Lebanese Taste Treats
Most people think of a "Mediterranean Diet" as foods from Greece, Southern Italy and Spain, but have you looked at a map of the Mediterranean Sea? What about all the other countries? France? Slovenia/Croatia/Bosnia&Herzegovina/Montenegro/Albania? Turkey? Syria? Lebanon? Palestine/Israel? Egypt/Libya/Tunisia/Algeria? Morocco? See? Lots of other cuisines to pick from for a "Mediterranean Diet"!
The process of exploring a country, it's history, people, and food gives me joy. I have learned so much and creating the dishes of each cuisine just adds to that pleasure.
I am currently delving into Lebanon.
We made this Mediterranean meal last weekend and we have been enjoying the rewards thrice! And while I was prepping for the meal, I listened to "The Jewel of Lebanon", Fairuz. An incredible and controversial woman with a very long career, and a lovely singer.
Grilled Chicken
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 2" dice
1-1½ T good olive oil
2-3 T fresh squeezed lemon juice
2 T dried oregano and marjoram
1 tsp sumac
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp minced garlic
½ tsp salt
Mix the seasonings in a flat dish or plastic bag, add diced chicken coat with seasonings and marinate for 30 minutes to 1 hour. Place on skewers (I use metal ones) and grill or bake and broil in the oven for 5-10 minutes each side.
Lebanese Rice
1 C basmati rice, rinsed well
1 tsp Lebanese Thyme Za'atar
1 tsp lemon zest
1 tsp neutral oil
hot water or chicken stock
1/4-1/2 tsp salt
1/4-1 tsp cracked seeds and/or nuts like pistachios, almonds, cumin, cardamon, fennel or even some golden raisins or currants (optional)
Make as you usually make rice.
Tzatziki
1 Persian cucumber, peeled, seeded and drained, then small diced
1 cloves garlic, minced
1 C plain Greek yogurt (I use drained goats milk yogurt)
1 T EVOO
1 tsp fresh lemon juice
some lemon zest (optional)
1 tsp red wine vinegar
dill & freshly ground black pepper
a sprinkle of Za'atar (optional)
Mix everything but the cucumbers and let sit for 15-30 minutes. Adjust flavors and add cucumbers and mix. Refrigerate until needed.
Persian Cucumber Salad
3 Persian cucumbers, halved longways, seeded & drained, then sliced in half moons
1/8-1/4 C thinly sliced red onion
3/4 tsp dried dill
3/4 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp olive oil
1/4 tsp sesame oil
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp or so toasted sesame seeds
1 tsp sliced mint
Mix cucumbers, onion,dill, lemon juice, olive & sesame oil and salt. Let sit for 15-20 minutes or so. Adjust seasonings and add sesame seeds & mint. Refrigerate until needed.
Add mixed warm roasted nuts & seeds Lebanese style, olives, hummus, sliced radishes & cherry tomatoes, and pita wedges. Have dates, dried figs and apricots, mint, labneh & honey with lavish or toasted thinly sliced whole grain bread for dessert.
An astonishing thank you gift came in the mail from Lovely Hubby's daughter and her girlfriend, who is Lebanese, came for a really wonderful visit in April. I could not believe everything they sent us!
Za'atar - Red Thyme - Aleppo mix
Za'atar - Green Jordanian - A little on the sour side, greener than Lebanese
Za'atar - Lebanese Thyme - Very flavorful, sour and toasted
Lebanese 7 Spices (allspice, cinnamon, cloves, cumin, coriander, caraway, nutmeg)
Tahina (Tahini)
Lebanon Halva
Rose Water
Orange Blossom Water (both can be used as facial toner, in the bath or added to the laundry)
Lebanese Coffee & Coffee Set (there's an art and hospitality in preparing this)
Lebanese Red Wine
Pitted Dates (Tunisian Deglet Noor)
Enormous Box of Ba'lewa (Baklava) in several different shapes and sizes (Sorry, it didn't last long)
Plus cakes of pure and aged olive and laurel oil soap from Lebanon and Syria
So, I have all this lovely foodstuff and do not know (yet) how to best use all of it. (Especially the Za'atar, rose water and orange blossom water in recipes.) Any ideas?
What's for dinner at your abode? Could it be a meze?
