ISRAEL
Popular Place
One of Israel's popular (and religious) places is the Western Wall. It is a holy place where the Jews do their prayers. It was a divider between Zion and Arab territories. Now, many rabbis and other Jews go there to cite their prayers. Today, some people see it as the holy border between Israel and Gaza (Palestine). |
Popular Recipes
Hummus- a mashed chickpea spread, hummus can be served in many ways and is a staple in the Israeli households.
Ingredients:
Source: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/26921/real-hummus/
Shwarma- grilled lamb or other meat that is then sliced or "shaved", often enjoyed in pita or laffa bread.
Ingredients:
Source: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/52407/chicken-shawarma/
Hummus- a mashed chickpea spread, hummus can be served in many ways and is a staple in the Israeli households.
Ingredients:
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 (19 ounce) can garbanzo beans, half the liquid reserved
- 4 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons tahini
- 1 clove garlic, chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
- black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- In a blender, chop the garlic. Pour garbanzo beans into blender, reserving about a tablespoon for garnish. Place lemon juice, tahini, chopped garlic and salt in blender. Blend until creamy and well mixed.
- Transfer the mixture to a medium serving bowl. Sprinkle with pepper and pour olive oil over the top. Garnish with reserved garbanzo beans.
Source: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/26921/real-hummus/
Shwarma- grilled lamb or other meat that is then sliced or "shaved", often enjoyed in pita or laffa bread.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup malt vinegar
- 1/4 cup plain yogurt
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon mixed spice
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground cardamom
- 8 skinless, boneless chicken thighs
- 1/2 cup tahini
- 1/4 cup plain yogurt
- 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- salt and pepper to taste
- 4 medium tomatoes, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup sliced onion
- 4 cups shredded lettuce
- 8 pita bread rounds
- In a glass baking dish, mix together the malt vinegar, 1/4 cup yogurt, vegetable oil, mixed spice, cardamom, salt and pepper. Place the chicken thighs into the mixture and turn to coat. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). In a small bowl, mix together the tahini, 1/4 cup yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and parsley. Season with salt and pepper, taste, and adjust flavors if desired. Cover and refrigerate.
- Cover the chicken and bake in the marinade for 30 minutes, turning once. Uncover, and cook for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, or until chicken is browned and cooked through. Remove from the dish, and cut into slices.
- Place sliced chicken, tomato, onion, and lettuce onto pita breads. Roll up, and top with the tahini sauce.
Source: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/52407/chicken-shawarma/
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES / UAE
Popular Place
Dubai is one of the greatest places in the Middle East. Home of the world's tallest building, it is also a place of Luxury and a good starting point for your careers. Many foreign workers, especially those from our country, the Philippines, go there for service and to earn high wages for their families and for their homelands. |
Popular Recipes
Falafel- A deep fried patty ball usually served with pita bread and sauce
Ingredients:
Sauce:
Kebab - Middle Eastern BBQ.
Ingredients:
Falafel- A deep fried patty ball usually served with pita bread and sauce
Ingredients:
Sauce:
- 1 (6 ounce) container plain yogurt
- 1/2 cucumber - peeled, seeded, and finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried dill weed
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon mayonnaise (optional)
- 1 (15 ounce) can chickpeas (garbanzo beans), drained
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 egg
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 dash pepper
- 1 pinch cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup dry bread crumbs
- oil for frying
- 2 pita breads, cut in half (optional)
- 1 cup chopped tomatoes (optional)
- In a small bowl combine yogurt, cucumber, dill, salt, pepper and mayonnaise and mix well. Chill for at least 30 minutes.
- In a large bowl mash chickpeas until thick and pasty; don't use a blender, as the consistency will be too thin. In a blender, process onion, parsley and garlic until smooth. Stir into mashed chickpeas.
- In a small bowl combine egg, cumin, coriander, salt, pepper, cayenne, lemon juice and baking powder. Stir into chickpea mixture along with olive oil. Slowly add bread crumbs until mixture is not sticky but will hold together; add more or less bread crumbs, as needed. Form 8 balls and then flatten into patties.
- Heat 1 inch of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry patties in hot oil until brown on both sides. Serve two falafels in each pita half topped with chopped tomatoes and cucumber sauce.
Kebab - Middle Eastern BBQ.
Ingredients:
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 pound ground lamb
- 3 tablespoons grated onion
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 28 bamboo skewers, soaked in water for 30 minutes
- Mash the garlic into a paste with the salt using a mortar and pestle or the flat side of a chef's knife on your cutting board. Mix the garlic into the lamb along with the onion, parsley, coriander, cumin, cinnamon, allspice, cayenne pepper, ginger, and pepper in a mixing bowl until well blended. Form the mixture into 28 balls. Form each ball around the tip of a skewer, flattening into a 2 inch oval; repeat with the remaining skewers. Place the kebabs onto a baking sheet, cover, and refrigerate at least 30 minutes, or up to 12 hours.
- Preheat an outdoor grill for medium heat, and lightly oil grate.
- Cook the skewers on the preheated grill, turning occasionally, until the lamb has cooked to your desired degree of doneness, about 6 minutes for medium.