Lahm Bi Ajeen: Lebanese Meat Pies
You can call this the Middle Eastern pizza! Its name, Lahme Bi Ajine, literally means “meat with dough”—and honestly, could there be a better combination? Meat? Good! Dough? Good! Add...
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All posts by Mia Florea
I'm a business graduate turned Pastry Chef with a passion for cooking savory dishes as well. My culinary journey began in 2011 after the birth of my first daughter, and I haven't looked back since. I spent 17 years in the Gulf Region, including Dubai and Qatar, where I had the privilege of working with 'The Cooking Academy.' During my time there, I served as a teacher for various classes and briefly took on the role of General Manager. After the pandemic, I launched my own project, 'Baked by Mia,' a cooking platform that came to life in 2020. The goal of this platform is to encourage everyone to bake more, focusing not on the perfection often associated with being a pastry chef, but on embracing and enjoying time spent in the kitchen with family and friends.
White Chocolate & Mango Tart with Raspberry Coulis
Lemon tart move over! There’s a new player in town! This white chocolate & mango tart with raspberry coulis can easily become a family favorite. The raspberry coulis adds that...
Roasted Quails with Moroccan Couscous Stuffing & Apricot Sauce
This dish has a wow factor that’s sure to impress! Packed with bold flavors and contrasting textures, it’s surprisingly easy to make yet elegant enough for a special occasion. The...
Hashweh Rice: Middle Eastern Rice w/ Ground Beef & Yogurt Sauce
Experience the bold flavors of the Middle East with this aromatic rice and spiced ground beef dish. Fluffy, cardamom-infused rice is tossed with seasoned ground beef (or lamb), peas, and...
Roasted Zucchini Rolls with Shrimp & Cheese
This appetizer is perfect for any season. On warm, sunny days, you can use an outdoor grill to roast the zucchini, while during the colder months, your trusty oven will...
Middle Eastern Stuffed Potatoes (Batata Mahshi)
Batata Mahshi (or Batata Mahshiyeh) translates to “stuffed potatoes”, a beloved dish in Middle Eastern cuisine. These tender potatoes are filled with a flavorful mixture of rice and meat, then...
Mini Shrimp & Bacon Quiches
What says more French patisserie than a quiche?! There are so many variations for this delightful bake, however if you are to host a fancier gathering, then a shrimp filling...
Polenta Casserole w/ Sausage & Spinach
This is one of those comforting dishes I’ve ever made and it works all year round. Loved by all and a great crowd pleaser! This rustic casserole is where creamy...
Saffron-Ginger Trifle w/ Homemade Orange Marmalade
What better way to switch up the flavors of a trifle for a celebration than adding an oriental twist! The saffron elevates the pastry cream, the orange marmalade is an...
Hot Chocolate with Homemade Marshmallows
If there’s anything you should be making this winter, it’s your own marshmallows! They are super soft and melt-in-your-mouth delicious! And if you’re making marshmallows, you might as well make...
Pistachio Sandwich Cookies
Maybe one of the best flavor combinations in the world is pistachios and chocolate! If you don’t believe me, try it yourself with these buttery pistachio sandwich cookies filled with...
Matcha Cranberry Rolls with Jam and Cream Cheese Frosting
Not everyone is a fan of matcha powder, but in these Matcha Cranberry Rolls, the earthy flavor of matcha pairs beautifully with the sweet and tangy cranberry jam. Finished with...
Cardamom Pecan Pie Bars
These cardamom pecan pie bars combine a buttery almond-cardamom base with a rich topping of chopped pecans, coconut, and a hint of lemon zest and ginger. Baked until golden and...
Karak Tea Cake w/ Spiced Apple Filling & Cardamom Cream Cheese Frosting
A cake packed with rich flavors and Middle Eastern spices that’s surprisingly easy to make! You don’t need to be a professional baker to create this impressive dessert, but you’ll...
Sautéed Peppers with Cheese
If you are watching the thick autumn fog and long for warm summer days in the Greek sun, then this sautéed peppers recipe will definitely take you there! Not literally,...
Sun-Dried Tomato & Pumpkin Biscuit Rolls
Pumpkin features everywhere during fall, so why not in biscuits?! These rolls are delicious to have for breakfast, but they can easily accompany a hearty creamy fall vegetable soup. Either...
Kohlrabi Fritters with Mango Lime Sauce
Kohlrabi, also called German turnip, tends to be a forgotten fall vegetable. But, in the right flavor combinations, it can be a star! In addition, kohlrabi is very healthy –...
Zucchini Bread with Garlic Labneh
This zucchini bread has a dense texture but it is light and packed full of flavor. Alongside garlic labneh, it makes a great meal starter. Enjoy! Related: Easy Zucchini QuicheRelated: Creamy...
Sweet Potato Crème Brûlée
This dessert screams fall. Easy to make, super flavorful, and great for anyone who wants a gluten free treat – and anyone else! If you need more convincing to try...
Basbousa
A classic Middle Eastern dessert perfect for any occasion however widely enjoyed during Ramadan days. Basbousa is popular from Egypt to Kuwait and even in the Balkans (known as revani...
Parmesan Thyme Shortbread w/ Feta Dip & Cranberry Sauce
These parmesan thyme shortbread cookies with a creamy feta cheese dip, topped with cranberry sauce, are a perfect party amuse-bouche or holiday starter. The salty, sweet, tangy flavor with the...
Ginger Beetroot Muffins w/ Maple Glaze
Beetroot loves ginger and ginger loves beetroot! Adding freshly grated uncooked beetroot to these muffins ensures an earthy, sweet flavor, despite the bright red fading. These ginger beet muffins are...
Syrian Chicken Shawarma
There’s only one way of having a shawarma and that is the Syrian way! And it’s all about the toum or “thumiye” meaning the delicious Middle Eastern garlic sauce! Of...
Creamy Rice Pudding with Mango Coulis
Rice puddings have been swept under the rug for way too long. It’s time we pull them out and give them the love and attention they deserve! This creamy rice...