The {Page-Turner-Cookbook} featuring
Yemen
Cuisine is influenced by:- Asian -
Yemen:4 recipes
Green Schug
Grilled cauliflower with red chili zhug yogurt - black garlic - hazelnut dukah and mint salsa verde
Hazelnut Dukkah - the food booster
Red zhoug - schug
Asian:5 recipes
Brown rice and chicken stir fry with edamame and walnuts
Meringues with ginger ice cream and chocolate sauce
Oriental lemon chicken
Spicy peanut chicken
Tomato stack salad
Yemen's most famous dish is considered to be Saltah سلتة (also spelt Salta), and Yemeni lunch often consists of it. Ingredients are minced meat and vegetable (eggplant, tomato, okra or onion is mainly used, like Ratatouille in France), and cooked with heat on high, then finally Fenugreek (leaf) puree is topped on.
Chicken, goat, and lamb are the staple meats in Yemen. They are eaten more often than beef, which is expensive. Fish is also eaten, especially in the coastal areas. Cheese, butter, and other dairy products are less common in the Yemeni diet.
Chicken, goat, and lamb are the staple meats in Yemen. They are eaten more often than beef, which is expensive. Fish is also eaten, especially in the coastal areas. Cheese, butter, and other dairy products are less common in the Yemeni diet.
Green Schug 
Schug also known as schug, zhug, and skhug is a Middle Eastern blend of herbs, chilies, and toasted spice often used in Yemeni and
Israeli cooking.It might be red, green, or brown. The sauce is made from fresh red or green hot peppers and is seasoned with garlic, coriander, and cumin. Then fresh herbs such as parsley and cilantro are added. A brown schug is usually a green pepper variety with tomatoes added in.
Serves: 8
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1/2 cup seeded and roughly chopped fresh hot green chilies, such as serrano or jalapenos, stemmed and seeded
2 to 3 garlic cloves, smashed and peeled
2 cups lightly packed cilantro leaves
2 cups lightly packed flat-leaf parsley leaves
zest from one lemon
3 tablespoons lemon juice
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Israeli cooking.It might be red, green, or brown. The sauce is made from fresh red or green hot peppers and is seasoned with garlic, coriander, and cumin. Then fresh herbs such as parsley and cilantro are added. A brown schug is usually a green pepper variety with tomatoes added in.
Serves: 8
Preparation time:5 minutes
Cooking time:8 minutes
1 teaspoon coriander seeds1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1/2 cup seeded and roughly chopped fresh hot green chilies, such as serrano or jalapenos, stemmed and seeded
2 to 3 garlic cloves, smashed and peeled
2 cups lightly packed cilantro leaves
2 cups lightly packed flat-leaf parsley leaves
zest from one lemon
3 tablespoons lemon juice
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1. In a small skillet, toast the cumin and coriander seeds until they smell fragrant and have turned a shade darker in color. Transfer to a spice grinder or crush with a mortar and pestle.
2. Put the chilies and garlic in a food processor and pulse a few times until they are fairly fine. Add the cilantro, parsley, lemon zest, reserved toasted spiced, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and a few twists of black pepper. Pulse until all is finely chopped into a rough purée. Continue mixing while drizzling in the olive oil. Stop the processor before the sauce is completely blended and smooth—you want some texture. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning to taste.
2. Put the chilies and garlic in a food processor and pulse a few times until they are fairly fine. Add the cilantro, parsley, lemon zest, reserved toasted spiced, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and a few twists of black pepper. Pulse until all is finely chopped into a rough purée. Continue mixing while drizzling in the olive oil. Stop the processor before the sauce is completely blended and smooth—you want some texture. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning to taste.
Grilled cauliflower with red chili zhug yogurt - black garlic - hazelnut dukah and mint salsa verde
A head of cauliflower can be transformed into a super satisfying vegetarian dinner. This is a festive and fun recipe. It looks so dramatic on the table.
