Holy bread
It may seem strange to some of you not familiar with the Near East to be eating holy bread as a snack, but here it is sold in grocery stores as well as used in religious service; I am starving, having spent all day driving around; I walked into...
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Grape Molasses drink
Whenever I see my brother Jean, it is as the French say en coup de vent (like a gust of wind); he landed from Singapore and hopped on a plane bound to Cyprus; we managed to share a meal, during which he told us about a book written by...
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Apricot jam
Homemade apricot jam is traditional and in the past every household used to make it. Lebanese society has become Westernized and families now have two-wage earners busy with outside work; as a result, many people rely on an industrious grandmother, mother or aunt to perpetuate the tradition. The best...
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Upside-down cherry cake
A cake made with a handful of these Hammana cherries, some labneh or Greek yogurt, ground almonds, eggs, butter, flour and flavorings; can be made in a jiffy since the cherries need not be cooked, only pitted. The crumb is tender, flavorful and on the moist side. Can be...
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Lunch with a writer/archaelogist in Beirut
When Fadi Stephan invited me to lunch, I did not know what to expect; I had read his wonderful bookLe Berceau du Monde (tr: cradle of the world, to be translated at UT Austin), knew that he had taught archaelogy and semitic languages, knew of his family, but that was...
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Yogurt and Purslane salad
This was one of the dishes on the buffet at Tawlet; it is a rural dish from the North; very nourishing, as purslane is supposed to be the most nutritious green ever (even though it is a weed); the US Department of agriculture had plans to encourage its cultivation...
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Veggie fritters
Another creation from darling Eva; she took some cabbage, carrots, potato and zucchini and made these delicious fritters. She served them as a side dish but they could just as easily constitute your lunch with a salad and some olives. INGREDIENTS: 1 Large potato 1 chunk of green cabbage...
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A day at the beach
In Lebanon these days one has a choice of beaches: you can go to a ritzy beach (if you want to parade in your latest outfit) , a free beach, a moderate beach; it all depends on what you are in the mood for. This one is located North...
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Fish loaf with smoked salmon and basil
Prepared by charming Eva, this is the most ethereal fish pâté I have ever tasted; the secret lies in the fact that she used only egg whites, and baked it in a water bath. It contains white fish and some smoked salmon for added color and taste along with...
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