Lessons from the Lebanese

[1]

Image Thumbnail:

There is something about Lebanese food that instantly endears it to the Indian palate. The simplistic shawarma, pita bread, falafel, baba ghanoush and hummus are not only delicious, they conform to Indian tastes though some might find it a bit bland.

In fact, Lebanese food is an ideal alternative to vegetarians looking for a change in diet. And with pita bread being readily available these days, serving Lebanese food at home is no problem at all.

Falafel
This is like the ubiquitous pakoda, though the combination of chick peas and road beans gives it a unique taste.

Ingredients
Soak overnight: 1 cup dried broad beans, 1 cup dried chick peas and 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda.
You will also need:
1 medium onion, chopped
1 tsp garlic paste
1 tsp coriander powder
1 tbsp cumin powder
1/2 cup fresh coriander leaves, chopped
1/2 cup fresh parsley chopped
1/4 tsp garam masala
Salt & pepper

Method
Drain and wash the beans and chick peas under running water. In a food processor, blitz all the ingredients till the mixture becomes soft and doughy. Scrape out the mixture, wrap in cling film and refrigerate for one hour.
At the time of cooking, remove the falafel mixture and make small ping-pong sized balls. Flatten and deep fry in hot oil till golden brown.
This can be a superb roll with a pita bread and some union, cucumber raita.

Baba Ghanoush
The combination of brinjals, yogurt, garlic and tahini is a match made in heaven. While hummus, shawarma, falafel etc. are popular in India, Baba Ghanoush is a favourite of aficionados because of its complexities of taste.

Ingredients
2 big egg plants
2 tbsp tahini (sesame paste, available at most stores )
2 tbsp lemon juice
2 tbsp yogurt, beaten
1 garlic crushed
Salt &pepper

Method
Place the egg plants under a hot grill or over a stove for a few minutes until the skin blackens on all sides. Once it cools, peel off the skin, wash with cold water and place in a colander or a piece of muslin for the excess liquid to drain.
Mix the eggplants with the remaining ingredients with a fork or put everything in a food processor to make into a smooth dip. Serve cold topped with some olive oil and chopped parsley or fresh basil, along with pita bread.

Hummus
An article on Lebanese food is incomplete without hummus. It is the easiest of all the dishes and the most nutritious. It can be kept in the fridge for weeks and is excellent as a healthy snack.

Ingredients
2 cups dry chick peas soaked in water with 1/2 tsp. bicarbonate of soda overnight
3 cloves of garlic crushed
1/2 cup tahini (sesame seed paste)
1/4 cup lemon juice
Salt & pepper

Method
Drain the chick peas and rinse well under running water. Boil water in a saucepan and cook the chick peas covered for one hour or till they are soft.
Take off from the heat and leave to cool. Drain the chickpeas and put in a food processor with all the other ingredients and blitz till they become a soft paste.
Serve on a flat dish with a good drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and some parsley leaves, with pita bread on the side.

Hummus is a healthy snack and can be stored in the fridge for weeks