Welcome to A Cedar Spoon!
A Cedar Spoon is your go-to destination for delicious, wholesome recipes inspired by Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine, along with family-friendly meals that bring people together around the table.
I’m Julia Jolliff, a recipe developer and food photographer with over 12 years of experience crafting and sharing over 1,100 mouthwatering recipes. Every year, more than 3.5 million home cooks from around the world turn to A Cedar Spoon for easy-to-make, flavorful dishes.
Here you will find recipes packed with fresh ingredients, bold spices, and nourishing flavors that make home cooking both simple and satisfying. Whether you’re looking for heart-healthy meals, protein-packed breakfasts, vibrant salads, or quick one-pan dinners, I’ve got you covered!
A Cedar Spoon focuses on Mediterranean, Lebanese, Greek, and international flavors, making it easy to incorporate fresh herbs, olive oil, vegetables, legumes, and lean proteins into your meals. My goal is to help you discover the joy of cooking with accessible ingredients—whether you’re a seasoned home cook or just starting out.
Food is meant to be shared, and I hope my recipes inspire you to create meals that bring joy to your kitchen and home. Let’s cook together!
About Julia
Hi! I’m Julia, the cook and photographer behind A Cedar Spoon. I live near Cleveland, Ohio, with my husband Mike and our three boys, Will, Drew, and Jack.
As a busy mom, I know how important it is to prepare nutritious, easy meals that the whole family will love. That’s why I focus on simple, wholesome, and kid-approved recipes that fuel your family while introducing them to flavors from around the world—including my Lebanese and German heritage.
A Cedar Spoon Story
My love for cooking started in childhood. Growing up, my family’s meals were a blend of Lebanese and German foods—two very different but equally rich cuisines. My Lebanese heritage, in particular, played a huge role in shaping my passion for food.
I developed a love for hummus long before it became a household staple in America
My Grandma Sawaya (picture below) made the best hummus ever. She passed away at the age of 91 and we miss her dearly. She inspired my love for Lebanese cooking and her legacy lives on in the dishes I share with my family and readers.
In our home, food has always been at the heart of family gatherings. It’s more than just nourishment—it’s a way to connect, celebrate, and share traditions. My mom, a nutritionist and an incredible cook, taught me the importance of cooking from scratch and paying attention to ingredients. I owe much of what I know in the kitchen to both my mom and grandma.
Nothing beats a bowl of my Mom’s hummus or a spoonful of my Grandma’s tabbouleh. Cooking follows me into every stage of my life.
Where to Start?
Not sure where to begin? Check out some of my most popular recipes:
Mediterranean Recipes – Explore my collection of flavorful Mediterranean dishes here.
Soups – Try my top-rated Moroccan Carrot Red Lentil Soup.
Pasta & Seafood – Readers love this Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta.
Salads – My favorites include Summer Orzo Pasta Salad, Mediterranean Bean Salad, and Easy Lebanese Salad.
Air Fryer Recipes – Give my Air Fryer Cod or Air Fryer Mediterranean Chicken Thighs a try!
Instant Pot Favorites – Popular picks include Instant Pot Turkey Chili and Instant Pot Turkey Taco Pasta.
Julia’s Favorite Recipes
Salads
Summer Orzo Pasta Salad
Mediterranean
Moroccan Chicken Thighs
Chicken
Greek Lemon Chicken
Vegetarian
Fattoush Salad
Let’s Connect!
We’d love to hear from you! If you have any comments, questions about recipes, or Mediterranean Diet related questions, please email me at julia@acedarspoon.com. You can also find us on Instagram, Youtube, Pinterest, and Facebook!
Hi Julia! I’ve been reading your blog for months now and I just read your “About Page” and saw you live near Cleveland! I’m a Cleveland resident myself!! Thank you for creating such realistic, healthy, and tasty recipes!
It is great to meet you and thank you for being here! Yes I have lived near Cleveland for about 8 years now {was from Chicago} but my family is originally from this area. I hope you find some recipes you like and can try!
<3
Hi Julia,
I too am of Lebanese decent. Both parents are 100% and my dad was first generation in the US. Being born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, and with 6 other aunts and uncles and their spouses and many many first cousins, we too gathered over food. Our food is healthy filled with natural ingredients and full flavor.
I carry on the tradition as well and so do my children and hopefully my grandchildren will do the same as well.
Making your Greek Lemon Chicken next week. Lemon, garlic, parsley and other herbs are our staple….all fresh of course.
I’m happy to have found you and look forward to trying other dishes I have never made.
All my best,
Marie Schneider (yes, I married a German….lol )
I am so glad you found my page! I always love meeting others that are Lebanese. I am so glad that you enjoyed the Lemon Chicken. I hope you find other recipes to try and also enjoy some of my Lebanese recipes too! 🙂
Ohho Julia,
Your family is wonderful. Your three sons look exactly like their father. And after visiting your website, I realized that your recipes are amazing. If I lived in the near of Ohio I would definitely meet you and test your recipe.
Thanks for the kind words! I am glad you find some recipes you enjoy!
@Julia, It’s my pleasure.
I have looked and looked for fatoyah recipes I am going to try your meat pie recipe. Ism half Lebonese from my mom’s side and half Jewish from my dads side
Both have been deceased for 20 years plus and left no recipes for all the food we ate as children. Anxious to make these. Thank you for your blog. I just stumbled on it today and immediately went out and bought the ingredients.
Aww. It sounds like you have wonderful memories. I hope these meat pies are similar to what you ate as a child. Thanks for sharing.
hello just a nite to say my husband LOVES your Mexican pepper dish hank yo so very much
Hi Julia, I was making Laban this afternoon and could not remember if it was three or four tablespoons of starter per quart so I googled it and saw a picture of my cousin, your Mom. I’m so happy I found your site.
Oh that is so fun! 🙂 My Mom made yogurt so much when were little. I am glad you stumbled on my site. I will tell her you said hi!!
Your Mediterranean bean salad is divine! My college roommate is Lebanese and her mother’s cooking was out of this world! Glad I found your blog… need to try more recipes! You also make some really cute kids!!!!
Aww thanks for the sweet words! That is so nice that your roommate is Lebanese–the food really is the best. I hope you find some recipes you like.
H Julia, your Moroccan red lentil soup is dynamite. I made it pretty much as you specify in the recipe – did not add a single ingredient that was not in your ingredients. Keep posting recipes like that!
I am so glad you liked it! We make that recipe often and we always enjoy it.
Hi Julia , hope all is well with you…
I was visiting your Pinterest and thought I would ask you if I could join your group board “summer eats”. I appreciate if you could take a look at my work and let me know if I can contribute to your board.
Nice work!
Thanks,
Silvia Ribas
https://www.pinterest.com/RibaswithLove/