These kefte-style meat skewers are generously seasoned with both fresh and dried chiles. Throw a few on the grill at your next barbecue and watch them disappear long before the burgers and dogs. We like to make hefty, quarter-pound patties, but smaller meatball-size kebabs are great for parties and game nights.
Spicy Beef Kebabs with Tzatziki
SERVES 4
Beef Kebabs
1 lb [455 g] ground beef or lamb, or a mixture
1 small onion, minced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced
1/4 cup [10 g] chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup [10 g] chopped fresh cilantro
1/4 cup [2 g] chopped fresh dill
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 tsp Urfa Biber pepper
1 egg, lightly beaten
2 Tbsp bread crumbs
Tzatziki
1 cucumber, unpeeled
1 cup [240 g] plain Greek yogurt, full or reduced fat
2 scallions, both white and green parts, thinly sliced
1 garlic clove, minced
2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley
2 Tbsp chopped fresh dill
1/2 tsp fine sea salt
1/2 tsp ground white pepper
Juice of 1/2 lemon or more
Warm pitas for serving
To make the beef kebabs: Put the meat in a large bowl and break up with your fingertips. Add the onion, garlic, jalapeño, parsley, cilantro, and dill and mix well with your hands. Sprinkle the paprika, salt, black pepper, and Urfa pepper evenly over the mixture and mix again. Add the egg and bread crumbs and mix one more time, being careful not to overwork the mixture. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm it up a bit.
Divide the mixture evenly into four portions. Press a metal skewer onto the top of one portion and form the meat around the skewer into a flattened football shape. Repeat with the three remaining portions of meat. Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes and up to 4 hours, covered with plastic. They should be chilled and firm when they go on the grill.
To make the tzatziki: Grate the cucumber using the coarse holes on a box grater. Wrap the shredded cucumber in a kitchen towel and twist to release the liquid. Scrape the shreds into a mixing bowl and add the yogurt, scallions, garlic, parsley, dill, salt, white pepper, and lemon juice. Mix with a fork until wellblended. Taste and add more lemon juice or salt as needed.
Make a hot fire in a grill or preheat a ridged grill pan over high heat. Grill the kebabs until well browned on one side, about 3 minutes, then carefully turn to grill the other side. Continue cooking until browned on the second side and cooked to your preference, about 4 or 5 minutes for medium. Transfer to a platter and serve with warm pitas and the tzatziki.
The Shanklish salad at Em Sherif Cafe Dubai
Cherry Chia Granola
MAKES ABOUT 6 1/2 CUPS [ 1 KG ]
2 3/4 cups [275 g] old-fashioned rolled (not quick) oats
1 cup [100 g] sliced natural almonds
1/2 cup [80 g] chia seeds
½ tsp fine sea salt
2 tsp almond extract
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup [170 g] honey
1/3 cup [80 ml] extra-virgin olive oil
1 1/2 cup [160 g] dried tart cherries or craisins
Preheat the oven to 350°F [180°C] and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, mix the oats with the almonds, chia seeds and sea salt.
In a smaller bowl, whisk together the extracts with the honey and oil. Pour over the oats and stir well to coat all the dry ingredients with the oil mixture.
Turn the granola onto the baking sheet and spread as thinly as possible. Bake for 10 minutes, then remove from the oven and stir and turn with a metal spatula. Spread out the granola again and return to the oven for 10 to 12 minutes longer, or until browned. Set aside to cool on the baking sheet until crisp.
Add the tart cherries. Toss well and transfer to airtight containers and use within 1 or 2 months.
]]>Mulled Wine
1 c pomegranate juice
3 cinnamon sticks
4 star aniseǻ
6 whole cardamon pods
6 whole cloves
1 blood orange sliced, thin peel and all
¼ c pomegranate molassas all natural
plus, two 750 ml bottles of red wine (such as)
Simmer all the ingredients for 10 minutes or until fragrant. Add yourmedium-bodied red wine. Warm and letthe flavors meld for ~1 hour. Gently reheat to serve. Garnish to your liking, pictured here with fresh citrus and cinnamon sticks.
