Tag Archives: tomatoes

Pasta a la gypsy

This crop of eggplants just won’t quit. A pasta dish was in order. This one was inspired by a recipe in an  ELLE cookbook  for an eggplant gratin called la Bohémienne (the gypsy). The recipe called for eggplants, tomatoes, onions and anchovies. Add whole-wheat penne in the mix and you’ve got dinner covered. INGREDIENTS: 4 [...]
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Bulgur and tomato pilaf (Burghul bel-banadoora)

There are still juicy, red tomatoes to be found in neighborhood markets in Beirut these days; this dish uses up a lot of tomatoes, the last of the season. The bulgur  drinks up the tomato juice while cooking and develops a mild, tomato taste and a silky texture. Some people add diced green peppers to [...]
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Eggs poached in tomato sauce (Bayd bel-banadoora)

 Proof that simple is best. Eggs are poached in a tomato sauce made with lots of onions, ripe tomatoes and some garlic; scooped up with pita bread. A mouthwatering luncheon or brunch item from the Lebanese rural cuisine. INGREDIENTS:  8 eggs, size small (depending on the size of the tomatoes) 2 large onions, chopped 4 [...]
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Eggplant stew (Mussaka)

A traditional vegan eggplant stew, this one is made with winter eggplants (which have very few seeds). In addition, the eggplants slices were merely roasted with a dab of oil, instead of fried as is the tradition. I am happy to report that foregoing the frying does not  take away the flavor; the mussaka (aka [...]
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Tomato croustade

A simple tart in which the flavor of the tomatoes  really pop. The key is to have a buttery and very crisp crust, which contrasts with the soft texture and intensified flavor of the tomatoes. Rub the crust  with a good mustard prior to baking, drizzle the croustade with a bit of olive oil and [...]
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