Foolproof Living

The Meatball Recipes I Make on Repeat Meatballs, köfte, as we call them in Turkish, were the very first thing I learned to cook from my mom. And Turkish meatballs will always have a special place in my heart. Not just because they’re easy to make, but because they’re everything I love about Mediterranean cooking. 📌 Pin it For Later Get The Recipe Compared to American meatballs, these are a little fresher, a little spicier with cumin and parsley, and they go with just about any side you’ve...

Mediterranean comfort food, made easy When I was a kid, most of my friends weren’t even allowed to hold a knife. But my mom? She handed me one and taught me how to use it safely. She was a phenomenal cook, and one of the very first recipes she passed down to me was her classic Turkish-style kofte. Today, I’m sharing my chicken version, which I make all the time. Chicken Kofta 📌 pin it for later Get The Recipe These Chicken Koftas are juicy, flavorful, and ready in about 40 minutes. You can...

🌽 Your Labor Day Weekend Needs Street Corn If there’s such a thing as a past life, I’m pretty sure I was a Mexican at some point in time. I mean, how else do you explain my deep, undying love for all things elote? Yes, I may be Mediterranean at heart, but give me fresh corn, chili-lime seasoning, and a sprinkle of Cotija, and I’m suddenly planning a fiesta in my backyard. 🎉 Over the years, I’ve created just about every version of Mexican street corn you can think of—on the cob, off the cob,...

Let’s soak up the last of tomato season I know as soon as Labor Day passes, most people start reaching for cozy fall recipes. And while I’m all in for crisp mornings and the smell of apple cinnamon, I’m not quite ready to let go of summer just yet. Tomato season is still going strong, and I plan to enjoy every last bite. So, today I’m sharing three of my favorite tomato recipes I grew up eating. They’re Turkish by tradition, but you’ll find similar versions all across the Mediterranean. And...

My Labor Day Menu + 50 Easy Recipe Ideas Labor Day always feels like a little pause, a chance to slow down, gather with friends, and soak up everything we love about summer. We’re planning a backyard get-together, and I’ve got my menu all set. If you’re hosting too (or just need a few fresh ideas), below is what I’ll be serving. Plus, in case you need more inspiration, I've got over 50 Labor Day recipes you can choose from. Starters & Apps Ina Garten's Cold Cucumber Soup: Blended cucumber,...

Make This Salmon Dinner Before the Wild Salmon Season is Over The wild salmon season is coming to an end, and it feels like the perfect time to celebrate two of my favorite things: salmon and harissa. My love for harissa started after my first taste of CAVA's Harissa Honey Chicken. If you haven't tried it, you're missing out. That's why I wanted to create a recipe that combines that smoky, complex flavor with my go-to fish, salmon. Say hello to my newest salmon dinner: Harissa Salmon. 📌 Pin...

Flank Steak + Summer Produce = Dinner Perfection At the start of this summer, I realized something was missing from my recipe archives. A proper steak salad. Not just any salad, but one that could stand on its own as a satisfying dinner on a hot night. Something fresh, affordable, and full of flavor. Flank steak immediately came to mind. It’s much more budget-friendly than cuts like ribeye or New York strip, and when treated right, it delivers bold, rich flavor without the price tag. 📌 Pin it...

Crispy Eggplant, Zero Mess When you think of eggplant, I’m willing to bet eggplant parmesan pops into your head first. And honestly, who can blame you? Crispy slices, melty cheese, rich tomato sauce… It’s true summer comfort food. Now, here’s my little confession: I don’t fry anything in my kitchen. Not because I don’t love it (because oh, I do), but because I’d rather skip the mess and extra oil. So I’ve been baking my eggplant parm for years. And it’s delicious. But then I discovered an...

🍅 The Jewel of the Farmers Market: Tomatoes It’s the sweetest time of summer. Tomato season is here in all its glory. The farmers' markets are overflowing with plump, sun-warmed beauties in every shade of red, gold, and green. This is the moment to slice them, roast them, toss them into salads, and let their flavor shine. I’ve rounded up my favorite tomato recipes so you can enjoy every last bite of this short, magical season. Tomato Season Favorites Piyaz - Turkish White Bean Salad This...

Cool Off with This CAVA Copycat Recipe Do you remember the DIY Cava Bowl Recipe I shared last year? It quickly became one of the most popular recipes on the blog and on my YouTube channel, thanks to the how-to video I shared. 📌 Pin It For Later Get the Recipe And, that is my friends, for good reason, because it's fresh, filling, and packed with all the bright Mediterranean flavors we love. Also, let's face it, it's also more budget-friendly than takeout and perfect for meal prep. Wait, You...