Lebanese Tostada
April 13, 2010 • Category: Sandwiches
I live in Texas, my kids are Texans and I love Tex-Mex food, OK?
However, I am also Lebanese and I want to enjoy one of the best mezzedishes in Lebanese cuisine, hummus with minced lamb and pine nuts. If the table has fifty mezze dishes, this is the first one everybody will go for! Meat is sizzling and shiny with lamb grease, the pine nuts are golden and the hummus is smooth and velvety. All the other mezze dishes can wait!
You don’t like lamb. Not a problem, use beef then!
In a tostada form, thismezze dish becomes a meal in itself, instead of one of fiftydishes or so.
I used beef sirloin, but my first choice would have been lamb.
Marinate the meat a bit, get it tender and you hit a home run.
INGREDIENTS: 4 to 6 servings
- 1 pound of top sirloin steak or your steak of choice, lamb or beef- You can also use ground lamb or beef
- yogurt for the marinade (1/2 cup)-if using ground meat, skip this step!
- lemon juice (1/4 cup), olive oil (1/3 cup) and spices for the marinade: pepper, paprika, cumin, allspice, cinnamon, thyme or anything you feel like using
- half a basket of organic cherry tomatoes (the other ones have no flavor, they are just acidic)
- half a bunch of green onions, chopped fine
- a few sprigs of parsley or any other herb of your choice
- a tub of hummus, doctored up with extra lemon juice, garlic and tahini if needed
- 3 pita breads, split and toasted
METHOD:
- Marinate the meat in a mixture of yogurt, lemon juice and olive oil; add the spices of your choice. Let it sit for as long as you like, up to 2 days. If using ground lamb or beef, no need to worry about this step.
- Toast the pita in a 300f oven till crisp and golden.
- Doctor up the hummus with a dash of garlic, lemon juice and tahini the day you plan to eat it.
- When ready, slice the meat in thin slices and pat dry; fry in a bit of olive oil for a couple of minutes on each side.
- Plop a generous quantity of hummus on each pita bread; Place a few slices of meat in the middle; add a few cherry tomatoes, green onions and a sprinkle of parsley. Serve immediately.
Comments
73 Comments • Comments Feed
Mariana says:
That is interesting that from all the mezze array this is the first to be ‘tackled’. I do a similar thing with bruschettas. I have ones with pesto and cheese, capsicum, proscuitto, sundried tomatoes, caponata, but the first ones to always go are the lamb, marinated eggplant topped with tzatziki. Not quite the same as yours but the drift is similar. Your recipe really is mouthwatering. Infact after perusing your blog just now, I am starving!!
On April 13, 2010 at 7:15 pm
Dinners & Dreams says:
Hummus with lamb sounds fantastic. I love the bracelet cakes from the
previous recipe 🙂
Nisrine
On April 13, 2010 at 7:29 pm
Fig and Cherry says:
I love the way you use Lebanese recipes and cooking techniques and adapt them to the American palette! I’m calling it Leb-Tex, OK? 🙂
On April 13, 2010 at 8:09 pm
Stella says:
Hey Joumana, I love the way your food is a mix between Tex Mex and Lebanese sometimes. Cauldron Boy is from Texas and he says there is nothing like real Tex Mex. Lebanese is also one of his favorite cuisines (especially schwarma and so many of the salads). I might have to copy this recipe for him…
Hope you are doing well! Leila saida…Stella
On April 13, 2010 at 8:19 pm
Sarah Galvin (All Our Fingers in the Pie) says:
This looks so good. I love mezze. I have been looking for dried chick peas to no avail in my little city. I’m just new here so still learning about it. This is such a good, quick dinner.
On April 13, 2010 at 8:47 pm
rebecca says:
oh wow I am so hungry looking at this made a lamb curry this week, love lamb
On April 13, 2010 at 9:08 pm
Bria @ WestofPersia says:
Look so delicious! I can relate to the Tex Mex thing, having grown up in Texas. Nice work!
