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I was in San Luis Obispo recently and my friends Barkev and Tzolig gave me a package of Tahini Bread to try. It was delicious! Of course, this carbaholic loves anything bread so it was almost a slam dunk but the fact that the bread had both a familiar taste and feel and yet was mysteriously unlike any bread I had ever tasted made it all the better. Mia said it kinda reminded her of Rugelach and I thought it reminded me of Palmiers but I think that was only because they loosely resembled them. A cross between the flaky Palmier and the chewiness of the Rugelach and add tahina and we are close. A delicate bread wrapped around a rich, nutty filling would be great but the texture of this treat was of a laminated pastry and for me all the better.
I decided to hit the net and found several entries for tahini bread from the middle east, some Turkish and others Armenian. The recipes resembled one another but the manner in which the bread were finished varied somewhat. For example the Turkish bread used almost the same ingredients as the Armenian bread but the Turkish resembled more of a roll than the “cookie like” flat bread I had eaten. [...]
Tzatziki sauce is a wonderfully fresh, crisp yogurt based sauce. Crisp cucumbers combine with yogurt. Tzatziki varies with the cook and locality and while the name might change a bit, Tzatziki is a mainstay of Mediterranean Cuisine. Tzatziki is a great way to enjoy the healthy benefits of yogurt and fresh cucumbers. [...]
There is an absolutely wonderful sauce served with Schwarma in Lebanese Restaurants. I love it! Lebanese Yogurt Garlic Sauce is not only a must on Shwarma but makes an exceptional dip with vegetables and flat bread. Garlicky and satisfying this dip is based in healthy yogurt and is very easy to make.
I usually use fat free, Greek Style Yogurt because it is creamy, delicious and very good for you. Yogurt Vegetable sticks such as red peppers, celery, carrots and snap peas are each equally at home with this wonderful dip. [...]
 I love to make hummus, it is easy, very good for you and has a high satiety value. Hummus is an excellent, low fat, high energy food perfect as a light meal or for an appetizer. There are a ton of ways to “customize” hummus depending upon taste and other things being served with it. I like to make a Lemony Hummus and equally love a Garlicky Hummus. It’s just good food! [...]
Mia and I tried out a new Middle Eastern restaurant we had heard about. Mia would have preferred to skip it for something more mainstream I think. We had been driving a bit, so when we hit the restaurant Mia told me to order something for her and dismissed herself for the restroom. Knowing that she thinks Middle Eastern is a little too grassy/grainy I chose Kifta, a Lebanese version of meat loaf. She loved it! [...]
When I was at a Lebanese market not too long ago I purchased a bottle of Pomegranate Molasses. The kindly lady behind the counter, Miri, told me she just takes a teaspoon every morning but that it can be used for dressings and in cooking. It looked beautiful and I love pomegranates!
I went looking for more information about Pomegranate Molasses and found a ton of recipes calling for pomegranates, lemons and sugar to be cooked into a reduction. Nope – true Pomegranate Molasses is a reduction of pomegranate juice, noting more or less. Make syrups and concoctions if you will; but to experience the true uniqueness of Pomegranate Molasses simply reduce the juice into a very thick reduction. [...]
Tabbouleh is an awesome salad! I visited my garden and clipped a pile of fresh parsley and another of mint, a few tomatoes and I was ready for an excellent salad. Tabbouleh is wonderfully satisfying, good for you and easy to prepare. Serve it as a part of a mezze for a completely satisfying and delicious meal. [...]
Lebanese Style Garlic Sauce is a delicious, very garlicky, sauce which is a perfect compliment to falafels, schwarma and much needed on any mezze. Eat it with tabbouleh and you won’t have a breath problem because the parsley cancels the garlic. 
Garlic sauce is very easy to prepare and the end product is much like mayonnaise. In fact, you may use this garlicky sauce on sandwiches in place of mayonnaise or spread it on a chicken breast prior to baking. Great Stuff! [...]
Mia and I jumped at the chance to drive to San Luis Obispo last evening to have dinner with our son Sterling. He had been talking about a restaurant that he likes called Petra. I guess there is a bit of controversy because Petra shares a wall with Jaffa Cafe who was the first in this little shopping center of two. Evidently Petra opened after Jaffa and a bit of controversy ensued. I suppose I would not like a flower shop opening in the same center as mine, so can understand some of the boundary issues. [...]
Tabouli is a wonderful salad which is organic and satisfying Levantine dish of Lebanese origin. Like most dishes the recipe will vary with the cook and by region. Tabouli, also spelled Tabbouleh, is sometimes a salad entirely of shredded parsley, green onions, mint and dressing with a bit of bulgur; other variations are a bulgur based dish flavored with fresh parsley, green onions, mint and dressing. [...]
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