Palbox

A slice of home a taste of Palestine

Palbox Is a quarterly gift box that gets delivered straight to your door with artisan products straight from Palestine. By buying this gift box you help support the Palestinian economy and Palestinian non-violent resistance! Organic, fair trade Palestinian edibles, cultural items and Arabic calligraphy jewelry are delivered to your door quarterly. Each box ships on the 1st of every month. Take advantage of coupon code ALMONDFIG10 For 10% off your first box https://www.palbox.org/

Support Artisans

Each box contains a hand curated art of craft item from Palestine.

Palbox is always looking for new ways to bring a slice of Palestine to your door and to support Palestinian artisans.

Buy Palestinian

By supporting Palestinian farmers, you support the Palestinian economy.

Get Hungry

Mouth watering organic, extra virgin, fair trade, Palestinian olive oil and za'atar or maftoul. Palestine is known for some of the finest olive oil in the Middle East, some of it from trees more than a millennium old. Its wild gathered herbs such as zaatar have a mild but savory flavor that is just incredible.

What’s inside this quarters Palbox:

750 ml of Palestinian Olive Oil

Full-flavored, USDA certified organic, cold pressed, extra virgin, and Fair Trade, too. Simply the best that Palestine has to offer. Palestinian families give names to their trees and treat them like family members that are sometimes more than a millennium old.

Two Bars of Pure Olive Oil Soap

100% pure olive oil soap from Palestinian olive trees. No perfumes, no sulfates, no harsh chemicals, nothing to dry out your skin, just the gentile and moisturizing properties of olive oil.

Artisan Necklace:

A beautiful necklace that could also be worn as a bracelet is made of Sterling silver and Palestinian olive wood beads from Bethlehem. A calligraphy pendant that says "faith" in Arabic strings this beautiful jewelry piece all together.

A bag of hand rolled Palestinian Maftoul or Zaatar made by women cooperatives in Palestine.

Palestinian Swiss Chard and Lentil Soup with Lemons and Pomegranates

Hearty soups or simple stews like this soup of Swiss chard and lentils are a staple in most Palestinians and Arab homes in the winter months. Nothing like coming in from the cold to a big pot of simmering heartwarming soup. This soup is so hearty and loaded with goodness it’s often served as a whole meal with a big hunk of pita bread and the palestinian essentials of green onions, olives and radishes. Even my meat loving dad would have a few bowls of this soup and mop his plate with a pita wedge.

This soup is a nutritional powerhouse it provides loads of vitamins A, C, E and K, from the Swiss chard. And the fiber, folic acid, and potassium in lentils all support heart health. This is my kind of good food that nourishes the soul.

Lentil soup with Swiss chard and lemons

Serves 6-8

Ingredients:

2 cups medium brown lentils picked over, washed and drained

2 large golden potatoes diced

1 bunch green Swiss chard (about a pound) washed well, stems removed and set aside.

12 cups of water or chicken stock (more if soup gets too thick)

3 garlic cloves smashed

1 large onion diced

2 bay leaves

Salt and pepper

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice or juice of one large lemon plus more wedges to serve on the side

3 tbls olive oil plus more to drizzle on the top

1 tsp cumin

1 tsp coriander

1 tbls of pomegranate molasses

A pinch of Red pepper flakes (optional)

1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves washed and chopped

Garnishes: Pomegranate seeds, cilantro leaves, crispy onions

Directions:

Heat olive oil in a heavy pot, add the onions and garlic and sauté until translucent about 5 minutes.

Add the rinsed lentils, add the spices and toss to combine about 2 minutes.

Add the water and bay leaves. Let it come to a boil, and then add the potatoes and the diced Swiss chard stalks only.

Let the soup simmer until the lentils and potatoes are cooked through (but not mushy). Add the Swiss chard, one handful at a time until it’s all incorporated. Add the pomegranate molasses. Let it simmer for 10 more minutes. Turn off the heat then add the cilantro and fresh lemon juice.

Enjoy with extra squeeze of lemon and a nice drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro.

#lentils #legumes #soup #wintersoup #swisschard #heartysoup #hearthealthyfood

Rose and Tahini Dark Chocolate Truffles

Nothing screams Valentine’s Day like roses and chocolate

- the inspiration for my valentine’s recipe. When you receive something homemade, you know that it is genuine and coming straight from the heart. You are getting something that is made with love from a person who took the time and effort to make you something special. Homemade gifts are not just any gifts. They are something that might have taken hours. Homemade truffles are always a big hit. Each one of them is rolled by hand so that you know each one is unique and special. Who wouldn't want a creamy melt in your mouth bite of chocolate goodness with the essence of rose!!! The tahini adds subtle earthy undertones, making these a perfect gift. Wishing you all the love and happiness today and always <3

INGREDIENTS

MAKES:15- 20 small truffles

• 8 ounces 50-70% good quality dark chocolate chopped (not chocolate chips)

• 1/2 cup heavy cream

• 1-2 tsp rose water ** see note

• 3 tbls tahini paste

• For coating: good quality unsweetened cocoa powder, coco nibs, and edible rose petals

Directions:

• With a sharp knife finely chop the chocolate on an angle creating even and fine shards so they melt easier. Place the chocolate in a medium heat safe bowl.

• Heat the cream in the microwave in 30 seconds intervals up to 1 minute. Until it’s hot but not boiling .

• Pour the hot cream over the chocolate and set aside for few minutes to melt a bit.

• Whisk the mixture until smooth and shiny.

• Add rose water and mix adding 1 tsp at a time (rose water is strong)

• Add 3 tbls of tahini and stir to combine

• Refrigerate the ganache for at least 30 minutes or until it sets and firms up

• Use a small cookie scoop or a tbls measure to portion the truffles. Roll the balls between the palm of your hands **(see note) until smooth and place on a parchment paper. Refrigerate for a few minutes to set.

• To coat your truffles: you can use chopped nuts, sprinkles or dry freeze fruits but for this recipe I am using coco nibs, good quality coco powder, and edible roses.

• For best results, sift your coco powder and use a small shallow bowl to dip and roll the truffles in the coating shaking them gently from side to side until coated.

**Recipe tips:

1. Dust the palm of your hands with coco powder it will help roll a perfect truffle ball and the chocolate doesn’t stick to your hands.

2. Start by one tsp of rose water, depending on the brand you are using rose water can be very strong. Mix the rosewater in with the melted chocolate if you want more rose flavor add more, half a tsp at a time up to 2 tsp.

#chocolate #dessert #truffles #eddiblegifts #roses #rosewater #tahini #tahiniandchocolate #vaelntinesday