Makes about 6 cups
2 3/4 cups [275g] old-fashioned rolled oats
1 cup [100g] sliced almonds
1/2 cup [80g] flax seeds
2 tsp herbs de Provence
1 tsp fine sea salt
1 tsp Urfa pepper
1/2 cup [170g] honey
1/3 cup [80 ml] extra virgin olive oil
1 cup [160g] diced dried apricots
1 cup [140g] pitted oil-cured olives, patted dry with paper towels*
Preheat the oven to 350F and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, mix the oats with the almonds, flax seeds, herbes de Provence, salt, and Urfa pepper. In a smaller bowl, whisk together the honey and oil. Pour over the oats and stir well to coat all the dry ingredients with the oil mixture.
Turn the granola onto the baking sheet and spread as thinly as possible. Bake for 10 minutes, then remove from the oven and stir and turn with a metal spatula. Spread out the granola again and return to the oven for 10 to 12 minutes longer, or until browned. Set aside to cool on the baking sheet until crisp.
Add the apricots and olives and mix well, leaving some bigger chunks. Transfer to airtight containers and use within 1 or 2 months.
*Be sure to pat the olives dry as thoroughly as possible, or they will make the granola soggy. If they are moist, add them to the granola mixture as it toasts for the last 5 minutes; this will dry them out a bit.
]]>Sharing great food with suppliers we have been buying from for years make these evenings lovely. They are long days but always worth it.
While in Dubai we had the luxury of an extra day or two to explore the area markets and eat in more restaurants.Observingthe food culture in theGulf Stateswas very different than in Lebanon, or Europe or the US. We ate in both formal and fast casual format restaurants and enjoyed them all. An extra bonus for us was that we have family there, and it was a wonderful opportunity to visit and enjoy a meal with them.
Dubai is over the top in architecture and design -- and the restaurantsare equallyambitious. We had so many memorable meals. Expect to see that inspiration in our new spring and summer cafe menus!
]]>Serves 4-6
6 large eggs
2 tbsp mayonnaise
2 tbsp plain Greek yogurt
2 tbsp dukkah, plus more for garnish
1.5 tsp Dijon mustard
Fine sea salt and freshly ground balck pepper
Aleppo pepper, for garnish
Put the eggs in a saucepan with water to cover and place over high heat. When the water just reaches a boil, remove from the heat and cover the pan. Let the eggs stand in the hot water for 15 minutes, drain and cover with cold water. When cool to touch, peel the eggs.
Halve the eggs lengthwise and scoop the yolks into a bowl. Add the mayonnaise, yogurt, dukkah, mustard, salt & pepper to taste, and mash with a fork until smooth. Fill the egg whites, mounding slightly. Garnish with extra dukkah and a sprinkle of Aleppo pepper. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
]]>Caroline's Boulevardier for Two
2oz
2 oz Pollinator Spirits
2 oz Standard Wormwood
Stir to combine and pour over ice to enjoy.
]]>This recipe is from the Nutty chapter of the award-winning Flavors of the Sun.
We are always happy to share recipes with customers who want to try their hand at our family favorites at home, but we love it even more when customers return the favor! This recipe is a variation on one that came to us from longtime patron Steve Marcus, who devised a hearty cauliflower side dish incorporating all his preferred Sahadi’s staples. It’s well-spiced and tangy, with a hint of sweetness from dried apricots, and a nice cold-weather option when there aren’t a lot of fresh green veggies to choose from.
SERVES 6 TO 8
1 head cauliflower
1/2 cup [120 ml] extra-virgin olive oil
2 Tbsp ’aٲ
1 tsp fine sea salt
1 tsp Aleppo pepper
1/4 cup [55 g] tahini
1/4 cup [60 g] plain Greek yogurt, full or low fat 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
1/2 tsp ground white pepper
1/4 cup [10 g] chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup [40 g] chopped Turkish apricots
Preheat the oven to 425°F [220°C].
Cut the cauliflower into 2 in [5 cm] florets and mound on a large rimmed baking sheet. Toss with 1⁄4 cup [60 ml] of the oil and the ’aٲ, 1⁄2 tsp of the salt, and the Aleppo pepper. Spread the cauliflower in a single layer and roast, turning once or twice as it cooks, until golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes.
