Monthly Archives: July 2010

Fig balls

In the summer when we trade the noise of Beirut for mountain noise, here is what we get: A  rooster announcing  his activity  several times during the day  starting at 5 AM; coyotes howling plaintively  in the valley at 11 PM nightly; daily fireworks for reasons ranging from the latest soccer game to a  feast [...]
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Rice pudding West Bekaa-style (Muazzabeh)

Geraniums are very popular in Lebanon; even the most modest home will adorn its doorsteps or balcony with a pot filled with these cheerful flowers; as a kid, I would  secretly pluck  the petals of our potted geraniums with a girlfriend: the idea was to blot  them onto  our 10-year-old lips hoping to wear that [...]
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Wild Zaatar salad

Wild zaatar, aka zaatar barrey or wild, is a variety of zaatar (oregano) found on the Lebanese countryside; not to be confused with the zaatar mix sold in stores as a dry spice mixture; this zaatar is  eaten with chopped onions and olive oil as a mezze item; pungent and velvety-textured,  it is very popular; [...]
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