On April 13, 2010 at 9:27 pm
[ec_vancouver] || js says:
Oooh, Lebanese tostada sounds brilliant! I love the flavour combinations.
On April 13, 2010 at 9:40 pm
Mimi says:
Great Lebanese twist on a Mexican staple. You have a fantastic way of marrying the two cultures.
Mimi
On April 13, 2010 at 9:43 pm
Arlette says:
I am coming for Dinner, this is my favourite
On April 13, 2010 at 10:10 pm
Olive says:
looks delicious, it sounds simple and easy to make, my family will love this.. Thanks ! 🙂
@ Stella, I love shawarma too 🙂
On April 13, 2010 at 11:52 pm
fériel says:
Hello, I am happy to discover this wonderful blog, I love Lebanese cuisine and your blog is a real treat for the eyes.
Hope to read you
On April 14, 2010 at 12:00 am
Not Quite Nigella says:
hehe your neighbours must be beating down your door to come over! 😀
On April 14, 2010 at 12:20 am
Meeta says:
hummus and lamb are my fave combination! i love this especially as it’s a quick weeknight dinner fix!
On April 14, 2010 at 12:30 am
Priya says:
I learn so many delicious dishes through ur spacen this tostada looks fabulous..thanks for sharing..
On April 14, 2010 at 12:54 am
Sushma Mallya says:
Lovely pic, looks fantastic..
On April 14, 2010 at 1:53 am
Rosa says:
Oh, that is a dish which would have a lot of success at my place! My boyfriend and I we love such scrumptious specialities!
Cheers,
Rosa
On April 14, 2010 at 1:57 am
Cherine says:
I love this recipe! I’m drooling in front of your photo!!
On April 14, 2010 at 3:05 am
grace says:
i won’t lie–i love mexican tostadas. and even though i love mexican tostadas, i’d definitely bypass them for a couple of your lebanese-style creations. hello, hummus! what a great dish, and what a wonderful blog you’ve made–i’m enjoying it very much!
On April 14, 2010 at 3:39 am
peter says:
I WANT LAMB! I want mezedes! I want to sample all the array of dishes. I want to be served a bread bracelet!
Some fusion of influences are great (like this one) but it’s a fine line. Some get it – many don’t.
On April 14, 2010 at 3:49 am
Rita says:
Thank you for your visit; love Lebanese food and this might be where I wll learn hot to prepare it properly. Great presentation and photos.
Rita
On April 14, 2010 at 3:59 am
Lydia says:
Brilliant! Can’t wait to try this. I have a boneless leg of lamb I was planning to grill this weekend, so I’m all set.
On April 14, 2010 at 5:26 am
Susan says:
Thank you so much for commenting on my blog. I am so glad you did, because now I have found this fantastic blog that you write. I will be back often. Your blog looks beautiful. Susan
On April 14, 2010 at 5:46 am
Nadege says:
That looks fantastic and should be easy to make. Thank you!
On April 14, 2010 at 7:03 am
5 Star Foodie says:
The lamb sounds so flavorful and delicious! I love this fusion dish!
On April 14, 2010 at 8:23 am
deeba says:
What a great take on tostada. Beautiful flavours as well. Love the look of your blog. So refreshing!
On April 14, 2010 at 8:52 am
Cara says:
My husband would be thrilled if I made these for dinner. I would love them too 🙂
On April 14, 2010 at 9:24 am
Sylva says:
What a wonderful blog you’ve got! For 2 days I’ve been reading all the new and the old posts. This tostada looks wonderful. I’ll make it today. Thank you.
On April 14, 2010 at 10:31 am
Angie's Recipes says:
That looks beyond DELICIOUS! And the whole presentation is simply elegant and irresistible.
On April 14, 2010 at 10:32 am
fimère says:
moi aussi c’est l’agneau que je préfère, la viande est plus tendre et aussi à mon goût plus savoureuse
j’aime beaucoup cette préparation riche et savoureuse
bonne journée
On April 14, 2010 at 10:57 am
Christine @ Fresh says:
I love this Lebanese twist on Tex Mex! It looks refreshing and delicious!