While the cauliflower is roasting, whisk together the tahini, yogurt, remaining 1⁄4 cup [60 ml] of olive oil, and the lemon juice in a large bowl. Season with the remaining 1⁄2 tsp of salt and the white pepper. Add 2 Tbsp of water to thin to drizzling consistency, adding more by the tsp as needed.
Add the warm cauliflower and toss to coat with the dressing. Gently stir in the parsley and apricots to distribute evenly. Serve warm.
Apricot Hazelnut Multigrain Stuffing
1 stick butter
2 cups diced onions
2 cups diced celery
2 tsp. sage
2 tsp. thyme
Salt and pepper
3 cups turkey or chicken broth
2 eggs
1/4 cup chopped parsley
16 cups cubed stale multigrain bread
1 1/2 cups diced dried apricots
1 cup chopped roasted salted hazelnuts
Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions, celery, sage, thyme, salt and pepper. Cook for 5 minutes. Add turkey or chicken broth and bring to a simmer.
Beat eggs with chopped parsley in an extra large bowl. Add cubed bread to egg mixture and toss.Then, adddiced apricots and hazelnuts. Pour everything into the vegetable-broth mixture and toss. Transfer to a buttered baking dish and dot with butter. Cover and bake 30 minutes at 375 degrees F. Uncover and bake until golden, about 30 more minutes.
Moroccan Lamb Sheet Pan Dinner
Serves 4-6
1.25 - 1.5 lbs lamb cubes
1.5 lb butternut squash or pumpkin, peeled and chopped
1 lb peeled whole shallots
2-3 large whole garlic, top 1/4 cut off to expose cloves
1/2 cup xvoo
2 tbspRas El Hanout
1 tbsp Aleppo pepper
2 tsp sea salt
2 tsp fresh minced garlic
1 tbsp grated fresh ginger
1 cup chopped cilantro leaves
4-6 slices of sourdough bread
Place meat in a large bowl and squash in another bowl. Add whole shallots and whole garlic to squash.
In a quart container mix xvoo, Ras el hanout, Aleppo pepper, sea salt, minced garlic and ginger. Shake well until thoroughly mixed.
Pour 1/3 over meat. Cover and refrigerate 2-4 hours. Pour remaining 2/3 marinade over squash mixture and refrigerate 1-3 hours.
Heat oven to 475. Cover a sheet pan with heavy duty aluminum foil to facilitate clean up. Pour squash mixture, including marinade, onto sheet pan placing garlic around edges cut side up.
Roast on the top shelf of the oven for 15 minutes or until starting to brown and soften. Add thelambwith marinade and roast 10 minutes until all browned and tender. Remove from oven but leave oven on.
Let sheetpan sit for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, toast sourdough slices in the oven until browned.
Sprinkle sheet pan with cilantro. Serve hot, spreading sourdough bread with the roasted garlic and enjoy!
SERVES 6
1/4 cup [60 ml] plus 1 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1 tsp Aleppo pepper
1 tsp Urfa pepper
1 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 3/4 lb [800 g] zucchini or yellow summer squash, cut into diagonal slices
1 bunch scallions, white and green parts separated, sliced
1/4 cup [30 g] chopped red bell pepper
1/4 cup [30 g] chopped yellow or orange bell pepper
1/4 cup [10 g] chopped fresh parsley
1 Tbsp seeded and chopped jalapeño pepper
1 tsp chopped garlic
Preheat the broiler and line a broiler pan or baking sheet with foil. Or, if you're still grilling,get your coals prepped.
In a large bowl, stir together the 1⁄4 cup [60 ml] of oil and the Aleppo and Urfa peppers, 1 tsp of the salt, and the black pepper. Add the zucchini and stir to coat with the mixture, then stir in the white parts of the sliced scallions.Spread the zucchini slices on the prepared pan in a single layer and broil, turning them once, for about 5 minutes per side or until just browned and tender.
While the zucchini cooks, combine the bell peppers, parsley, jalapeño, garlic, and scallion greens. Season with the remaining 1⁄2 tsp of salt. Spoon the relish over the hot zucchini and serve warm or at room temperature.
