Baba Ganush:
Ingredients
· 1 head of garlic
1 Tbsp. plus 1 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for serving
Kosher salt T.T
Freshly ground black pepper T.T
4 medium eggplants
½ cup fresh lemon juice
1 cup tahini
3 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley
Mayo ½ cup
Olive oil 60 ml
Toasted pita
Pomegranate 1
1. Place the garlic head, cut side up, on a sheet of foil, drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Gather the foil together in a bundle and twist together to seal.
2. On to the eggplant. Prick the eggplants all over with a fork to create steam vents; we do not want an eggplant explosion.
3. Line a large baking sheet with foil (for easy clean-up) and place the garlic head and eggplants on the baking sheet. Transfer the baking sheet to the oven and broil, turning the eggplants occasionally with tongs, until the eggplants are blackened outside and extremely tender inside. This should take 30 to 35 minutes, but there is a wide variance in broiler power, so start checking early but keep in mind that undercooking is the only no-no—you want to overcook the eggplant. Test for doneness by inserting a paring knife into the center. If it meets with any resistance, keep on broiling.
4. Once the eggplant is charred and has collapsed into pudding, let it cool for 10 minutes before splitting it open and scooping the flesh into a colander; discard the skin—its work is done. Let the eggplant drain for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. At that point, scrape the flesh into a large bowl, squeeze in the roasted garlic cloves, and add the lemon juice. Using a fork, mash it all together until it’s one homogeneous mass. Add the tahini and 1 Tbsp. olive oil and grate in 1 garlic clove (feel free to skip the grated garlic if you prefer a slightly sweeter dip); stir to combine. Season with salt to taste.
5. You’re almost there. All that remains is to transfer the baba ghanoush to a serving bowl, drizzle with oil, and garnish with parsley and pomegranate. Serve with pita and/or sliced vegetables for dipping.
Abdoogh Khiar
· 2 1/2 cups plain yogurt
· 6 cups cold water
· 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
· 4 teaspoons dried mint
· 4 Persian cucumbers, diced
· 1/2 cup raisins
· 1 cup chopped walnut
· 1 1/2 cup chopped herbs, mint, parsley, dill and basil
· 2 teaspoons powdered Persian dried rose petals, optional
· Ice, optional
· 4 lavash bread
1. Reserve 1 cup of the yogurt and mix the rest with the 1 tsp salt, 2 tsp dried mint and water (Use a whisk if needed). Set aside.
2. Mix the remaining yogurt, salt and dried mint with cucumbers, raisins, walnut and herbs. Add in the yogurt and water mix to and stir to combine. Add in the rose petals if using.
3. Divide the cold soup among large serving bowls and add ice if the soup is not cold enough.
4. Break in the lavash into each bowl, let it soak for a few minutes and then enjoy.
Malabi:
Ingredients
For the Pudding:
3L whole milk (2% milk is also fine), divided
270 g cornstarch
75 ml tablespoon rose water
1 1/2 cup sugar
For the strawberry Rose Syrup
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
1 clamshell seedless strawberry puree
60 ml rose water
chopped or crushed pistachios with peanuts shredded coconut
1. In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup of the milk with the cornstarch and rose water. Mix well with a fork or clean fingers, until the mixture is smooth and lump-free. (The cornstarch may be hard to stir at first, but will loosen as you mix.) Set aside.
2. In a medium saucepan, combine the remaining 2 1/2 cups of milk with the sugar. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until the sugar dissolves.
3. When bubbles begin to break the surface, reduce the heat to low. Give the cornstarch mixture a stir, and add it to the simmering milk, stirring constantly.
4. Cook the pudding at a gentle simmer, stirring very frequently, until it thickens enough to coat the back of the spoon, about 5 to 7 minutes. (If you're not stirring constantly, try not to scrape the bottom of the pan, or you may end up with lumps in your pudding.)
5. Pour or spoon the malabi into 6 to 8 serving dishes. Allow to cool slightly, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 3 hours (the pudding will firm up as it cools).
For the syrup:
1. While the pudding chills, make the syrup: In a small saucepan, combine the sugar, water, and jam. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar and incorporate the puree
2. When the mixture is smooth, remove from the heat, and stir in the rose water. Transfer to a dish and refrigerate until ready to serve.
3. To serve the malabi, spoon a little syrup over the top, and garnish with slivered or chopped nuts or coconut if desired.
Lamb marinate:
Fennel fresh 1 minced
Mint chopped 60 ml
Garlic minced 3 tbsp
Rosemary chopped 60 ml
Thyme chopped 60 ml
Dijon 100 ml
Salt T.T
Pepper T.T
Oregano T.T
Yogurt 150 ml
Crust:
Romano cheese 500g
Thyme 20g
Rosemary 20g
Fennel seeds 10g
Mint 2 bunches
Penko 1 pack
Salt TT
Pepper TT
Olive oil A.N
Blend all together and set aside
1)Trim and score lamb
2)marinate the lamb with the yogurt mixture and dry ingredients and garlic
3)sear the lamb until golden brown all sides
4)brush lamb with Dijon and coat evenly In the herb mixture.
5)place into the oven at 360 for 8-13 min or to desired donees slice and serve.
Purée and veg
1)Wash and cut cauliflower
2)Boil in milk with butter and seasoning for 10 min
3)strain the liquid and preserve the liquid
4)place in blender the cauliflower with butter warm milk and seasoning
Grilled Vegetables
1. Season with salt pepper and garlic and olive oil
2. Charr the ve
Israeli couscous:
Ingredients
· 5 cup of chicken broth, heated until hot **You can also use vegetable broth for a vegetarian version.
· 5-7 tsp olive oil
· 1 bag of Israeli couscous
· Dash of crushed red pepper flakes
· 2 large cloves of garlic, minced
· 1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
· Salt pepper T.T
Instructions
1. Heat the chicken (or vegetable) broth in saucepan for 75 seconds, or until hot. Set aside.
2. Coat a large saucepan with olive oil. Once hot, add the Israeli couscous and cook, stirring occasionally, for 2-3 minutes. Add the crushed red pepper flakes and minced garlic then cook, stirring constantly, for 30 seconds.
3. Add the hot broth then season with sea salt and freshly cracked pepper, to taste. Cook for 12-15 minutes, until the broth has evaporated and the couscous has cooked through.
4. Add the freshly chopped parsley and mix until well combined. Pour into a serving dish and serve immediately. Enjoy.