Of all the foods, staples and traditions throughout each corner of the globe, nothing can quite compare to such enchanting and mesmerising recipes that is within the heart of Middle Eastern cuisine.
Here in Dublin, the gradual growing multicultural element to the Irish capital has within the last 5 years adopted a Middle-Eastern approach to one of the diners on Dame st overlooking the old prestigous Trinity College in the far distance.
'Umi Falafel' has within a few short years blossomed to the public delight with many overseas students from everywhere including the from the Arabian gulf. Their homemade falafel, made of 17 secret family ingredients is the theme of the show, along with several freshly prepared salads from familiar names of Fattoush, Tabouleh, Shamandar and more. There are many beautiful sauces and bites ranging from handmade hummus, tahini, couscous, Baba Ghanoush, Moroccan Quinoa salad and stuffed Vine leaves......The quality of it all is very impressive as the flying service sometimes can be bustling due to the demand of falafel and co. http://umifalafel.ie/
One could say that it really is the next best thing to actually being there immersing yourself in countries/cities such as Lebanon, Tel Aviv, Beirut or even Alexandria, to mention a few places.
However in ultimately going to these places, I am reminded from a recent documentary I saw that, there can be nothing quite like going there, getting it made for you by the locals of where all this lovely sizzling grub originates from. So saw this guy of the name Nigel Slaters travelling and exploring his way through Lebanon, which was the first episode of a 3 part series with the other 2 episodes of him in Turkey and then finally finishing off his journey of the Middle East in Iran.
The Lebanes episode was what resonated more to me.
The lebanese rice pudding firstly from a point of view, needs no words.
Then The Za'atar Chicken with Chickpeas and garlic yoghurt ,...melts in the mouth
followed by a finely crafted Fattoush salad with crisp olive flat bread...with all of it's vibrant fulfillment. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09qq7g8
The composed execution of this documentary could spur on some people to want to go to visit Lebanon...The passion inside his cooking and love of food came across very powerfully and gently within his enthusiasm and delight at exploring the Middle East. It surely was on his bucket list, or well was he just a great actor (professional BBC standards)? The nature of his interest in Lebanon comes through charismatic ally