]]>SERVES 6
1/2 cup [120 ml] plus 2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
11/2 cups [270 g] quinoa
2 cups [320 g] grape tomatoes, halved or quartered if large
2 Persian cucumbers, finely diced
3 cups [120 g] finely chopped fresh parsley, packed, plus more for garnish
1 1/2 cups [60 g] finely chopped fresh mint, packed, plus more for garnish
1 bunch scallions, both white and green parts, thinly sliced (about 1 1⁄2 cups)
1/2 cup [120 ml] fresh lemon juice
1 tsp Aleppo pepper, plus more for garnish
1/2 tsp sumac
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 cup [160 g] cooked chickpeas
6 oz [170 g] Greek feta cheese, diced
In a large saucepan, heat the 2 Tbsp of oil until hot. Add the quinoa and toast over medium heat for 2 or 3 minutes, stirring frequently. Add 2 cups [480 ml] of water and bring to a boil. Cover the pan, lower the heat, and simmer for 15 minutes, or until the water is absorbed and the quinoa is tender. Spread the quinoa on a rimmed baking sheet to cool completely.
Scrape the cooled quinoa into a large bowl and add the tomatoes, cucumbers, parsley, mint, and scallions.
Toss to combine. In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, remaining 1⁄2 cup [120 ml] of oil, Aleppo pepper, sumac, salt, and black pepper. Pour the dressing over the salad, mixing gently but thoroughly. Fold in the chickpeas and feta. Serve chilled or at room temperature, sprinkled with additional parsley, mint, and Aleppo pepper.
]]>Our friends atMassayacame by recently to do a tasting at It was so lovely to have them here, teaching us all about their winery in the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon and how they create their arak.Triple distilled from the white wine of indigenous Lebanese grape varietals, Massaya's arakis blended with uncrushed aniseed before aging in clay jars for 12 to 18 months. This time-intensive process yields an unforgettable drink. Next time you’re in ourwine and spiritsshop, ask for a sample!
]]>Welcome, June! Summertime is made for grilling. I love to use our house made spice blends to make getting dinner on the table so much easier.
The warm spices of our kefta kabob seasoning mixed with ground beef and seasoned further with onion and parsley makes a great dinner hot or warm.Chicken kabob is a rich seasoning mix with garlic, paprika, herbs etc. which is perfect for poultry. Shish kabob seasoning is a traditional warm spice mixture. Allspice, cloves, black pepper etc make a wonderful match for rich beef or lamb. All benefit from a few hours to overnight in the fridge making them perfect make-ahead quick and healthy meals!
For summer BBQs I love to pairany of these with Fattoush-- so light and fresh tasting. Start off with a Moroccan spiced hummus and a Greek feta dip with both bread and vegetables, add in a salad or fattoush, and you have the perfect summer grill. Enjoy!
]]>SERVES 6
1/4 cup [60 ml] extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
1 onion, finely diced
2 large garlic cloves, minced
Two 15 or 19 oz [430 or 540 g] cans fava beans (foul mudammas)
2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp fine sea salt
1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 tsp Aleppo pepper
1/2 cup [20 g] chopped fresh parsley
1 lemon, halved
1/4 cup [45 g] Kalamata olives, whole
Fresh sliced tomatoes, sliced cucumbers, labneh,
and warm Za’atar Bread or pitas, for serving
Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the onion and garlic and sauté just until tender, about 5 minutes. Drain the beans, reserving 1⁄2 cup [120 ml] of the liquid. Add the beans and 1⁄4 cup [60 ml] of the reserved liquid to the pot, crushing some of the beans a bit with a wooden spoon to make a thick sauce. Add the cumin, salt, and black and Aleppo peppers, and mix well. Lower the heat and simmer for 10 minutes, or until the beans are very tender and the flavors have blended. If it looks too dry, stir in as much of the remaining 1⁄4 cup [60 ml] cooking liquid as needed to make a fluid, chunky mixture.
Transfer the bean mixture to a shallow bowl and sprinkle with the parsley. Squeeze some lemon juice over the dish and drizzle with more olive oil. Garnish with the olives. Serve the beans with a platter of sliced tomatoes and cucumbers, labneh drizzled with extra-virgin olive oil, and bread for dipping.
