Enjoy the previous salad? You surely will not just satisfy with this lighit delicious side dish. So, are you ready to level up and learn something more advanced recipes with raisins? The most traditional dish with a very long long history that I like is Pilaf. In fact, the word “pilaf” is originated in Turkey while pilaf recipes were developed in Iran, Central Asia and Turkey. There are a lot of cooking variation in Pilaf as it includes many ingredients with the rice including carrots, raisins, peas, potatoes, lamb or beef.

Ok…so ready to get started now!

Pilaf Recipe

Ingredients:

1 cup long-grained rice

1 tbsp olive oil

1/2 yellow diced onion

1.5 peeled and diced carrot

1 tbsp crushed garlic

2 cups chicken broth

1/4 tsp cinnamon

1/4 cup raisins

1/4 cup toasted, slivered almonds

Instructions:

1. Saute the onion, carrots and garlic in the olive oil until they become softened.
2. Add the rice and continue cooking for approximately 2 minutes
3. Add the broth and cinnamon and bring the mixture to a boil
4. Stir well and lower heat, allow the mixture to simmer for 15 – 20 minutes until the broth is absorbed
5. Finally, don’t forget to stir in the raisins and almonds before serving.

Today I am going to teach you guys a very simple but traditional Middle East appetizer / side dish called carrot raisin salad. Easy to prepare as both carrots and raisins have long growing seasons.

Carrot Raisin Salad Recipe

Servings: 3

Ingredients:

1.5 cups of carrots, grated

1/5 cup raisins

1.5 tbsp olive oil

1/8 cup strained yogurt

1/8 cup slivered, toasted almonds

 Directions:

1. Combine the carrots and raisins in a medium sized bowl
2. Stir in the yogurt and olive oil and mix well
3. Add the almonds and refrigerate for 2 hours before serving

That’s it! Bon appetite~

If you are observable enough, you will find out that there are really a lor Middle East dishes contain raisins. Why? The fact is for many of the countries in Middle East, grape vines grows everywhere, and most importantly, no part of the plant gets wasted including its leaves and fruits.

Therefore, in order to create authentic Middle Eastern food at home, I highly recommend to add raisins in the dish, not only it can help add sweetness and flavour, it can also help bring the taste of the Middle East to foods of all kind.

Lamb is popular in the middle eastern cuisine. Normally middle easterners serve lamb in rice with mint & yogurt sauce. I, however, served it with baguette and mango chutney. It tastedexcellent.

 Ingredients:
Lamb chops 4 pieces (about 3/4″ thick)
handful of mints for garnish
Stir fried vegetable
Sourdough bread (such as baguette) or rice if desired.

Procedures

1. Prepare seasoning rub for Lamb Chop by grinding 1 tsp Cumin seeds and 1 tsp Coriander seeds roughly. Then add 1 tsp salt, combine 1 tsp soy sauce and 1 tsp oil. Finally rub mixture onto both side of the chops and marinate it for an hour or more.
2. Heat up the grill.
3. Place chops on hot grill into oven until golden brown on both sides for medium doneness.
4. Spoon mango chutney on the side, garnish with mints or parsley.
5. Serve hot with vegetable, rice and/or bread.

Venus cocktail

All ingredients are fresh fruit juice only. However if you would like to have a dizzy feeling, alcohol could be also added.

Type of dish : Nibbles
To serve : 2
Preparation : 0 min
Cooking : 0 min
Budget : Cheap
Difficulty : Easy
  
 Ingredients :
150ml apricot juice
150ml peach nectar (peach juice)
250 ml crushed strawberries
5 drops orange flower water  (the essence of Middle East)
 
Recipe :
1. Mix all ingredients in a blender and serve chilled.

2. Decorate with lemon slice and some little flowers.

 Advice :
This cocktail will stimulate desire?!?! Y

You have been warned! =P

Marjoram

It is often confused with oregano. However, marjoram is actually a member of the mint family as well. Marjoram has a more mild, sweet flavor than oregano. Common to Middle Eastern foods, marjoram is grown domestically and imported mostly from Egypt.

Dried marjoram is a natural fragrance and it combines well with other seasonings and will enhance so many different dishes. It is especially good along with other herbs in beef stew.

Nutmeg

Nutmeg is a kind of seeds with oval shape, that have a sweet, spicy flavour. They come from East Indies and since they have a quite high oil content and and a very rich aroma, nutmeg are commonly used in  dishes made with milk and cheese, such as rice pudding, béchamel sauce and whipped cream.

Turmeric

Originated in South Asia, turmeric, a member of the Ginger family, has been now widely used in Middle East due to its special deep yellow-orange colour. They are usually grinded into powder as a major ingredient in curry powder and is also used to color sauces and syrups and rices and to flavor meat and vegetable dishes.

 Sumac

Sumac is a member of the Cashew family. It produces bright or dark-red berries or drupes. In the Middle East, the drupes are harvested, ground, and used as a spice. This purple-reddish powder has a sour taste and is used to flavor rice dishes and stews. Sumac berries are cooked in water until they reduce to a thick, sour essence which also serve as the same purpose for flavoring meat and vegetable dishes.

 Five-Spice Powder

Five-spice powder is a spice mixture that originated in China that integrates the sweet, sour, bitter, pungent, and salty. The powder is most often used in cooking duck and beef stew.

Herbs and spices are very much important i adding more flavor and depth to a Middle Eastern meal. Each herb and spice has unique effect that work well in the culinary world. Here introduce the usage of some of the major herbs and spices before moving on.

 As a Middle Eastern food lover, how could we do not know anything about the table manners when having this cuisine? It is all about respect other countries and yourself. Therefore, make sure you remember all the dos and don’ts below.

•  Guests are honoured with prime choice of meats. Don’t get too excited since the definition of “prime choice” may be cultural variation. They are head, eyes or even some internal organs. Well, if I were you, please accept them as a big smile.

•  Eat with right hand only. Especially if you are invited by a Saudi for a meal, you should never eat with your left hand since it is considered unsanitary.

• How to eat without utensils? Food is shaped into a desired amount bolus with all the  fingers of your right hand and then use your thumb to push it into your mouth. Just one reminder, make sure your hand is clean.

• You should always remember to try every single dish offered to you on the table. And most importantly, no matter what the fact is, it is proper etiquette to compliment the host on the food and his hospitality.

• Meals are usually served in large portion, so make sure you have a good appetite! Since eating large quantities is a mark of showing your appreciation. Besides, if you have finished all the food, don’t be happy as they will re-fill your plate immediately! So, it is better to leave food on your plate always.

• Last but not least, alcohol is NOT allowed under Islamic law, and for this reason many Saudis will not drink. But still, friendly Saudi hosts may accommodate guests with alcoholic beverages. However, just a kind reminder, make sure you drink very fairly since Becoming drunk and behaving outrageously will be considered as totally offensive, and may result in harsh punishment.

The many regions of Middle East contribute to a rich culinary tradition that is one of the most popular in the world – from the colourful herbal dishes of Egypt, through the wholesome Saudi Arabia dishes, along with the nations of Afghanistan, Kuwait, Yemen, Armenia and others. Each region has its own speciality, based on the use of fresh, local ingredients to create hearty, flavourful dishes. Aromatic herbs, cured meats and sausages, and a wide range of vegetables, combine to create a national cuisine rich in variety and character.

Whether you are planning a quick snack or an elborate dinner, this blog will allow you to feel and recreate authentic flavours of Middle East in your own home.

Enjoy. =)