PHRIDAY PHEAST #4 – Phoodie’s Phave Lebanese ‘Little Bits’ 0

Lebanese food.

Just another cuisine to gain weight on!

Not that it in itself is particularly fattening or unhealthy, quite the opposite actually. But we all know it’s not realllllllllly fat that makes you fat, it’s QUANTITY. And due to the deliciousness of the below foods (and alllllll Leb food) you can never stop at ‘just one mouthful’ or ‘just a scoop’ or ‘only a bite’…..

I had SUCH a vast number of Lebanese recipes to choose from for this Pheast but I really just wanted to keep Leb 101 really basic. I figured there’s plenty of time for more complex and heavier dishes and as always, the best place to start is at the beginning.

So…. I have chosen my 3 favourite BASIC Lebanese starters/sides to share with you. These are things that you most likely would have eaten if you’ve ever had Leb food, but perhaps you’ve never thought to make them….

Read below and check out just how easy they are to whip up!! Then….. GET COOKING!! :)

Apologies for less than impressive photography on this post – snapped them late at night, hence dodgy light :(

HUMUS

Makes enough for 4 people (as a starter)

450 g canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed
2 cloves garlic, crushed
3 tbs olive oil
3 tbs tahini
3 – 4 tbs lemon juice
3 tbs water
Salt and Pepper to taste (I use at LEAST 1 1/2 teaspoons salt!)

To make the Humus, chuck everything in a food processor or in a bowl and use a hand held blitzer and blend it all together until smooth.

SERIOUSLY. THAT easy.

BABA GANOUSH

Makes enough for 4 people, as a starter

2 eggplants, chargrilled over the stove until cooked, then flesh scooped out (to see how to do this click here)
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 cup Labneh (Lebanese strained yoghurt, available at most supermarkets – I make my own)
3 tbs tahini
2 tbs olive oil
3 cloves garlic, crushed
Salt and Pepper to taste

To make the BG, chuck everything in a food processor or in a bowl and use a hand held blitzer and blend it all together until smooth. SAME METHOD AS THE HUMUS!!

TABBOULEH

Makes enough for 4 people, as a small side

2 bunches flat leaf parsley, chopped
1/2 cup lemon juice
3 tbs olive oil
3 tbsp burghul (soaked in boiling water, then drained properly)
3 tomatoes, diced into small pieces
1 cucumber, seeds removed and diced into small pieces
1/2 bunch shallots / spring onion, chopped into small pieces
Salt and pepper to taste

To make the Tabbouleh, toss all ingredients in a bowl together. I mean c’mon…..WHAT COULD BE SIMPLER??!?!

Make sure to serve all of the above with GENEROUS amounts of FRESH Lebanese bread!

So there you have it, my 3 easy Leb 101 recipes. Give ’em a go. Lemme know what you think!!

Have a great weekend!

Oh and I almosttttttttt forgot one important thing…..

Dessert!! What’s for dessert?!?!

B’learwa of course!! Click here for the recipe!