Walima Cooking Club tour Lebanon :Aysh el-Saraya and Sheesh Barak

November was Lebanese cooking at the Walima Club.Two luxurious dishes from the land of milk and honey ,it was hard to satisfy with just one ,I celebrated with both the sweet and savory delights.Before we get cooking here is a brief history of Lebanon and its cuisine ...
Lebnan, Le-b-nan that means the White Mountain, once called "The pearl of the middle East,” is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea, Israel, and Syria. At one time or another Phoenicians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, Arabs, European Crusaders, Ottomans, and French all ruled and had influence over the land and its cuisine. The Cuisine of this Ancient Land is diverse and steeped in history; Lebanon is a culinary and cultural Crossroads. Lebanon is located on the Eastern most shore of the Mediterranean in the Fertile Crescent, where Western Civilization is said to have begun. Both the Eastern and Western influences in its cookery are apparent. It combines the sophistication of European Cuisine with the excitement of Eastern Spices.

The food of the entire Mediterranean region is a celebration of life; it is fresh, flavorful, diverse and invigorating. The Lebanese proudly admit that the genius of their food is its simplicity, and that the food was a product of both the earth and the sea. Also the natural bond that all of the Mediterranean cuisines share, from the tip of Spain to Lebanon “the same waters equally splash all of the countries around the Mediterranean".
Lebanese cuisine is the richer and the finest in the Middle East and any other Arab countries due to their milder climate, and indeed, any cuisine is dependent upon climate and geography. Lebanese Cuisine is considered a very balanced, healthy diet. The Cuisine of Lebanon is the epitome of the Mediterranean diet. The country’s cuisine characterized by the use of a wide variety of fresh ingredients which include olive oil, herbs, spices, fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products, grains, fresh fish and seafood; animal fats are consumed sparingly. Poultry and red meat and usually lamb, is eaten more often, either grilled, baked or sautéed in olive oil or butter, cream is rarely used other than in a few desserts. Vegetables are often eaten raw or pickled as well as cooked.
Though its mainstream popularity is relatively new, the Cuisine is not; the Cuisine of Lebanon has been in the making since pre-biblical times. The influence that Lebanon has had on the world is totally out of proportion to its size; culinary contributions from this tiny Country have had the greatest impact on modern Middle Eastern cuisine.



The November's Splendid sweet Challenge was picked by Joumana from www.tasteofbeirut.com
The Bread of the Seraglio ( Aysh el-Saraya)

A delectable bread pudding made by soaking the bread in Caramel syrup infused with Orange blossom ,topped with slotted cream and toasted nuts.The changes made to the original recipe :
*White whole grain bread for plain white bread
*Dark brown sugar for white sugar
*Low fat ricotta for half and half in the topping.

Recipe
Source: Lebanese Cuisine by Anissa Helou
Ingredients
1 round loaf White Whole wheat bread
For Caramel Syrup
1 cup brown or white sugar* (I used dark brown sugar)
2 tablespoon water
1 1/2 cup hot water
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon orange blossom water or rose water

Topping variations
1.Low fat Ricotta cream
1 1/2 cup low fat ricotta
1 tablespoon white sugar or 2 teaspoon Agave nectar

2.Lebanese clotted cream or Ashta
2 slices of white bread without the crust
2 cups half-and-half

1/4 cup toasted pistachios, coarsely processed.

Method
Cut off the crust of the bread slices and save them for making bread crumbs.
Arrange the slices on a baking sheet and toast in an oven at 350 F until lightly brown on both sides(Turn once) about 10-15 minutes.
Now lay the toasted slices on large wide pan.Prepare the syrup.
Put the sugar, water and lemon juice in a pan and place over medium heat. Bring to the boil and cook, for about 20 minutes or until it is caramelized.
Towards the end of the cooking time, measure 1 1/2 cups of water and bring to a boil in a teakettle. When the sugar is caramelized, start adding the water gradually without taking the sugar mixture off the heat. Be very careful, because the sugar will start spluttering and you could burn yourself!
Pour the boiling syrup all over the toasted bread and place over medium heat and cook pressing the bread with the back of a spoon to mash it and make it soak up the syrup.
Transfer the bread in to the serving dish and spread it evenly across the dish. Let it cool entirely before spread the toppings.

