Arabic

Eggplants and I have come a long way. Apart from baba ganoush, I found it a difficult vegetable to prepare. But I’ll get back to you on that. I’ve come to love eggplant more and more. They have slowly but surely convinced me how delicious eggplants actually are. I think one day eating an overly raw eggplant has stayed with me a little too long as a bad experience. But this purple miracle deserves many new chances. This dish also shows how wonderfully delicious you can prepare them.

If I were sent to a deserted island and I could only choose three things to take with me to eat, hummus would be at the top of my list. I N-E-V-E-R ever have enough of it. Especially if you vary a bit with toppings. This topping with fried eggplant, walnut, mint, parsley and some lemon is super tasty. Super smooth. And even more tasteful of course.

It was Grandma Billy who inspired me to do this. And that’s why this recipe is dedicated to her. She’s been following à la Damaris for a while. Has her favourite dishes – bulgurpilav with cauliflower is one of them – and she regularly pops up on the chat with an enthusiastic reaction or a question. One day, she asked me if I knew how to roast pumpkin seeds that you have left over from your pumpkin. I did not have the answer for her, but sent her a few suggestions/links. And soon she told me it was exactly what she had looked for. And it worked out great. Now yesterday I had pumpkin seeds left over from no less than 8 squash. So I made my version of it today. And the result? Joris started to love me a little more today. All thanks to grandma Billy. But that’s what grandma’s are for, right?

Mash, a typical Dutch meal, I didn’t grow up with it. And I am usually not a big fan. But this mash is lovely. It’s a mash that has it all. An interesting variety of flavors, textures, and colors. Turnip, spinach, endive, dill, caramelized onions, some vegan cheese…. and delicious fresh yogurt… Well… That requires making and eating of course.