A while back my family and I had the luxury of visiting Chateau Ksara in the Bekka Valley. It is one of the oldest wineries in Lebanon. It was wonderful to see the vineyard and taste familiar and unfamiliar varieties. Hearing their longstanding traditions and seeing the caves was a great experience. We are delighted to have and stocked in our shopand available to ship.
For years we have been asked to sell the beautiful Lebanese bottles we are featuring in our wine bar, but regulations prevented those sales, so we decided to branch out with Sahadi Spirits. The best part of this for us is being able to pair wines with our amazing snack selections as well as our impressive cheese department. The curation alone brings a smile to my face when customers get the perfect pairing.
Hope to see you at the Grand Opening on April 23rd () whenquite a few of our favorite producers and importers will be pouring and speaking about their wines -- and of course, we will be passing appetizers. Cheers!
SERVES 4 TO 6
1/4 cup [5 g] crushed fresh mint leaves
2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp Aleppo pepper
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Twelve 1/2 in [12 mm] thick lamb rib chops (about 2 lb [910 g] total)
1/4 cup [80 g] pomegranate molasses
Combine the mint, oil, salt, and Aleppo and black peppers in a mini food processor or blender and whiz to make a paste, adding a bit more oil if needed to loosen the mixture.
Scrape out the paste into a large bowl, add the chops, and toss to coat all over with the mixture. Cover the bowl and set aside at room temperature to marinate for 30 minutes while you fire up the grill or preheat a grill pan over medium-high heat.
Arrange the chops on the hot grill or pan, placing them over the hottest part of the fire. Sear for about 2 minutes or just until browned, then turn and sear the second side. Brush the tops of the chops with the pomegranate molasses. Turn again, brushing the second side with the molasses, then turn one last time. Cook no more than 30 seconds per side after glazing, just long enough to caramelize it without overcooking the meat.
Transfer to a serving platter, cover loosely with foil, and let the chops rest for 5 minutes or so before serving.
SERVES 4 TO 6
Wings
1/2 cup [50 g] harissa spices
2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp fine sea salt
1/2 tsp cayenne
2 1/2 lb [1.2 kg] chicken wings, separated at joint, tips discarded
Feta Dipping Sauce
1/2 cup [120 g] plain yogurt, full or reduced fat
1/4 cup [30 g] crumbled feta cheese
2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley, plus more for garnish
2 Tbsp chopped dill
2 Tbsp minced cucumber
1 garlic clove, minced or grated
1 tsp fresh lemon juice
3/4 tsp fine sea salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Liquid harissa, for serving
To make the wings: In a large bowl, combine the harissa spices with the oil, minced garlic, sea salt, and cayenne, stirring to make a paste. Add the wings and mix with your hands until they are thoroughly coated with the spice mixture. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
Preheat the oven to 500°F [260°C] or as close as your oven goes. Coat a rimmed baking sheet thoroughly with olive oil. Spread the wings in the pan in a single layer. Bake for 45 minutes, moving the pan from the top to the bottom rack and turning the wings every 15 minutes to ensure they brown evenly.
To make the dipping sauce: In a small bowl, mix the yogurt with the feta, parsley, dill, cucumber, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper, and stir thoroughly with a fork.
Arrange the hot wings on a platter and shower with the chopped parsley. Serve with the dipping sauce and liquid harissa for those who like it even spicier.
]]>This salad has romaine lettuce, toasted pine nuts, Greek barrel aged feta cheese, baby kale, slivered fennel, scallions, baby pepper rings and Persian cucumbers. Topped with pomegranate seeds and a handful of fennel fronds, it was as beautiful to eat as it was to look at. The dressing is both tart and a little sweet and the pomegranate molasses gives it a lovely velvety texture. Its texture and freshness makes it a must among all the other rich dishes.
Pomegranate Vinaigrette
1/4 cup pomegranate molasses (such as Zejd)
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 heaping tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon honey, or more to taste
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil (we prefer Lebanese oil)
Whisk together the pomegranate molasses, vinegar, mustard, honey and salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Slowly whisk in the olive oil until emulsified. Drizzle over your greens of choice!