Low fat Ricotta Creamy Spread
Method
Whip the ricotta cheese and the sweetener(sugar or syrup) in a blender or a processor until smooth and creamy.

Clotted cream or Ashta:
Method
Cut the bread in small pieces and place in a saucepan
Pour the cream or half-and-half over the bread
Bring to the boil. Lower the heat and simmer 10 minutes, stirring often.
Cool then refrigerate. It should keep for 4 to 5 days. Makes 1 pint.

Chill after spreading the cream and sprinkle the pistachios all over before serving.


The Savory Challenge was picked by Arlette(the mastermind of the cooking club):
Lebanese Style Sheesh Barak(Dumpling with Greek Yogurt Sauce)
A sumptuous Arabic dish,in Lebanese style Sheesh Barak the dumplings are baked then soaked in slow cook Greek yogurt sauce that's infused with flavors of garlic and mint.

Adapted from Recipes at Simply Heaven food and Antonio Tahhan
Basic Dough or Ajeen for making the Dumpling

Ingredients
2 cups Wheat flour(fine ground)
1/2 cup warm water
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil or canola oil
1/2 teaspoon salt

Method
Sift the flour onto a working surface or a mixing bowl.Mix in salt. Make a well in the center and pour the oil.Add water gradually.Knead the dough on a floured working surface until it is smooth and elastic this can be done in an electric mixer fitted with a dough hook, or in a food processor.Form the dough into a ball and put into a lightly floured bowl, covered with a damp cloth.Allow the dough to rest for an hour.

The Filling Variations
With Meat
Fry 2 tablespoon of onions in a teaspoon of oil. Add 1/2 pound ground lean beef, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon allspice and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. Stir occasionally and fry for 7-8 minutes. Add 2 tablespoon pine nuts and Mix.Cool before filling.
With Vegetables
Prepare an vegetable filling by sauteing any kind of quick cooking vegetables with spices.I used chopped onions ,purple cabbage,peppers and carrots


Cooked Greek Yogurt Sauce
Ingredients
2 cup fat free or low fat Greek Yogurt
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 Organic Egg
2 tablespoon water
2 cloves garlic, crushed with a dash of salt
1 cup finely chopped fresh mint (or use dried)
2 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil or canola oil

Note: The egg and the cornstarch are there as stabilizers so that the yogurt won’t separate.Make sure to cook the yogurt on medium low heat , high heat could ruin the sauce.

Method
Dissolve the cornstarch in water.Whip the egg and mix in to the yogurt with the cornstarch water.Cook the yogurt on low heat ,while stirring constantly ,until sauce is bubbly and smooth.
To flavor the yogurt,heat oil in a small pan add the garlic ,saute until aromatic.Mix in the chopped mint and turn off the heat.Slowly mix this in to the yogurt sauce


Preparing the Sheesh Barak:
Roll out the dough with a rolling pin to about 1 mm thickness. Using a round cookie cutter (medium size), press over dough to get equal rounds (or squares).
Spread the round a little with your fingers. Place 2 teaspoon of the filling on it. Fold over one end to make a semi-circle. Press edges down to seal. Take the two ends from the straight side, bring them together to make a small ring. Press well. Repeat till rounds are done.

Place the stuffed dough and the cut pastries in a tray with parchment, Bake in a hot oven (400F) for 10 minutes or until golden. During this time prepare and cook the yogurt and when it starts to boil add the baked pastries to the boiling cooked yogurt one by one. Let it boil over low heat for 10 minutes or till pastries are cooked.Make sure to cook the yogurt on medium low heat , high heat could ruin the sauce.

Sprinkle with dried mint or sumac.Serve warm,can also be served with Lebanese Rice Pilaf with Vermicelli.





Tried and Tasted : No cook Vegan Tofu Chocolate Pudding


A lusciously healthy pudding using two of the most nutritious ingredients Cocoa and Tofu ,that I couldn't miss posting today,the last day of sending the entries for Tried and tasted event,the featured blog of the month is Sunshine mom's Tongue Ticklers and the host is Ragaa of The Singing Chef.Find the recipe here.

Show Me Your Lunch Box

This is for Divya's :Show Me your Lunch Box.
A wholesome lunch box with Whole grain stuffed buns with spicy veggie and\or lean meat filling.Crunchy carrots and Walnuts and an apple to finish off .