If you have no desire making the black garlic, you can buy it online. Black garlic
Serves: 4
1 gallon water
3 tablespoons salt, divided
1 tablespoon of cumin
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
Red chili zhug yogurt
Black garlic paste
Hazelnut dukah
Mint salsa verde
If you have no desire making the black garlic, you can buy it online. Black garlic
Serves: 4
Preparation time:1 hour 50 minutes
Cooking time:30 minutes
1 - 2-pound head cauliflower with leaves1 gallon water
3 tablespoons salt, divided
1 tablespoon of cumin
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
Red chili zhug yogurt
Black garlic paste
Hazelnut dukah
Mint salsa verde
Trim stem of cauliflower by removing the leaves, so it will sit level on a rimmed baking sheet. Bring 2 gallons water to a boil in a large stockpot over high. Stir in 2 1/2 tablespoons salt and 1 tablespoon of cumin until dissolved.
Add cauliflower to water; place a heatproof ceramic plate on top of cauliflower to keep it submerged. Boil until tender and a fork inserted in cauliflower meets no resistance, 12 to 13 minutes. Using a spider strainer, gently lift cauliflower from water, and let drain in spider, allowing water to drip back into pot. Place cauliflower, stem side down, on a rimmed baking sheet. Let stand until cauliflower has cooled slightly and is dry to the touch, about 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, Preheat oven to 500°F with oven rack in center of oven.
Brush 1 tablespoon olive oil over cauliflower to apply a thin, even layer. Sprinkle remaining teaspoon of salt over cauliflower. Bake in preheated oven until golden brown, about 20 minutes. Remove from oven, and carefully brush with remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil.
Cover with Red chili zhug yogurt,
Black garlic paste,
Hazelnut dukah and
Mint salsa verde. Decorate with a few mint leaves and serve immediately.
Add cauliflower to water; place a heatproof ceramic plate on top of cauliflower to keep it submerged. Boil until tender and a fork inserted in cauliflower meets no resistance, 12 to 13 minutes. Using a spider strainer, gently lift cauliflower from water, and let drain in spider, allowing water to drip back into pot. Place cauliflower, stem side down, on a rimmed baking sheet. Let stand until cauliflower has cooled slightly and is dry to the touch, about 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, Preheat oven to 500°F with oven rack in center of oven.
Brush 1 tablespoon olive oil over cauliflower to apply a thin, even layer. Sprinkle remaining teaspoon of salt over cauliflower. Bake in preheated oven until golden brown, about 20 minutes. Remove from oven, and carefully brush with remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil.
Cover with Red chili zhug yogurt,
Black garlic paste,
Hazelnut dukah and
Mint salsa verde. Decorate with a few mint leaves and serve immediately.
Hazelnut Dukkah - the food booster
Dukkah: The secret weapon that elevates the texture and flavors of food. It is a flavorful Middle Eastern spice blend made with fragrant spices and and toasted nuts.
Serves: 8
½ cup hazelnuts
3 tablespoon almonds
4 tablespoon white sesame seeds
3 tablespoon shelled pistachios
1 tablespoon fennel seeds
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
kosher salt
Serves: 8
Preparation time:5 minutes
Cooking time:10 minutes
For Dukkah: ½ cup hazelnuts
3 tablespoon almonds
4 tablespoon white sesame seeds
3 tablespoon shelled pistachios
1 tablespoon fennel seeds
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
kosher salt
Place the hazelnuts and almonds in a dry cast iron pan without oil. Toast briefly over medium-high heat, tossing regularly, until the nuts turn a nice golden brown. Transfer to a side dish.
Place the sesame seeds in the same skillet and toast over medium heat, tossing regularly, until the sesame seeds turn golden brown.
Add the toasted nuts and sesame seeds to the bowl of a small food processor fitted with a blade. Add the pistachios, fennel seeds, spices, and a dash of salt. Pulse for a few seconds until you reach a nice coarse mixture. Do not over process. The mixture should not be too fine.