On April 14, 2010 at 12:35 pm
Nadjibella says:
C’est toujours un plaisir de te rendre visite : il y a le plaisir de l’œil et une promesse garantie pour la palais.
Tes adaptations de la cuisine libanaises sont très intéressante.
A bientôt.
On April 14, 2010 at 12:47 pm
Will Donovan says:
this is so very very very very awesome
On April 14, 2010 at 12:52 pm
Doria says:
Très jolie recette que je découvre !
J’aime beaucoup venir te voir pour tes plats qui changent complètement des miens et j’adore ça !
Je te souhaite une très belle soirée de ce mercredi,
Bisous, Doria
On April 14, 2010 at 1:53 pm
MaryMoh says:
Wow..I love the beautiful presentation. Makes me want to eat 2 plates!
On April 14, 2010 at 2:19 pm
Wizzythestick says:
Oh fabulous flavours and what a lovely idea for dinner. My family would love these
On April 14, 2010 at 2:38 pm
Joanne says:
I swear, I should have been born Middle Eastern. This is basically ALL that I crave! These look amazing.
On April 14, 2010 at 2:57 pm
Sook says:
I have never had this before but looks so wonderful!!
On April 14, 2010 at 3:40 pm
Barbara says:
Yowee! This is a great combination of a tostada and a great mezze dish. I want lamb, thank you, and hummus and pine nuts! Super job, Joumana!
On April 14, 2010 at 5:56 pm
Juliana says:
Love your version of tostada…sure it looks so tasty…lovely dish Jourmana!
On April 14, 2010 at 7:00 pm
Hannah says:
What about ground kangaroo? Lebanese-Aussie hummus heaven is what I think 😀
On April 14, 2010 at 7:02 pm
Nancy says:
Okay, you had me at lamb grease! I am a lamb fanatic, and combining it with hummus and pine nuts sounds amazing. Next party I will be making this!
On April 14, 2010 at 8:31 pm
Ivy says:
Oh love this twist of yours. It’s making me drool and it’s only 8 a.m.
On April 14, 2010 at 11:01 pm
sweetlife says:
great tostadas..surely upped the tex mex version instantly..yum
sweetlife
On April 14, 2010 at 11:10 pm
Devaki says:
Dear Joumana – You had me at sizzling lamb with tasted pine nuts!!! How utterly mouthwatering & delicious.
Too bad we are not neighbors….you’d have to chase me out with a broomstick 😉
Ciao, Devaki @ weavethousandflavors
On April 15, 2010 at 12:05 am
joudie kalla says:
One word…. YUMM!!!!
On April 15, 2010 at 2:21 am
Sophie says:
I so love the Lebanse twist on food & things like this!
fab food, Joumana!
On April 15, 2010 at 3:12 am
Mimi Cooks says:
great recipe…I could eat your photos…so clear and beautiful! thanks for sharing.
On April 15, 2010 at 3:30 am
Jamie says:
Another fabulous meal! I love serving slices of marinated cooked lamb, tomatoes, hummus and tortillas (that’s all I can get) for a picnic dinner in front of a rugby match or film. This is now making me hungry and I have to make this soon. Lovely!
On April 15, 2010 at 5:20 am
T.W. Barritt says:
The thought of every one of these flavors is making me very hungry right now! Based on the photo, I can see why people go for this first!
On April 15, 2010 at 6:03 am
Fouad @ The Food Blog says:
Wow Joumana. I have to queue up to comment on your blog now hehehehe.
It’s worth it though. Awesome idea. The beef looks great. It really does glisten. Pine nuts would probably go well too 🙂 Keep up the great work!!
On April 15, 2010 at 6:16 am
Conor @ HoldtheBeef says:
Oh yes oh yes I love this meal! I think I would eat almost anything if there was delicious hummus on it, but this also happens to have delicious lamb, oh my!
