjoyable thing I do. My family inspired me to share with others my love for cooking and I started my blog almost a year ago. I mainly post simple and delicious recipes that require minimal effort and time.
What do you like the most about blogging?
What I like the most is that I get to know new people from different countries with different cultures, who share the same passion.
What is your favorite Middle-Eastern dish?
My favorite Middle Eastern dish is “Laban Immo “.
Name 3 ingredients you love using in your dishes?
My top 3 ingredients that are never missed in my kitchen are:
- Spices because they are the essential ingredient to boost any dish with flavor, aroma and color.
- Pomegranate molasses simply because I’m a big fan of it. I love to add it to my salads, my sauces and over many dishes.
- And nuts! Middle Eastern dishes and desserts are never complete without pine nuts, walnuts, almonds, cashews and pistachios!
Give your Top 3 Food blogs that inspire you the most
There are many unique Food blogs with great content that inspire me, but my favorites are:
- M.orfali
- Mamas.joy
- Potsnbites
What’s your favorite recipe from your blog?
I have 2 favorite recipes: The Strawberry Cheesecake and the Creamy Mushroom Chicken.
What’s the one kitchen tool you could not live without?
My food Processor?
The best piece of advice or tips you would give for people who want to learn how to cook.
The best advice I would give is to keep it simple and organized. Start by choosing simple and easy recipes and prepare all your ingredients ahead of time. Be patient, enjoy the learning process and you will impress everyone with the outcome.
How can our viewers connect with you?
Instagram: farahscuisine
Featured Member : Laila Farhat (Lylys Kitchen)
We are very excited to share with you our new featured members section in which we will feature each month one member of our community. This month, we would like to welcome Laila Farhat (Lylys Kitchen) as our first featured member. Laila shares her passion for food on her instagram account and on our website. She is very passionate about Middle-Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine. Please visit our page where all of her recipes are featured.
Can you tell our readers about yourself, where are you from, where do you live?
My name is Laila Farhat. I am Lebanese living in Los Angeles with my small family.
Can you tell us about your blog and what inspired you to start a food blog?
My blog is about my daily home cooking dishes. Friends & family inspired me to start my blog as a business, because they truly sure that my tasty food is going to inspire all kind of people.
What is your favorite Middle-Eastern dish?
My favorite Middle-Eastern dish is kibbeh b sunyeh because my family loves it.
Name 3 ingredients you love using in your dishes?
Eggplants , spices and potatoes
I choose eggplants and potatoes because I can make a several dish with them. Spices are the main ingredient to making good food.
Give your Top 3 Food blogs that inspire you the most
I have a lot of inspiration blogs, but these blogs are my top 3 favorites.
– Pots n bites
– Manal.massoud
– Atyab tabkha
What’s your favorite recipe from your blog?
I love all recipes especially when I try a new one. But my favorite one it will be always my special kibbeh b sunyeh.
What’s the one kitchen tool you could not live without?
The one tool that I can’t live without is a good sharp knife, especially when I making TABOULEH.
Best piece of advice or tips you would give for people who want to learn how to cook.
My best advice is to always be patient and to try several times don’t quit from the first time. There is a rule I always try to use it: if I can do it you can do it!!!! So each lady have to remember this rule when she wants to start cooking.
How can our viewers connect with you?
Instagram: lylyskitchen