Transfer the dukkah to a bowl. You can store the dukkah in a tight-lid jar for up to 2 weeks. Use as a topping for salad, soup, chicken, meats, or roasted vegetables.
Place the sesame seeds in the same skillet and toast over medium heat, tossing regularly, until the sesame seeds turn golden brown.
Add the toasted nuts and sesame seeds to the bowl of a small food processor fitted with a blade. Add the pistachios, fennel seeds, spices, and a dash of salt. Pulse for a few seconds until you reach a nice coarse mixture. Do not over process. The mixture should not be too fine.
Transfer the dukkah to a bowl. You can store the dukkah in a tight-lid jar for up to 2 weeks. Use as a topping for salad, soup, chicken, meats, or roasted vegetables.
Red zhoug - schug
Originally from Yemen and Israel, this fiery hot sauce components are always from a variety of fresh chiles, herbs, and spices, and garlic. Use schug as a dipping sauce for toasted pita, falafel or as a marinade for kebobs. Red zhug, also known as Zhoug or schug is made with red peppers while green zhug is made with green peppers, or jalapeños.
1 cup grapeseed oil
2 large red bell peppers, stemmed and seeded, cut into 8 pieces
8 red chiles stemmed and seeded, cut in half
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon ground paprika
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1⁄4 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground green cardamom pods, with the husks
1⁄2 teaspoon ground cumin
2 teaspoons kosher salt
3 garlic minced cloves
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons packed cilantro leaves, chopped
Preparation time:10 minutes
Cooking time:5 minutes
Makes 1 cup1 cup grapeseed oil
2 large red bell peppers, stemmed and seeded, cut into 8 pieces
8 red chiles stemmed and seeded, cut in half
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon ground paprika
1 teaspoon ground turmeric
1⁄4 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground green cardamom pods, with the husks
1⁄2 teaspoon ground cumin
2 teaspoons kosher salt
3 garlic minced cloves
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons packed cilantro leaves, chopped
Add the oil to a large sauté pan and place on the stove over high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the bell peppers and chiles and fry while continuously stirring for about 10 minutes, until the peppers start to blister and darken in color.
Remove the peppers and chiles from the oil, set aside, and let cool. Add the cooled fried peppers and chiles and the paprika, turmeric, cloves, cardamom, cumin, salt, garlic, and lemon juice to a food processor and blend, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula when necessary, until the mixture is the consistency of a coarce puree. Transfer to a bowl and set aside to cool, then add the cilantro and stir to combine. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Remove the peppers and chiles from the oil, set aside, and let cool. Add the cooled fried peppers and chiles and the paprika, turmeric, cloves, cardamom, cumin, salt, garlic, and lemon juice to a food processor and blend, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula when necessary, until the mixture is the consistency of a coarce puree. Transfer to a bowl and set aside to cool, then add the cilantro and stir to combine. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Brown rice and chicken stir fry with edamame and walnuts
Serves: 6
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time:40 minutes
1/2 cup coarsely chopped walnuts 4 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts halves, thinly sliced crosswise
1 teaspoon honey
4 teaspoons oriental sesame oil
4 teaspoons minced fresh ginger
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 cups cooked short grain brown rice, cooled
2 cups shelled cooked edamame beans
2/3 cup chopped green onions
Stir walnuts in nonstick skillet over medium heat until lightly toasted. Drizzle 2 tablespoons soy sauce over walnuts; stir until soy sauce coats walnuts. Cool.
Combine chicken, 2 tablespoons soy sauce and honey; toss to coat. Let stand 15 minutes.
Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over high heat. Add chicken and stir fry 2 minutes. Add ginger and garlic and stir fry 30 seconds. Add cooked rice and edamame; reduce heat to medium and stir fry until heated through. Season with salt and pepper. Divide rice mixture among plates.
