Monthly Archives: July 2009

Lemons in Lebanon

Got  some lemons today. Their fragrance  was reaching my nostrils one foot away…. I asked ” men weyn? (from where?) …”from Saida” I was told. They must have been freshly picked.  I brought a leaf up close. It was heady with lemon perfume. OK. Here is the deal. In Lebanon, the internet sucks or is [...]
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Apricots with ashta (cream)

Talk about an easy and delicious dessert! I had it in Beirut at a fancy restaurant and my friend Hoda vowed to try to  make it at home.  So, a few days later she invited me to come over to her place in Mosaiytbeh in West Beirut. She assembled it in a few minutes and [...]
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Tamryeh in Deir El-Kamar

  Almost everyone you meet in Beirut comes from a specific village outside of the city. My family is no exception. On my mother’s side, our roots are in Deir el-Kamar, also known as the City of Emirs (Princes); in my own prejudiced view, it is the most beautiful small town in Lebanon. Not only for the [...]
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Walnut and chili dip (Muhammara)

Originally served alongside kibbe balls, now muhammara is served as a dip or part of a mezze, with some toasted bread. I think it is originally from Aleppo, Syria. In any case, like hummos, it is a very personal and subtle combination of flavors and spices and you will no doubt come up with your [...]
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Mayrig (Armenian restaurant)

Mayrig means “little mother” in Armenian. It is also the name of a fabulous restaurant in the neighborhood of Gemmayze in Beirut. Tucked away on Pasteur Street, inside a small courtyard, the authentic Armenian restaurant is housed in a magnificent old house, with stained-glass windows and painted concrete floor tiles and cut stone walls. This [...]
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