We just came back from a visit to Lebanon and in the process captured a whole bunch of recipes straight from Mama’s kitchen. This Baba Ganoj recipe is our first installment for now. Is it Baba Ganoj or Ghannouj a …
Middle Eastern and Lebanese cuisines are crowned with Mezza or sampler platters served as appetizers. They span an entire spectrum of tastes, from vegan appetizers such as sautéed dandelions to extreme, acquired-taste meaty stuff such as sauté brains and organ meats, to anywhere in between. A typical Lebanese “sofra” dinner table may include 10’s of such platters.
Tangy Sumac and Oregano Baked Fish Recipe Whenever I think of mom’s baked sumac fish my mouth waters! It sure teases the tongue with a barrage of complex flavors from earthy spices like Oregano/Thyme, Sumac, and garlic along with green …
Potatoes Saute in Garlic and Cilantro Recipe People from my mother’s home village in Lebanon, Bakarkasha, are nicknamed “Batata” which is the Arabic word for “Potatoes.” Apparently, they are known for their love for potatoes, and their many different ways …
Hot Garlic Potatoes Recipe If you’re looking for an easy to make appetizer and which would inspire your guests to hail your talent and praise the Lord, look no further than “Hot Garlic Potatoes.” This appetizer has simple ingredients, is …
Sauteed Eggplant Lebanese Moussaka Recipe I always knew that “Moussaka” is an Arabic term that means “cold dish,” hence I got perplexed when I started being introduced to Greek food and saw the claim that Moussaka is Greek. If you …
Cucumber Yogurt Dip Recipe Cucumber Yogurt dip is a smooth, healthy, and very refreshing perfect for the spring and summer. Its main ingredients are yogurt, cucumbers, garlic, mint, and salt. We have this dish as a common appetizer on hot …
Tangy Garlic Potatoes Recipe During childhood, my brothers and I used to join our uncles and our late grandfather Saleem for harvest in the mountains above their village of Bakarkasha in Lebanon. Our grandpa was an old-school farmer. He had …
Homemade Hummus Recipe Hummus is a delicious Middle-Eastern dip made from boiled Chickpeas, lemon juice, and Tahini sauce and which is served as an appetizer with pita bread. Below is a photo of a Hummus plate I had at the …
Vegetarian Sauteed Dandelion Recipe Vegetarians Rejoice! “Slee’ M’alla” is the Lebanese name for Sauteed Dandelion, an extremely easy to make vegetarian dish (that is also economical). The main ingredients are dandelion leafs, onions and lemon juice. Mom never buys dandelion …
Muhammara Recipe Muhammara (pronounced moo-hum-mara) is a popular Syrian Shami dish that is served as a Mezza, ie, appetizer. Its literal meaning is “reddened” which refers to the reddish color of the dip that comes from red peppers. Muhammara Recipe …