Sprinkle with green onions and walnuts
Combine chicken, 2 tablespoons soy sauce and honey; toss to coat. Let stand 15 minutes.
Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over high heat. Add chicken and stir fry 2 minutes. Add ginger and garlic and stir fry 30 seconds. Add cooked rice and edamame; reduce heat to medium and stir fry until heated through. Season with salt and pepper. Divide rice mixture among plates.
Sprinkle with green onions and walnuts
Meringues with ginger ice cream and chocolate sauce
Serves: 6
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time:1 hour 30 minutes
1 1-inch piece ginger root 2/3 cup sugar
2 cups whipping cream
Meringues:
5 egg whites
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 1/4 cups sugar
pinch of salt
SATIN CHOCOLATE SAUCE:
8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate
1/2 cup corn syrup
1/4 cup milk
2 teaspoons butter
Meringues:
Grease and flour 17x11-inch jelly roll pan or line with parchment paper. Beat egg whites and cream of tartar until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in sugar and salt until stiff and glossy. Pipe or spoon meringues, about 1/2 inch high, into 8 individual circles.
Bake in 250 degree oven for 1 1/2 hours or until light golden. Turn off oven; let stand in oven for 1 hour.
In food processor fitted with metal blade or in blender, blend ginger with sugar. Whip cream until soft peaks form; gradually beat in half of the ginger sugar until firm. Break two of the meringues in small pieces; fold into whipped cream. Pack into airtight container and freeze for 4 hours or until set, or for up to 5 days.
Let ice cream soften in refrigerator for about 20 minutes before using.
SATIN CHOCOLATE SAUCE:
Combine chocolate, corn syrup, remaining ginger sugar and milk in a saucepan. Heat over medium heat until melted, while stirring constantly.
Remove from heat and stir in the butter.
Stores well for up to a month in refrigerator.
To assemble, place meringues on individual plates; top with scoops of ice cream and drizzle with chocolate sauce.
Grease and flour 17x11-inch jelly roll pan or line with parchment paper. Beat egg whites and cream of tartar until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in sugar and salt until stiff and glossy. Pipe or spoon meringues, about 1/2 inch high, into 8 individual circles.
Bake in 250 degree oven for 1 1/2 hours or until light golden. Turn off oven; let stand in oven for 1 hour.
In food processor fitted with metal blade or in blender, blend ginger with sugar. Whip cream until soft peaks form; gradually beat in half of the ginger sugar until firm. Break two of the meringues in small pieces; fold into whipped cream. Pack into airtight container and freeze for 4 hours or until set, or for up to 5 days.
Let ice cream soften in refrigerator for about 20 minutes before using.
SATIN CHOCOLATE SAUCE:
Combine chocolate, corn syrup, remaining ginger sugar and milk in a saucepan. Heat over medium heat until melted, while stirring constantly.
Remove from heat and stir in the butter.
Stores well for up to a month in refrigerator.
To assemble, place meringues on individual plates; top with scoops of ice cream and drizzle with chocolate sauce.
Oriental lemon chicken
Serves: 6
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time:20 minutes
1 lb boneless chicken breast (skinless), cut into thin strips2 tablespoons soy sauce
4 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 tablespoon cornstarch diluted in 1 tablespoon water
1 lemon (skin grated) and juiced
2 tablespoons sherry
3/4 cup chicken broth
3 tablespoons celery leaves, chopped
1 teaspoon garlic, minced
1 teaspoon granulated white sugar
salt and pepper to taste
3/4 cup cooking oil
Combine chicken strips and soy sauce. Mix well and marinate for at least 15 minutes.
Heat oil. Meanwhile, dredge the chicken strips in 4 1/2 tablespoons of cornstarch.
Fry the coated chicken pieces until color turns light brown. Do not overcook.
Remove the chicken from the pan, place in a plate, and set aside.
Drain excess oil until about 1 tablespoon is left. Saute garlic and stir in the celery leaves.
