Lebanese cuisine
By: Siem Kersten.
Introduction to typical Lebanese cuisine
Lebanese cuisine is seen worldwide as one of the most refined, healthy and flavorful cuisines in the world. This is because many other countries have an influence on the cuisine. Located on the Mediterranean Sea, it is the ultimate melting pot of Mediterranean freshness and Arabic spices. In addition, the dishes have many influences from Persians, Kurds and Armenians. Abundant use is made of ingredients such as olive oil, garlic, lemon, fresh herbs (such as parsley and mint) and spices such as sumac and za'atar. Chickpeas, parsley, lemon, sesame oil, olives and walnuts are also widely used. Lebanese cuisine has a number of typical dishes:
The essence: Mezze
The symbol of Lebanese food culture is the mezze: a table-filling collection of dozens of small hot and cold dishes to share. Eating in Lebanon is a social activity that can last for hours.
Well-known mezze dishes are:
- Hummus: A creamy dip of chickpeas, tahini (sesame paste), garlic and lemon juice.
- Baba Ghanoush: A smoky dip made from grilled eggplant.
- Taboulé: A fresh salad that consists mainly of finely chopped parsley, mint, tomato and a little bit of bulgur.
- Fattoush: A crunchy meal salad with radish, tomato and pieces of fried or toasted pita bread, flavored with sour sumac.
- Labneh: A thick, creamy, drained yogurt that is often eaten with olive oil and spices as a dip or breakfast.
Iconic Main Dishes:
The mezze is often followed by the heavier meat or fish dishes, with lamb and chicken being the most popular:
- Kibbeh: The national dish of Lebanon. These are oval-shaped 'croquettes' of finely ground bulgur filled with seasoned minced meat, onion and pine nuts.
- Shish Taouk: Skewers of tender marinated chicken in a sauce of garlic, lemon and yogurt, which are prepared on the charcoal grill.
- Shawarma: Traditionally slow-cooked meat from a vertical spit, served in a wrap with toum (an intense garlic sauce).
Street Food and Breakfast:
- Manakish: This is also called the 'Lebanese pizza'. It is a flatbread that is generously spread with olive oil and za'atar (a spice mixture of wild thyme, sumac and sesame seeds) or cheese before baking. It is a wildly popular breakfast.
- Falafel: Fried balls of chickpeas and beans, flavored with coriander and cumin.
Sweets and drinks:
The Lebanese are fond of sweet, a legacy from the Ottoman and French periods.
- Baklava: Dun filodeeg gevuld met pistachenoten of walnoten, overgoten met een siroop van suiker en oranjebloesemwater.
- Knafeh: Een warm dessert van gesmolten kaas met een krokante bovenkant van deegsliertjes, overgoten met zoete siroop.
- Arak: De nationale alcoholische drank. Dit is een sterke, met anijs doordrenkte sterke drank die met water en ijs wordt gedronken, waardoor hij melkachtig wit kleurt (vergelijkbaar met ouzo of raki).
Reasons enough to try a Lebanese restaurant near you!
Try Lebanese Restaurant Al Orzaal in Rhenen (The Netherlands) and let yourself be culinary surprised.
Open Wednesday to Saturday from 17:00 - 22:00 o’clock.
Reservations only by phone +31 (0) 317-616191.
Reunion return trip 2020