On April 15, 2010 at 8:02 am
TastyTrix says:
Would you hate me if I used seitan? ; ) Though as always … you really tempt me to give up this whole veggie thing and chow down on some lamb. How do you do that???
On April 15, 2010 at 9:23 am
Doria says:
Je te souhaite une très belle soirée de ce jeudi,
Bisous, Doria
On April 15, 2010 at 11:10 am
Marysol says:
Well, I have Cuban, Spaniard and Lebanese blood running through my veins, and while my palate may get a little confused by all my favorite cuisines (Cuban, Lebanese, Spanish, Italian, and the list goes on), they’re all still embraced and enjoyed with equal passion.
I wonder if that makes me a foodie.
In any case, Jourmana, your Tostada looks increíblemente magnífico.
On April 15, 2010 at 11:22 am
Mary says:
This looks wonderfully flavorful. It’s so nice to have recipes that combine the place we are in with the places we have been. I’m sure your Texas cowboys really loved this. I know I would. I hope you are having a wonderful day. Blessings…Mary
On April 15, 2010 at 11:35 am
Astra Libris says:
Lamb and hummus is the most heavenly combination… and with your gorgeous yogurt marinade… Oh my goodness, suffice to say I’m VERY excited about fixing this soon! 🙂
On April 15, 2010 at 12:46 pm
lisa says:
I’m sort of the same way, Joumana…I have Irish, Filipino, and Spanish blood in me, and my favorite cuisines run in every direction. I grew up exposed to food from many different cultures — you get wonderful flavors when you combine them! This is a great example!
On April 15, 2010 at 12:52 pm
Erica says:
I do the same thing with Colombian cuisine……I love mixing cuisines and flavors! This looks amazing as usual 🙂
On April 15, 2010 at 3:05 pm
Louise says:
I’m on my way to Texas, “as we speak!” OMGoodness!!! I have lamb for stew in the freezer, home made yogurt and all the other ingredients!!! I am so saving this recipe, Joumana!
I’m sure it won’t look as yummy as yours but I sure am going to give it a go!!! I’ll let you know what happens.
Thanks for sharing…
On April 15, 2010 at 4:23 pm
OysterCulture says:
I love this Lebanese rift on Texas food, looks amazing and so darn tasty – cannot wait to try!
On April 15, 2010 at 9:17 pm
alwayswinner786 says:
So yummy! Trying it this weekend!
On April 16, 2010 at 1:01 am
Michelle says:
I never thought to use lamb in tostadas before. But cutting the meat into strips is how I made Tacos! Gorgeous photos!
On April 16, 2010 at 9:21 am
Kitchen Butterfly says:
Yummy, yummy, yummy. I especially love the last photo!
On April 16, 2010 at 12:28 pm
Anita says:
Roll me up a couple of these, I’m about to lick the screen 🙂
On April 16, 2010 at 9:23 pm
Mona says:
The mere sight of making me hungry Joumana. Yummy!
On April 16, 2010 at 9:46 pm
sewa mobil murah says:
I do the same thing with Colombian cuisine……I love mixing cuisines and flavors! This looks amazing as usual
On April 17, 2010 at 12:01 am
pitiboudin says:
dès que le soleil pointe le bout de son nez, je suis irrésistiblement attirée vers les pages de ton blog…. bizarre non?
On April 17, 2010 at 1:27 am
heni says:
Love it! TexTex dish Lebanesized!!!! Mmmm
On April 18, 2010 at 7:58 am
domi says:
Excellentissime, quelle belle idée je les imagines bien avec une version mini pour un apéro surprise……très, très joli
On March 22, 2011 at 11:30 pm
huong dan choi game says:
I will try to create delicious food and good articles like you. Thanks a lot
On July 25, 2018 at 8:47 am
món ăn tốt cho bé says:
Bạn rất biết cách trình bày món ăn đấy
On August 25, 2018 at 8:26 am