]]>Everton Reserve from Jacobs & Brichford
(raw cow, Southeast Indiana)
If you want good cheese, you gotta have good milk, and if you want good milk, you gotta grow good grass. That’s the mindset at Jacobs & Brichford, where all their cheeses come from 100% grassfed cows, which you can see in their golden hues (a result of beta carotene from the grass making its way to the milk!). Everton Reserve is a raw cow’s milk alpine-style cheese that spends extra time in the aging cellar, resulting in flavors that are sharper than a gruyere with tropical fruit notes and a satisfying crystalline crunch.
Sawtooth from Cascadia Creamery
(raw cow, Trout Lake, WA)
Terroir is a French term that loosely translates to “taste of place”—how a food’s flavor is often influenced by the place it was made. The cheeses from Cascadia Creamery are a perfect manifestation of terroir: located in the tiny town of Trout Lake, Washington at the bed of volcanic Mt. Albans, cows graze on grass rich in nutrients from the volcanic soil. From their raw milk, Cascadia Creamery creates 100% organic cheeses that age within volcanic caves, imparting an earthy minerality, perfectly reflecting the region. Sawtooth is a pudgy washed-rind cheese, imparting a light tangy funk reminiscent of fresh bread dough amongst the creamy and beefy undertones. Transport yourself to Trout Lake with a wedge today!
It's soup season! To celebrate, we're sharing one of the mostdelicious recipes fromFlavors of the Sun and a universal store favorite: chicken soup.We serve a version of this soup, alongside our classic vegan red lentil, every day in our deli department.
At Industry City, we're currently offeringa grilled cheese & soup of the day combo in the café for $18. The options change daily perchef’s choice,but on deck right nowis an aged cheddar grilled cheese with a parmesan butter crust and ancho chile plum sauce. Crunchy and savory, this is everything you want from a classic grilled cheese, but elevated with a kick from the chile sauce.We draw from the Mediterranean for ourotheroption: a grilled pita with a creamy paprika cheese and fig jam filling. This stuffed pita is tangy, creamy and slightly sweet, grilled to perfection.
Now, onto the recipe! This is the best kind of peasant dish: a warming, sustaining meal in a bowl that is packed with interesting flavors and textures, from chewy chorizo to silky cabbage. It is so easy to make yet so richly flavored, you’ll want to serve it for afall dinner gathering. To take this over the top, serve with croutons topped with a dab of toum. It goes well with a glass of rustic red wine.
This recipe is in theSpiced chapter of Flavors of the Sun. The book is divided into five chapters: Bright, Savory, Spiced, Nutty, and Sweet so you can shortcut to exactly what you're craving. You can order your copy now from wherever books are sold.
SERVES 8
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 large onion, thinly sliced
2 medium carrots, scrubbed and cut into 1/2 in [12 mm] chunks
2 celery stalks, finely chopped
3 large garlic cloves, minced
2 bay leaves
1 Tbsp hot (picante) smoked paprika or 1 Tbsp mild smoked paprika mixed with 1/2 tsp cayenne
1 Tbsp chopped fresh oregano leaves
1/2 tsp saffron threads
1 lb [455 g] dried chickpeas
4 oz [115 g] serrano ham or prosciutto, cut into 1/2 in [12 mm] cubes
4 oz [115 g] Spanish-style cured chorizo, cut into 1/2 in [12 mm] rounds
8 small red potatoes, scrubbed and halved
8 cups [2 L] low-sodium chicken broth or stock
6 chicken drumsticks
1/2 medium green cabbage (about 1 lb [455 g]), cored and cut into 8 wedges
Fine sea salt and fresh black pepper
1/2 cup [20 g] chopped fresh parsley
Heat the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the onions and sauté until starting to soften. Add the carrots, celery, garlic, and bay leaves and cook and stir for another 3 to 4 minutes, until fragrant and the onions are very soft. Stir in the paprika, oregano, and saffron.
Add the chickpeas, ham, chorizo, and potatoes to the pot and stir to coat with the seasonings. Pour in the broth and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to a simmer; cover the pot, leaving the lid just slightly askew to allow steam to escape, and cook until the chickpeas are tender, about 1 hour. Stir to break up the potatoes a bit.
