For the finale of our Summer Solstice feast Deborah made this cake from Crazy Water, Pickled Lemons by Diana Henry. With classic Middle Eastern flavours it was a perfect way to end the meal. For the biscuit base, bash 150g (5 ½oz) of sweet biscuits and 55g (2oz) blanched almonds together in a plastic bag using a…… Continue reading yoghurt, honey and pistachio cheesecake with oranges in cardamom syrup
Tag: middle eastern food
cauliflower pilaf + fried root veg + spinach and yoghurt
This vegetarian meal is loosely based on a Jordanian Maqluba which normally includes meat, rice, and fried vegetables placed in a pot, which is then flipped upside down when served. The recipe is adapted from one by Henry Dimbleby and Jane Baxter which appeared in The Guardian. Preheat your oven to 200ºC (º400F). Heat 1 litre (34 fl oz)…… Continue reading cauliflower pilaf + fried root veg + spinach and yoghurt
freekeh salad with lamb
Freekeh (or farik) is roasted green wheat which derives it’s name from being rubbed (farīkor) or threshed. The wheat is harvested when the grains are yellow and the seeds soft and is first sun-dried then carefully set on fire so only the straw and chaff burn. The high moisture content of the seeds prevents them from burning.…… Continue reading freekeh salad with lamb
shakshouka
Shakshouka (or shakshuka), a baked egg dish which has gained popularity in many breakfast cafés here in Australia, is thought to have originated in Tunisia. According to Claudia Roden artichoke hearts, potatoes and broad beans were added to the original dish. It can be found in the cuisines of Libya, Algeria, Morocco and Egypt. In Israel, where it was introduced by…… Continue reading shakshouka
lamb meatballs with eggplant and tomato + couscous with cauliflower
Here’s a hearty meal with North African and Middle Eastern influences. To make the meatballs combine lamb mince with finely chopped parsley, ground cumin and ground cinnamon to taste and season well with salt and pepper. Form into small meatballs and set aside in the fridge. Dice a large eggplant (aubergine) and fry gently in some…… Continue reading lamb meatballs with eggplant and tomato + couscous with cauliflower
rice with onions, chick peas and currants + butternut salad
Here are another two inspired Yotam Ottolenghi recipes from his book Jerusalem. This dish is made with a cup of basmati rice and ¼ of a cup of wild rice both pre-cooked separately. Heat some sunflower oil in a saucepan and add 2 teaspoons of cumin seeds and 1½ teaspoons of curry powder. After only a few seconds…… Continue reading rice with onions, chick peas and currants + butternut salad
koftas with tahini sauce
Thanks to Yotam Ottolenghi again for these delicious morsels! In a bowl mix 400g (14 oz) each of freshly minced lamb and beef, 1 small finely diced onion, 2 large minced cloves of garlic, 50g (1¾ oz) of roughly chopped toasted pine nuts (save some whole ones for later), 30g (1 oz) of finely chopped…… Continue reading koftas with tahini sauce
ma’amoul
These small shortbread pastries are very popular in Palestine and the Gulf States. Filled with dates, pistachios, walnuts and occasionally almonds or figs, Muslims eat them at night during Ramadan and during the Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha holidays and Arabic-speaking Christians eat them at Easter. They are also popular among Syrian, Lebanese and Egyptian Jewish communities, who eat them with nut fillings on Purim, and with date fillings on Rosh Hashanah and Hanukkah. The subject of ma’amoul arose in conversation with my friend Caroline who was not only…… Continue reading ma’amoul
baked rice pudding
This is an old favourite with a fragrant Middle Eastern twist. Preheat the oven to 160℃ (320℉). In a saucepan heat 3 cups of milk and 1 cup of cream with a cinnamon stick, 3 strips of orange rind, ¾ of a cup of caster sugar, a teaspoon of vanilla paste and a generous grating…… Continue reading baked rice pudding
meatballs with broad beans
This recipe comes from Yotam Ottolenghi’s wonderful cookbook Jerusalem. In a large bowl mix 300g (10½ oz) of beef mince, 150g (5¼ oz) of lamb mince, a finely chopped onion, 120g (4¼ oz) of breadcrumbs, 2 tablespoons each of finely chopped parsley, mint, dill and coriander (chop some extra for garnish), 2 crushed cloves of garlic, I tablespoon…… Continue reading meatballs with broad beans
michelle picker cooks 