Monthly Archives: June 2010

Lunch with a writer/archaelogist in Beirut

When Fadi Stephan invited me to lunch, I did not know what to expect; I had read his wonderful  book Le Berceau du Monde (tr: cradle of the world, to be translated at UT Austin), knew that he had taught archaelogy and semitic languages, knew of his family, but that was the  extent of it. What [...]
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Yogurt and Purslane salad (Ayran w Bakleh)

This was one of the dishes on the buffet at Tawlet; it is a rural dish from the North; very nourishing, as purslane is supposed to be the most nutritious green ever (even though it is a weed); the US Department of agriculture had plans to encourage its cultivation in every empty lot in America, [...]
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Garbanzo bean plate (Hummos Baleela)

This is a very simple dish that is  found on a mezze table; it is so simple yet once you taste it, you will become totally enamored with it. It is garbanzo beans, cooked to death until they are soft, swimming in a broth of olive oil, lemon juice and a dash of garlic, sprinkled [...]
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