Comments

SE said…
very new to me..seems very interesting..thanks for sharing..
mona said…
oh wow Yasmeen, what a post! Everything looks so delicious mashallah and I am feeling super hungry! Wish I could have a little of everything that you posted!
That is a wonderful post! I love Lebnaese food! Great recipes you have here.

Cheers,

Rosa
Cool Lassi(e) said…
Drool-worthy dish with eye-catching pistachios topper..Lovely post Yasmeen
Priya Suresh said…
Such a delectable dish, never tried yet lebnase foods, lovely dishes together!
Jhonny walker said…
yasmin...I am speechless..so may fantatsic flavors in one post! I use spices..but this way of doing it is realy new..Am I glad that I am following you!
tasteofbeirut said…
My mouth was watering while admiring your photos. Great job Yasmeen and excellent idea to modify the recipe a teensy bit and make it -shall we say- healthy!
Great intro on Lebanon too.
What a mouthwatering feast-sounds SO exotic!!
Anonymous said…
Lovely dishes, everything looks incredibly delicious!
lubnakarim06 said…
Oh wow...love the way u r posting these days...so many recipes in one post...nice to know and read more about Mediterranean cooking.....recipe looks extremely yum...love that healthy and colorful looking lunch box...
Gita Jaishankar said…
wow...such luxurious dishes...I love the healthy twist you have given to the dishes....the lunch box too...great healthy idea :)
Sarah Naveen said…
yummy posts..i m yet to try making lebanese food, though i have tried it in restaurants ..Love it..
Jessica said…
The bread pudding reminds me of one that I tasted at one of my arabic pals parties,the bread was all white though.I like the healthy substitutes.The tofu pudding and lunch box look fabulous.
Vikis Kitchen said…
Its very interesting to read about Lebanon and their cuisine. Very colorful post. I just go to an Afghan restaurant to devour the lamb and some pomegranate dessert there. Very inspiring dishes. Now I am looking for more Mediterranean resatarant:)
Cham said…
The bread pudding is very elegant dessert! All are drool worthy!
Seema said…
Both the dishes sound new to me.we make something similar to the bread pudding,fry the bread in butter and top with custard.I like this lower fat recipe.
Ivy said…
I love Lebanese cuisine and a lot of their recipes have been incorporated to Cypriot cuisine as we are practically next door neighbours. We make this dessert using rusks instead of bread.
Sarah said…
The pistachios topping is such a great contrast with ricotta cream. book marking both to try soon =)
Muneeba said…
I think the Walima challenges are one of my favorite things that you do! Maybe 'coz your photos make every dish look so tempting! Nummyyyyyyyyy.
Unknown said…
I'm all eyes for that pudding..can't image the delish flavor from the blossom water...one of my favorite ingredients in Middle eastern cooking.
Shija said…
Very interesting attractive recipes.I'm going to try the dumpling in yogurt sauce soon.Thanks!
Cynthia said…
Oh gosh, I wish I could have tasted that bread pudding.
CurryLeaf said…
Very new to me.Thanks for this I am these days searching for Lebanese.This looks too perfect.
Sarah said…
What beautiful recipes! I love the chocolate tofu recipe and will have to try that out on the kids :)
Sasha said…
I really need a lunch box make over...great ideas.
Dilip said…
stunning photography...you have a beautiful and healthy load of recipes.
Arlette said…
Hello my friend

Can I say you are cooking like a Pro Lebanese Cook. Also modifying and the recipes with new flavours the recipes..I like the vegetarian dumpling... I have to try it one day.. thanks for the great ideas.
I use Ricotta Cheese in my Kashta too, I like the flavour and the texture it gives the cream.

Thanks you so much for an amazing delicious posting...
Cherine said…
Love this post about Lebanon & your recipes. I am Lebanese and your photos look divine!! Great job :)
Lebanese cook said…
Nice post however the intro on lebanese food seem to have been written by some lebanese nationalist lol. All of our dishes are in fact syrian. Our kitchen is 100% identical to the syrian cuisine and 90 % identical to the Palestinian cusine. Its the levantine kitchen and not a lebanese kitchen. However lebanese have a succesful restaurant business where we serve this food around the world under our name.

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