How would you get around a city if the streets had no signs? If nobody paid any attention to turn signals or traffic lights?
I am getting used to rolling down my window and stretching my left arm when I want to turn left. The one advice I keep hearing is” Be bold, this is the only way to survive driving in this town”.
Tonight, I was picking up a friend and called her asking for directions; she said: ” Drive 200 meters and you will see an army tank, turn left and take the street in front of the Epi d’Or bakery, next to the Hamasny nut roaster, then go up 300 meters and turn right in front of the red house, then go down towards the torn down gas station, you will see my street, except it is a one-way ”
I found the tank, unfortunately there were several army tanks in her neighborhood and so it was the wrong tank. I did see a red house, but it was also the wrong house, the shade of red of the house she had in mind was more a burgundy; I finally stopped the car in the middle of a street, next to a market she knew, and she came and met me.
During Ramadan, nourishing drinks are on display in the front shelves of every market in town. This one has a light and sweet flavor and of course munching on the pine nuts while drinking it is part of the pleasure.
METHOD:
Pour three tablespoons of grenadine syrup in a 12 ounces glass ( or substitute pomegranate juice); add water and a teaspoon of rose water. Stir. Add some pine nuts (previously soaked in water for one hour or longer). Serve.
NOTE: If using pomegranate juice, I recommend squeezing a couple of juicy pomegranates (the way you would an orange) and adding some sugar or sugar syrup to sweeten it well.
30 Comments
Thanks Joumana for another refreshing drink! Btw, I tried to make jallab from scratch, soaking 1c dark raisins & a couple dates in 2c water overnight, blended them vigorously then strained them. It tasted great, w/ a few drops of mawared, pine nuts and crushed ice, but, frankly, not worth the time. Any one knows (for certain) of a commercial jallab syrop that doesn’t contain artificial color and High Fructose Corn Syrop (HFCS)? “All Natural” on the label doesn’t mean free of HFCS.
That is a very interesting drink! Surely divine. That combination (nuts & drink) is so unique.
Cheers,
Rosa
déjà visuellement c’est très joli!! au bouche ça doit être délicieux avec le croustillant des pignons!! merci Joumana! bises!
This is very unusual but interesting. My sister lived in India for years so I imagine it to be similar. Impossible if you don’t speak the language!
Can’t get over the color..really wonderful!!
US Masala
Oh I have some grenadine syrup in my cupboard, I can instantly make it now. YUM!
Nuts in drinks seems like a theme – and must be a good idea in the heat. Beautiful.
Valerie
This is a stunning drink that really screams fall,and makes a flavorful and dramatic presentation. I like how you give the pine nuts a bath in pomegranate juice, Joumana it’s company worthy, wine drinkers pull up a chair, and enjoy this cool and refreshing drink. Pomegranate juice contains the highest antioxidant capacity compared to other juices, it reduces arterial plaque, and fights cancer.
That’s a very interesting drink! Looks awesome! I never tried pine nuts directly into a drink but I bet it is heavenly delicious!
@Mod: I have seen a recipe for jellab but it always includes bakhour (incense); I know a lady in the Ehden area (naem Lian Sarkis) who makes all kinds of syrups and can ask her next time I see her if she makes it; she uses all natural products and is building up her business to include labels and certifications and organic guidelines. I may still have her number, I will give her a call or see her next saturday at the souk.
A good idea to use the grenade. In my blog I have also put some recipes using pomegranates.
Oh I am so adding pine nuts to my next glass of pomegranate juice!
One of my friends went to Japan a few years back and he said the situation is very similar…no street signs and all directions are given by visual cues. Sounds crazy!
I love the pretty rosy color of this drink. It must be delicious with the nuts for a little crunch!
Beautiful drink..
I always wondered how people made it (without eating) until sundown during Ramadan, and now I see how it’s done! I bet this is full of nutrition and would give you enough energy to make it through the day. How interesting to learn from you!
This looks awesome! I have a friend who always says that she’ll marry pine nuts if given half a chance. I’m definitely going to forward her this recipe.
I have never seen anything like this before…it looks grand!
Thats a beautiful drink!
Parfums subtils comme je les aime… frais et doux aussi ! associé à cette petite couronne pistachée… un délice amitiés…
Woww wat a beautiful and vibrant drink..
Fabulous and unique drink. I could imagine how yummy it tastes. The pistachio shortbread also look wonderful!!!
Thank you for sharing these delicious recipes.
I can’t wait to make this as I love pomegranate and rosewater.. together with the pine nuts… what a great idea!!!! You never cease to amaze me with your exotic dishes!
This looks and sounds so refreshing. I have a quick question for you. I have a bottle of pomegranate syrup which I bought to cook with lamb, would this be the same as your grenadine? (It’s a dark brown colour. Quite gloopy and very sour!)
@Rachel: it depends: did you get some pomegranate molasses? if it tastes sour, then no. The syrup I am referring to is very sweet and specifically made for drinks and not cooking; I would substitute pomegranate juice if you can’t find this syrup. I would simply taste it first: an option would be to make a syrup with say 1/2 cup of sugar and 1 cup of water, boil for 10 minutes, mix it with your pomegranate syrup, taste, add some rose water, and voilà!
Ca a l’air très rafraîchissant et c’est très agréable à regarder !
Oh wow, this drink just looks amazing. I have never thought to add pinenuts to any drink I make, I cannot wait to try this refreshing sounding recipe.
Another amusing story! Where are the Lebanese pine nuts from? I was just in New Mexico and they grow them there, but there are really only a handful of places they grow them, and now I am very curious. Are they from the Middle East?
@Adair: my dear friend, I can tell you that Lebanese pine nuts are from Lebanese pine trees; I have spent many a summer as a kid gathering them and shelling them and eating them; their taste is so delicious and totally different than the ones imported from China, which is what is mostly available in the US.
Hmmmm…I don’t think I’ve ever had something crunchy to eat served inside of a drink, it sounds very interesting. I do love all the ingredients of this drink, so I think I’ll need to give this drink that you eat a try. – S
The driving and the direction sounds exactly like it is in India
This drink sounds so RIGHT! I have POM juice and rose water too. What a fabulous summer cooler.