As
a Lebanese foodie who is all about traveling around to explore different
countries, cultures and especially cuisines, I happen to be in India for the
first time, loving local tastes and trying different delicious dishes every day!
In return, I would love to share with you a bit about Lebanese food.
Lebanese
cuisine is one of the richest cuisines in the world, offering its lovers a
variety of options that suit all tastes. It has a lot in common with Greek and
Turkish cuisines. Here are ten Lebanese food items that you should absolutely
try:
1- Fattoush
A
salad made of toasted or fried pita bread, tomatoes, lettuce, cucumber and
radish, Fattoush is many people’s favorite because it is fresh and can be a
full meal by itself!
2- Tabboule
Another popular salad, tabboule is made of chopped tomatoes and parsley, onions and bulgur.
It is accompanied by a lemon and olive oil dressing. Yummy!!
3- Hummus
Hummus
is a Lebanese appetizer or dip made of blended chick peas, sesame tahini, lemon
juice and garlic. You can have it with pita bread and as a side order for meat
based dishes such as grills and shawarma.
4- Baba Ghanuj
Belonging
to the same category as hummus, baba ghanuj (also called moutabal) is based on
char-grilled eggplants to which tahini, lemon juice, olive oil and garlic puree
are added. Just Delicious!
5- Manoushe
Manoushe
is usually a breakfast meal. Similar to a pizza, it is dough but covered with
thyme
and oil, cheese or meat and tomato.
Just the perfect way to start your day!
6- Sambousek
Sambousek
is a pastry that is either fried or baked and that is stuffed with lamb meat
and onions or white cheese. Definitely a must try!
7- Kebbe
Kebbe
is one of the most popular Lebanese food items. It is made of bulgur and
stuffed with minced onions and lamb meat. It can be fried or grilled and is
served in the form of balls or patties. Delicious!!
8- Shawarma
Shawarma,
a sort of Lebanese fast food, is made of marinated chicken or lamb skewered on
big metal rods and cooked slowly. Once ready, the meat is cut on a demand basis
and served mostly as a sandwich with pickles, hummus and tomatoes in rolled
pita bread.
A very
famous Lebanese desert, Baklava is made of layered pastry filled with minced
pistachio and soaked in Attar, syrup made of sugar and water.
10- Knefe
Knefe
is also a Lebanese desert that is however usually consumed for breakfast. It is
semolina dough spread on top of a layer of white cheese commonly served in sesame
bread with Attar sauce (same as Baklava)
Want
to try Lebanese food in Delhi? Here are some Lebanese restaurants, along with their
locations and price ranges:
1- Zaitoon: (Mediterranean &
Lebanese) MY RECOMMENDATION J
Locations: Saket, Anand Niketan, DLF
Phase 1 and Greater Kailash (GK)- 2
Cost: Approx Rs. 500 for two (without
alcohol), VAT extra
2- Spirit Restaurant & Bar: (North Indian,
Italian & Lebanese)
Location: Connaught Place, New
Delhi
Cost: Approx Rs. 2000 for two (with
alcohol), VAT & Service Charges extra
3- My Way Or the Highway: (North Indian,
Lebanese, Mediterranean & Italian)
Location: Noida
Cost: Approx Rs. 2000 for two (with
alcohol), VAT & Service Charges extra
I love
Lebanese food! And not only because I am Lebanese myself :)
- -Vansessa
Hobeika, Guest Author