A very small restaurant opened near our house; it has only outdoor seating: wooden tables, benches, umbrellas and a hedge of huge sunflowers; it serves country-style dishes in clay ramekins. Basic, mountain-style food that villagers and farmers used to eat before the big migration to the city depleted the mountains of its inhabitants.
I thought “these people are nuts, nobody wants to eat these ultra-simple things”.
I was wrong! This joint has now quite a steady and faithful clientele eager to eat eggs with awarma (a lamb confit) or potatoes or tomatoes or just labneh with garlic and mint! Nothing fancy, just solid, simple food.
INGREDIENTS:
- Eggs
- Heirloom tomatoes or jabaliyeh
- Olive oil, as needed
- Garlic, mashed with a bit of salt (as needed)
- Sumac, added to the garlic (about 1 teaspoon for 2 eggs)
- flatbread like markook
METHOD:
- Heat a generous amount of olive oil in the skillet; add the tomato slice and flip it around after 30 seconds; lift it up, dab in a paper towel and set aside.
- Fry the eggs in the olive oil; after one minute, add the mashed garlic and sumac; place on the tomato slice and serve with flatbread or markook.
NOTE: Sumac is a spice used a lot in Lebanon; traditionally it was used in the mountains when lemons were not in season as it is sour and lemony-tasting.
28 Comments
Delicious for sunday brunch too.
Ah, I read this and my heart skipped a beat. Last night a friend brought over the most delicious tomatoes from his garden. That, coupled with the fact that I’ve been craving eggs lately, makes me sure that you must have read my mind.
I really like sumac! That is a healthy dish. Yummy looking.
Cheers,
Rosa
hmmm i just bought some beautiful heirloom tomatoes and have eggs and sumac handy! looks like i’ll have that for lunch today!
Lebanese food is my first love (thats another story that I have too many first loves, but whats wrong with that if they can all accomodate well in my heart (read : belly)).
I’m sure I’m making this for Sihor today. And Oh! look at your skillet. I’m staring at it. I want that kind of skillet. NOW!
I love Libanese food, always look nice! and specially this! gloria
I love sumac… good and simple is best sometimes…that bread is beautiful!
Ohhh, I wish I had a place like this near me.
While I love gourmet dishes as much as anyone, I adore simple, homey foods too. 
Oh, this dish is really, really appealing to me. I guess if I was feeling lazy (which is often!), I would definitely go to a restaurant that served this! =D
I made fattoush over the weekend and used sumac for the first time – we LOVED it. I’m glad for this recipe cause I now have other options to use it
O. MY. GOD.
This looks SO INCREDIBLY DELICIOUS
my mouth is watering I have got to make this!!!
We must be in a parallel universe because I just bought sunflowers and a bunch of heirlooms at the farmer’s market this morning. This sounds like a nice brunch dish, served with some hummus and olives.
That is so simple and looks so tasty. I am always looking for ways to use sumac. I might have to buy a tomato and have that for one of my weekend meals.
I love the flavor of sumac but have never thought to pair it with eggs. How fun! And since I’m a sucker for anything rustic, especially when served in a clay dish, this little restaurant sounds awesome to me!
Lovely photos:) I’ll have to by sumac finally, it is quitte unknown spice around here (i have never tasted it).
Simplicity is the best…..
Easy and yummy looking dish…
This sounds wonderful – the place and the food. I hope you are having a great day. Blessings…Mary
I have to find those flat breads…ideas are already brewing ;o)
Basic rustic food in the mountains is one of my favourite outings.
Ciao for now,
Claudia
Love love love sumac, and how tasty and simple this meal is, cannot wait to try it. By the way, my hubby is in love with the batata bel-tarator and has requested it for his birthday tomorrow.
gorgeous! fresh and simple ingredients always yield the best dishes.
i love the subtle sumac here–great dish, for any meal!
Simple food is right up my alley–I love this. To me, this is a complete meal. I love sumac. Gosh, this would be perfect for breakfast now.
With all the beautiful tomatoes about to be harvested from my garden, I’m sure to be trying this dish soon….sounds simple, but fabulous! – S
J’ai ramene beaucoup de sumac de Turquie mais je ne sais pas toujours ou m’en servir… voila une idee !
Bonne fin de mois d’aout !
sounds like a great use of sumac – I have never had it with eggs and I bet the sweet tomato compliments it nicely.
I would be among their loyal clientele, I can promise you that!
J’aime beaucoup tout ces jolis reportages que tu partages avec du nous, en direct du Liban ! Et pour le plat de ce billet, simple et bon ! J’aime !