Kefta Z's Way

Kefta is one of my fav middle eastern dishes, and so much simpler than you think! It is actually the arabic version of the traditional "meatball" and actually easier to make! I have fond memories of this dish, which my ta ta has passed down to my family for years.

 

 1 pound ground beef

1 pound ground lamb

1 cup chopped parsley

1 cup chopped onion

1 tablespoon allspice

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 tablespoon salt and pepper

4 tomatoes sliced

3 potatoes sliced

1 small can of tomato sauce

Mix the meat with spices. Line of on 9x13 greased tray of olive oil. top the tomatoes and onion sliced. Bake at 450 for 45 minutes-1 hour. Sahtein!

Pumpkin Lasagna

This lasagna is inspired from my recent trip to Rome, Italy. I had the best pumpkin lasagna the first night there, and had to re-create this somehow. It's not gonna be as good as in Italy, but pretty darn close and DELISH!

Ingredients
    * 1/2 pound sliced fresh mushrooms
    * 1 onion, chopped
    * 1 teaspoon salt, divided
    * 2 teaspoons olive oil
    * 2 cans (15 ounces) solid-pack pumpkin
    * 1 cup half-and-half cream
    * 1 tablespoon dried sage leaves
    * 1 teaspoon black pepper
    * 9 no-cook lasagna noodles
    * 1.5 cup ricotta cheese
    * 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
    * 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Directions
    * In a small skillet, saute the mushrooms, onion and 1/2 teaspoon
salt in oil until tender; set aside. In a small bowl, combine the
pumpkin, cream, sage, pepper and remaining salt.
    * Spread 1/2 cup pumpkin sauce in an 11-in. x 7-in. baking dish
coated with cooking spray. Top with three noodles. Spread 1/2 cup pumpkin sauce to edges of noodles. Top with half of mushroom mixture, 1/2 cup ricotta, 1/2 cup mozzarella
and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. Repeat layers. Top with remaining noodles
and sauce.
    * Cover and bake at 375° for 45 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle with
remaining Parmesan cheese. Bake 10-15 minutes longer or until bubbly!

Z is back!!!

So...It's been a year? 2 years? I know I've been slacking. I have been working hard in the kitchen, and soon launching Zaynabakes.com! I will be better at posting recipes and excited to share some new ones:)