Archive for the ‘ Middle Eastern Cuisine ’ Category

FALAFEL SANDWICH

To round out my week of Middle Eastern cuisine, I present to you a vehicle for all those tasty homemade recipes — the falafel sandwich.  This is the kind of sandwich that makes me feel like maybe, just maybe, I could be a vegetarian.  Afterall, with a sandwich as filling and flavorful as this one, who needs meat?  With mixed baby greens, crunchy cabbage and carrots, this version is everything but authentic.

Admittedly, I don’t typically order the falafel sandwich — I prefer a loaded schawerma wrap most days — but that’s because most places serve their sandwiches with some wilted iceberg lettuce, chunks of flavorless tomatoes and the withered tennis balls they call falafel. As it turns out a good falafel sandwich is its own kind of wonderful, and as is the case with many things, all the much better when you’re the one deciding what goes into it.

I knew I wanted something a bit brighter than usual; something that included textures and flavors that would enhance the soft, savory falafel. The combination listed below promises balanced bites — the pepper and pickled turnips add a tangy kick, the cabbage and carrots the right kind of crunch and the tahini sauce and baba ganoush are creamy and bold without overwhelming the flavor of the falafels themselves — but feel free to throw in tomato, eggplant, Middle Eastern pickles or any other additions you think would be good. And if you come up with an inspired combination, don’t forget to share your secrets in the comments.

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2010
03/21
CATEGORY
Middle Eastern Cuisine
Sandwich
Vegetarian
14 comments

FALAFEL WITH TAHINI SAUCE

Looking for good falafel in San Francisco can leave one feeling like Goldilocks.  In a town with so few options to choose from, compared to a city like New York, finding real, quality falafel around here can be hit or miss.  Oftentimes too dry, frequently too large and almost always too dense, my misadventures in the quest for the perfect fritter have lead me to create a recipe that produces perfectly light, moist and delicious falafel every time.  In Goldilocks’ words, these are just right.

Dehydrated chickpeas are soaked overnight and ground with onions, parsley and garlic then seasoned with aromatic spices before being fried to a rich, golden brown. Top with a drizzle of garlic and lemon spiked tahini sauce and you have a version that I’d bet rivals some of the best you’ve ever bought.

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2010
03/18
CATEGORY
Appetizer
Condiments
Dip
Fried
Middle Eastern Cuisine
Vegetarian
10 comments

TZATZIKI

Another day, another classic Mediterranean/Middle-Eastern dip, this time Tzatziki, or Cacik as it’s known in Turkey. (It’s certainly not Irish, but at least I’ve got some green going on!)  Whatever you want to call it, this dip stands out as one of my all-time favorites.  Cool, thick Greek-style yogurt is combined with crisp, refreshing cucumbers and laced with pungent garlic and mint for a concoction that is as good on the humble pita as it is on spicy grilled meats.

Good tzatziki is all about texture.  Yes, balance of flavor is always important, but when it comes to this specific herb-inflected spread, I like mine thick and creamy. Here, liquid is the enemy so my version calls for not one, but two ‘purges’ of moisture (once for the yogurt and once for the cucumbers) in an effort to control the final consistency of the dish.  Now, you can go out and buy thick, Greek-style yogurt at the supermarket, but if you’ve been swept up in its recent trend then you’ve probably already noticed that their not exactly giving that stuff away.  That’s why I buy plain, whole-milk yogurt and drain away the excess whey overnight in the fridge — less money, more moisture control.

This stuff is so refreshing that I’m sure once you try it you’ll be making it for dolloping and dipping throughout the spring and summer months. Plus, once you get the technique for straining the yogurt down, you  can forgo the savory addition of garlic and cucumbers and try drizzling it with honey, stirring in fruit or topping it with granola for an exceptionally delicious breakfast or snack.

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2010
03/16
CATEGORY
Appetizer
Condiments
Dip
Middle Eastern Cuisine
Vegetarian
4 comments

BABA GANOUSH

Sure, St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner, and while I could offer you a few variations on classic Irish dishes like corned beef and colcannon, something has me craving Middle Eastern food instead.  So, this week I’ll be posting some of my favorite recipes from Lebanon, Turkey and Israel, all culminating in a dish that will be able to take advantage of each flavorful offering in the group. How about a dip to start?

Like its cousin hummus, baba ganoush is now offered by a myriad of producers and can be found at almost any major grocery store.  While most of it is good, I’ve found that nothing quite compares with a batch of the homemade stuff.  An essential component of any good mezze platter or vegetarian plate at most restaurants, this eggplant dip is as healthy as it is flavorful. For those who’ve never tried it, imagine a smoky spread that is as at once creamy and light, tangy and sweet and as good with warm pita bread at is with crunchy crudite.

At its best, baba is always a contrast of flavors and textures, but the exact ratio of lemon juice to tahini, the consistency from rough chopped to food processor smooth, the addition of a lot or a little garlic, etc. is in the eye mouth of the beholder. And of course, there is no way quite as effective to ensure that a dish is made to your tastes than to make it yourself. So, while I’ve included a handful of measurements in the recipe, keep in mind that they are merely guidelines that can easily be adjusted to suit your own taste, and that technique is what’s most important in creating a outstanding eggplant dip.

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2010
03/14
CATEGORY
Appetizer
Condiments
Dip
Gluten-Free
Middle Eastern Cuisine
10 comments

MUHAMMARA WITH ZA’ATAR DUSTED PITA CHIPS

Muhammara

If you are any kind of home cook, chances are you’ve made your own hummus at least once – a can of garbanzo beans, some tahini, a little garlic and lemon juice and you’re set.  Those of us who are a bit more adventurous in the kitchen may have even attempted making our own baba ghanoush; the other ubiquitous Middle Eastern dip now found on the shelves of nearly every major grocery store.  Considering the overwhelming popularity and mainstream appeal of these healthful dishes, I will never cease to be amazed that more people haven’t heard of muhammara – let alone tried it.

Popular throughout Syria, Turkey and Lebanon this delicious paste of walnuts, breadcrumbs and roasted red peppers is certainly a taste combination you must try.  Savory, sweet and a little spicy, the distinctly flavored dip gets much of its unique character from the intense sour flavor of pomegranate molasses.  Like hummus, muhammara has a taste and texture that belies it’s dairy-free blend.  Here, walnuts give the dip a rich, creamy consistency while roasted red bell peppers lend the dish it’s beautiful brick red color.

Served with crispy, homemade za’atar dusted pita chips and you have an appetizer so good you’ll be kicking yourself for having never tried it until now.  Who knows, maybe we’ll be seeing fourteen different brands of muhammara lining our grocery store shelves in the near future.

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2009
10/22
CATEGORY
Appetizer
Chiles
Condiments
Dip
Middle Eastern Cuisine
Vegetarian
3 comments
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