Cheesecake (Knefeh)
Knefeh is our national cheesecake; it is eaten in Lebanon forbreakfast as well as dessert. Like all pastries, it does not contain eggs; made of a cheese similar to mozzarella and a semolina and butter crust. It is sweetened by dousing syrup on it after it comes out from the...
Read More »
Lobster and shrimp soup
In the late nineties, Andrea Bocelli came to Lebanon to perform inBeit Eddine, a historic palace in the Shouf mountains. My dad, who never missed a concert with opera in it, invited us to join him. I was stunned to hear the audience, composed mainly of twenty year-olds, singing...
Read More »
Strawberry tarts in a jiffy
Let’s face it: All of us foodies like to make things from scratch, believing strongly that this is the only way that food will taste its best. No argument there. However, there are times when this is just not possible. Life gets in the way; appointments, traffic, bad plumbing, cat had...
Read More »
Citrus salad
Have you noticed the incredible variety of citrus on display these days? I can’t keep up! Tangelos, Pummelos, Navel, Seville, Honey tangerines, Valencia, Satsuma, Moro, Cara Cara and more; I know people who have serious cravings for a rack of ribs, but when I have a serious craving it...
Read More »
Lentil kibbeh balls stuffed with cheese
A while back, I posted a lentil kibbeh recipe, a dish specific to areas in Southern Lebanon. I got a comment from Peter suggesting that it be fried. My initial reaction, to be honest, was like that of a Greek being told by a Frenchman: “It might be a good idea...
Read More »
Potato chips in tahini sauce
I am not sure if what I go through is shared by many people or humanity at large, but every year it is the same thing: in the heat of summer, I wish it could be cooler. In the dead of winter, I am longing for summer! I can’t...
Read More »
Green beans, bulgur and chick peas casserole
Madfooneh means buried; here, green beans are buried in bulgurand chick peas; a rural dish from the region west of the Bekaa valley. The bulgur after cooking becomes silky soft and turns me into a glutton. I try to resist eating too much of this dish in one sitting. Eating...
Read More »
Shortbread cookie (Ghoraybeh)
Apparently Valentine’s day is celebrated in Lebanon on the 13th; the reason being that the 14th is a national mourning day, to commemorate the brutal assassination (by massive bomb explosion) of the former Prime Minister and two dozen other people. I admire the flexibility demonstrated by my countrymen. Not one...
Read More »
Tomato soup
This soup is easy to make and a time-saver on busy nights. INGREDIENTS: 4 servings 1 1/2 pounds of tomatoes or a can of good Italian tomatoes 1 onion, 1 large carrot, 2 sticks of celery 1 tablespoon of dried mint 1 quart of chicken stock (or any stock)...
Read More »