Pour in the chicken broth and sherry. Add sugar, salt, grated lemon, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Stir and let boil.
Pour-in the cornstarch mixed in water. Stir until the sauce thickens.
Add the fried chicken slices. Stir and cook for another minute.
Transfer to a serving plate. Serve.
Heat oil. Meanwhile, dredge the chicken strips in 4 1/2 tablespoons of cornstarch.
Fry the coated chicken pieces until color turns light brown. Do not overcook.
Remove the chicken from the pan, place in a plate, and set aside.
Drain excess oil until about 1 tablespoon is left. Saute garlic and stir in the celery leaves.
Pour in the chicken broth and sherry. Add sugar, salt, grated lemon, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Stir and let boil.
Pour-in the cornstarch mixed in water. Stir until the sauce thickens.
Add the fried chicken slices. Stir and cook for another minute.
Transfer to a serving plate. Serve.
Spicy peanut chicken
Serves: 4
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time:20 minutes
4 teaspoons smooth peanut butter 3 teaspoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon brown sugar
2 teaspoons water
2 cloves minced garlic
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon dried chili peppers
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
4 teaspoons butter
1 medium chopped onion
4 chicken breasts
In a saucepan, combine the first 8 ingredients. Mix well. Heat. Add butter and melt. Simmer for 5 minutes.
Let cool at room temperature. Arrange onion and the chicken breasts in a single layer in a shallow glass or baking dish.
Pour on the marinade and let stand, covered, for an hour or more in the refrigerator.
Cook the chicken about 7 to 8 inches from the broiler heat for about 10 minutes on each side, turning several times during the cooking process.
Let cool at room temperature. Arrange onion and the chicken breasts in a single layer in a shallow glass or baking dish.
Pour on the marinade and let stand, covered, for an hour or more in the refrigerator.
Cook the chicken about 7 to 8 inches from the broiler heat for about 10 minutes on each side, turning several times during the cooking process.
Tomato stack salad
Serves: 4
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time:10 minutes
8 Italian Roma tomatoes, cut in half 2/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
3 tablespoons chiffonade of basil
1/2 small red onion, -- julienned
salt and pepper to taste
1 beefsteak tomato, -- cut into 6 slices
1 yellow beefsteak tomato, -- cut into 6 slices
8 slices of fresh mozzarella cheese
4 cups assorted baby greens
4 fried green tomatoes, for top of salad
Black pepper for the rim
edible flowers
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Toss the Roma tomatoes with the olive oil. Place the tomatoes, seed side down, on a baking sheet and roast for about 8-10 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool. Julienne the tomatoes.
In a mixing bowl, whisk the extra-virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, basil and red onion together.
Add the julienned tomatoes. Season the vinaigrette with salt and pepper.
Season each side of the tomato slices with salt and pepper. Season each side of the mozzarella slices with salt and pepper. Toss the greens with 2/3 of the vinaigrette.
Reserve the remaining dressing. Alternate layering the tomatoes, cheese and greens.
Use 3 slices each of the tomatoes and cheese plus 1 cup of the greens for each salad.
Garnish each salad with the fried green tomato, remaining vinaigrette, black pepper on the rim, parsley, and edible flowers.
Toss the Roma tomatoes with the olive oil. Place the tomatoes, seed side down, on a baking sheet and roast for about 8-10 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool. Julienne the tomatoes.
In a mixing bowl, whisk the extra-virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, basil and red onion together.
Add the julienned tomatoes. Season the vinaigrette with salt and pepper.
Season each side of the tomato slices with salt and pepper. Season each side of the mozzarella slices with salt and pepper. Toss the greens with 2/3 of the vinaigrette.
Reserve the remaining dressing. Alternate layering the tomatoes, cheese and greens.
Use 3 slices each of the tomatoes and cheese plus 1 cup of the greens for each salad.
Garnish each salad with the fried green tomato, remaining vinaigrette, black pepper on the rim, parsley, and edible flowers.