Add the chicken and cabbage to the pot and simmer until the chicken is cooked through and the cabbage is tender, about 20 more minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate and when cool enough to handle, pull off the meat, discarding the skin and bones. Return the meat to the soup and season with salt and pepper.
To serve, place 1 cabbage wedge in each wide, shallow bowl and ladle the soup, meat, and chickpeas around it. Sprinkle with parsley and serve hot.
This recipe is in theSweet chapter ofFlavors of the Sun. The book is divided into five chapters: Bright, Savory, Spiced, Nutty, and Sweet so you can shortcut to exactly what you're craving. You canorder your copy nowfrom wherever books are sold.
MAKES 2 QT [1.9 L]
4 cups [960 ml] whole milk, preferably organic
2 1/2 tsp sahlab powder
1 cup [200 g] sugar
1 lb [455 g] tart dried apricots
11/2 tsp mastic “tears”
1 cup [240 ml] heavy cream
2 tsp orange blossom water
Pour all but 1⁄4 cup [60 ml] of the milk into a large saucepan. In a small bowl, stir the sahlab into the reserved 1⁄4 cup [60 ml] of milk until dissolved.Stir the sahlab mixture into the saucepan of milk and bring to a boil, stirring frequently. When the mixture reaches a boil, add the sugar, reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, stirring frequently, for 25 minutes, until slightly thickened.
While the milk heats, combine the apricots with 1 cup [240 ml] water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, stir once, then cover and set aside to cool completely.
Using a small spice grinder or a mortar and pestle, grind or pulverize the mastic to a very fine powder. Transfer the powder to a small bowl and blend with
1 Tbsp of the heavy cream. Add to the hot milk mixture and cook for 5 more minutes, or until slightly thickened. Set aside to cool to room temperature.
While the milk cools, combine the apricots and cooking liquid in a blender or food processor. Purée until very smooth.
Strain the cooled milk mixture into a clean bowl. Stir in the remaining cream, the orange blossom water, and the apricot purée. Refrigerate until thoroughly chilled, at least 2 hours or overnight.
Pour the ice cream mixture into the canister of an ice cream maker and freeze according to the instructions. Transfer to freezer containers and freeze for at least 2 hours or until completely firm. Keep frozen until ready to serve.
]]>My favorite this summeris the Desert Bloom,a gorgeous ruby cocktail made withhibiscus, rosewater, tequila and and topped with prosecco. Another favorite is theOrange Blossom Side Car with orange blossom water, fresh citrus and brandy.
Familiar flavors with a little Sahadi’s twist. You've seen a couple of these ingredients in our grocery aisles. If you're ever curious whether something off the shelf would work in a cocktail, just ask us! Find our complete summer cocktail menu .
]]>SERVES 6 TO 8
Chicken
2 1/2 to 3 lb [1.2 to 1.4 kg] boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1 in chunks
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley, plus more for garnish
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 tsp fine sea salt
1 tsp Aleppo pepper, plus more for garnish
1 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
Toum
1/4 cup [60 ml] fresh lemon juice
2 Tbsp crushed fresh garlic
1 tsp fine sea salt
2 cups [480 ml] extra-virgin olive oil
1 lb [455 g] red or yellow baby bell peppers or full-size peppers, cut into quarters
2 cups [320 g] cherry or grape tomatoes
To make the chicken: Put the chicken chunks in a large bowl. Add the parsley, extra-virgin olive oil, garlic, salt, Aleppo pepper, smoked paprika, cumin, and black pepper. Mix well, cover, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours and up to 12 hours.
To make the toum: Put the lemon juice, garlic, and salt in a food processor. With the motor running, slowly pour in the oil in a steady stream until fully emulsified and fluffy like mayonnaise. Store in the refrigerator in a tightly covered container.When ready to cook, preheat a barbecue grill, ridged grill pan, or the broiler until very hot. Wipe the grill grates or grill pan with an oil-soaked paper towel to prevent sticking. Thread the chicken chunks onto long metal skewers, alternating with the bell peppers and tomatoes.
Grill the skewers over high heat, turning once, until well browned and cooked through, 10 to 12 minutes total. Garnish with parsley and Aleppo pepper, and serve with lots of toum.
]]>We hope to see you soon at Sahadi's!
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