One of my favorite things to do when I hit up Beirut Souks is to sneak into Ladurée for some of their heavenly Macarons. My absolute favorite flavors are the Griotte Amande and the Caramel à la fleur de sel. Yes they may be priced at LL3000 a piece, but I assure you it may be the best $2 you may ever spend. I’m heading there for my lunch break today, I see no better way to welcome the weekend. Bisoux
Posted in IVY Lebanon-Eats, Mon Obsession du Jour
Tagged food, food critic, lebanon, love
So the weather in Lebanon is having an identity crisis, each time we pull out our bikinis it decides to go grey and rain. Everyone knows you can never really escape a scorching hot summer here, so before we welcome the heat it was time to finally bid Faraya Farewell for the season with a memorable barbeque.Bisoux
Sundays are lovely. They present the perfect occasion for a big bad brunch. So yesterday, I took the liberty of whipping up two of my all-time favorite perfect-for-brunch dishes: a Spanish Omelette and a favorite family recipe we call Feta Mix.
The Spanish Omlette includes fresh mushrooms, diced ripe tomatoes, green pepper and lots and lots of paprika. Here’s a secret- add some milk to the raw eggs while whipping them to get the best results. Some people like their Omlette in one cake-like piece- I like to fluff mine up while in the pan.
To make the Feta mix, chop up some white onions, ripe tomatoes, green peppers, juicy black olives and cucumbers. Slice some feta cheese or any white cheese you prefer and toss them in with some extra virgin olive oil. Add some sea salt and black pepper et Voila!
I haven’t come around to tasting all the recommended burgers, partly because I don’t review food as a profession ( although I wish I did) and partly because although I LOVE me some burgers, for me, burgers come with a certain mood, usually when I’m famished after a long night of partying.
I picked up a couple of freshly ground meat patties while doing some grocery shopping the other day and decided to put my money where my mouth is. So this may not be the best burger in town, but it’s as close as it gets to the real thing. Here are some five great tips for making a nice classic burger at home.
Step #1 The Right Bun
It’s gotta be fresh, none of that pre-packed nonsense, rather puffy single buns you can buy from a bakery. Whip-up some low-fat easy spread butter and give’em a nice crispy toastiness in the oven.
Step #2 High Heat
We all yearn for a juicy burger. That means no overcooking but not too much pinkness either- this isn’t a filet after all. So you have to cook your patties on high heat to ensure most of the juices stay inside. I like to pan-fry mine in some healthy 100% virgin olive oil.
Step # 3 Keep It Fresh
I can’t stand the sogginess of a veggie that’s been in the fridge for a week. So if you wanna make this process worthwhile you have to add only the freshest of ingredients. My favorites are iceberg lettuce, tomatoes and red onions.
Step #4 Real Cheddar Cheese and Caramelized Onions
If you’re gonna waste all your efforts by throwing in a slice of processed cheese then I suggest you just go to McDonald’s (mmm) We have great cheeses in our grocery stores so make sure you get some of that real cheddar cheese. Minutes before you think your burger is done cooking stack some slices over the patty while its in the pan. Now grab a handful of red onions, spray in some drops of sesame oil and caramelize away.
Step#5 Stack-It Like Its Hot
Don’t underestimate the importance of placing your toppings in a strategic way,any false move and everything couldl fall apart in an instant. Also, you gotta prioritize when it comes to taste. I suggest you work with both buns separately first and then make the heavenly merge. I like mayo on my lower bun, and mustard on the upper one. The ketchup will fall right on the cheddar and patty.
Step#6 Enjoy
And there you have it- The Best Burger In Beirut 
Bisoux
Posted in IVY Lebanon-Eats, Weekly Whip-Ups
Tagged burgers, cooking, food, food critic
So your New Year resolutions are a distant dream by now. You were supposed to quit smoking (even socially), become a regular at the gym ( a 15 min sprint on the treadmill doesn’t count )and most importantly eat healthy ( even during work hours)
It’s March and you’re still hung-over from the weekend. Your mind kept telling you to get that salad for lunch but every cell in your stomach was screaming for grease, so you ordered Fern Tony’s Deluxe Burger . Your co-workers watched you gobble that beast down as they fiddled with their rice and spinach. But you’re back at your desk now, about to participate in some serious self-loathing wondering how you got here. Knowing that within mere months, the hot and sexy gym busy-bees of this country will be ready to flaunt their combos of six packs, pectorals, biceps and what not while you’ll be struggling to stop yourself from ordering a bottle of extra-chilled rose by the beach.
Snap out of it; get a hold of yourself and enough with the procrastination. I’ve come up with a couple of pointers to keep you satisfied but slick this season.
1) Eat breakfast and get full, it’s the oldest trick in the book but it actually works wonders. And no, that doesn’t mean indulging in some fried eggs and bacon, but a healthy whole wheat pita bread with some labneh, cucumber and olives , or turkey and cheese with some lettuce. Wash it down with a sweet fruit-but bar or perhaps a handful or almonds and raisins.
Posted in fitness, IVY Lebanon-Eats, Sly Yet Genius Dating Tips
Tagged fitness, food, social dynamics
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