Buon Appetito

Bean Salad Chie Sonia

Ingredients

• 1 can Northern beans drained
• 1 can red beans drained
• 1 can black beans drained
• 1 large red onion slices thin
• 1 close garlic mashed
• Pepper to taste
• Pinch of Cayenne
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 4 lemons squeezed
• -or- 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1 large beef tomato (optional)

Directions

1- Rinse all the beans together and set in colander to get rid of excess water.
2- Place onions, garlic, pepper, olive oil, Cayenne, and lemons in a stainless dish bowl and set aside for 10 minutes.
3- Add drained beans.
4- Mix thoroughly.
5- Set aside for at least an hour. Will taste better.


This meal will offer you protein and a true delicious taste. This meal can also be served over rice or just with bread.

Bel Hanna Wel Sheffa.

Egyptian Moussaka

This is considered a poor man’s food. It is vegetarian and could even be Vegan if the cream is not added on the top for baking.

It takes a little doing with the frying and all but well worth the effort for the taste.

Enjoy!

Ingredients:

• 2 large eggplants
• 1 large onion sliced thin
• 4 cloves garlic (mashed)
• 2 large cans tomato puree
• 2 inches Vegetable or olive oil in frying pan
• Salt and pepper to taste.

Directions:

1. Peel and slice eggplants half an inch thickness.
2. Salt and set aside in a sieve for 10 minutes.
3. Squeeze all the water out of the eggplant slices a few at a time and fry lightly in a shallow pan in vegetable oil.
4. Drain on paper towels.
5. Heat 4 Tbsp of vegetable oil in a frying pan.  Add onions, garlic, salt and pepper to taste.
6. Brown to a golden brown then add tomato puree.
7. Simmer covered for 10 minutes.
8. In a 9 X 12 pan, layer fried eggplant and sauce.
9. Cover with Beshamel gravy.
10. Bake in 350 degree oven till top is golden brown.
11. Serve over rice when hot.
12. Eat with pita or flat bread cold.

Bel Hanna Wel Sheffa!

An old Italian favorite. In the Middle East we made it with Fennel seeds. Excellent! Substitute if you wish for a different taste.

Ingredients

• 1 or 1tsp package dry yeast
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1/2 cup warm water (110 degrees)
• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2-3 teaspoons black pepper
• 1/2 cup olive oil

Directions

1. Dissolve yeast in water with sugar.
2. Add salt and pepper to flour in a bowl.
3. Make well in center, add yeast and oil.
4. Blend gradually mixing into flour.
5. The dough must be stiff.
6. Knead 10 minutes.
7. Place in oiled bowl, turn to coat with oil, cover with towel, let rise until doubled in bulk.
8. Preheat oven to 375º.
9. Pinch small pieces of dough rolling into ropes about 6 inches long.
10. Form a ring  pinching edges together.
11. Put on baking sheet let rise 20 minutes.
12. Brush with oil and bake 12 to 15 minutes or until lightly browned.

Beet Salad Chie Sonia with Burghul

Beets are not a favorite food for many people but try this recipe and see what you think. Write me back if you like it. I would love to hear from you.

If you wish to try fresh beets, then cut off the leaves and keep short stem. Do not bruise skin. Boil then remove skin when it cools.

Ingredients:

• 2 cans Beets sliced
• 1 tb   Sugar
• 1  Juice Fresh Lemon or lime
• 1 Tbsp Olive oil
• 1 lg   Pinch of cinnamon
• 1 tb   Chopped parsley
• 4 Tbsp Fine burghul
• Salt to taste

Directions:

• Soak burghul in warm water till it expands.
• Press in hands removing all water.
• Place in a bowl.
• Open cans of beets.
• Drain liquid and discard.
• Add beets to burghul.
• Mix the remaining ingredients and pour over the beets and burghul.
• Toss and set to marinate.
• Let marinate for at least an hour before serving.

Bel Hanna Wel Sheffa!

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/fbx/?set=a.374277228201.156782.557213201

Our eyes eat before our palates have a chance. If your presentation is not attractive, the food will not be given a chance for enjoyment.

Two years ago I was hired by a friend to cater his birthday. No matter what I spent, it would never have been as expensive as it would have been for him to take his friends out. This was the result.

With the help of some decorative props and an eyes for color, this is what we achieved that day.

Bel Hanna Wel Sheffa!