Lebanese food fusesthe textures and colors of Mediterranean cuisine with spicy Arabic flavors, introducing your palette to a new world of mesmerizing flavors that only get better with every bite.
Lebanon lines the Mediterranean Sea’s eastern coast, with its geography, climate, and surrounding influences all contributing to a cuisine rife with powerful juices and spices, fresh vegetables, and succulent meat.
Here is a sneak peek into some of the favorite Lebanese appetizers and mains guaranteed to please your taste buds:
Fattoush
Fattoush is a type of delicious and rich saladserved as part of the Lebanese spread of appetizers or mezze. It is traditionally a salad of radishes, mint, lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, and pita chips or fried pita bread.
Fattoush is seasoned with a dash of lemon juice, sumac, pomegranate molasses, and olive oil, creating a salad that is filling and fresh, while packing a small punch. This delish salad is perfect for both dinner and lunch and is a simple Lebanese food worth trying.
Hummus
Hummus is among the most beloved and popular dishes from the world’s Levantine region.It is traditionally a dip made of tahini paste, chickpeas, lemon juice, and a dusting of garlic.
You can pair this delicious savory dish with so many foods. It can be consumed as a side dish on chicken platters or with grilled meat,as a dip for cooked or cooked vegetables, or spread it on various types of bread.Although the traditional recipe remains the most popular, Lebanon is also home to an array of hummus varieties.
Labneh
Labneh is yet another popular breakfast itemfound in Lebanon. It is a variation of yogurt, prepared by straining the yogurt’s excess liquid until you are left with a creamywhite and firm dip.
Its taste is the delicate balance of sour, salty, and tangy, and is best served cold with fresh olives and olive oil.Labneh is also wildly popular in almost all Lebanese households. You can spread it on pita bread, toast, or baguettes,finished with a sprinkle of thyme and herbs.
Muhammara
Muhammara is a rich and deep-roasted red pepper dip that packs lots of flavor and heat. ‘Muhammara’ is an Arabic expression, which means to ‘turn red,’ which explains the dip’s fiery red color.
It is prepared from fresh red peppers that are initially cooked and ground into a paste with olive oil, walnuts, and breadcrumbs.
Lemon juice, garlic, salt, pomegranate molasses, and often spices such as cumin, are added as well to infuse more flavor.
Tabbouleh
Tabbouleh is a distinct Lebanese salad, made of fresh mint and parsley, a handful of finely chopped tomatoes, onions, and bulgur, with a drizzle of olive oil and lemon juice. It is traditionally served with Lebanese mezze and is a favorite to beeaten at any time of the day.
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