Cooking Class

While in Leb some friends and I had the opportunity to take some cooking class from Chef Afif, a first-class Lebanese chef who runs the culinary school at the Lebanese-American University.  He taught us how to make Mutabal, or Baba Ghanoush as it's more commonly known.

Chef Afif's kitchen was industrial grade. 
It has everything needed to large quatities of tradition Lebanese food..

Baba Ghanoush starts with eggplant roasted on an open flame, then peeled and chopped. 

Chef Afif said I had the best chopping skills.  Apparently it's in the wrist. 

Kerry and I trying to plate our dishes.  I felt like I was on Food Network. 

Sweet, but completely the wrong shape. ;o)

Robert and I peeled garlic for the garlic sauce. 
We needed a lot so it took awhile.

He looks like a natural. 



Chef Afif was a great teacher. 



So, getting Lebanese food into the right shape in the dish is harder than it looks.
Let's just say it took us awhile. 



Chef Afif thought it turned out alright. 



Baba Ghanoush

 Want to make Baba Ghanoush?  You can try this recipe, adpated for American kitchens and measurements:  http://www.food.com/recipe/baba-ghanoush-the-best-in-the-world-67570

Found in Beirut!

That's right, Kroger-brand Peanut Butter is avaliable in the 24/7 convience store around the corner. 
Also spotted in a shop:  Kroger- brand Pizza Sauce. 

Tonino's Crepes!

As I walk along Bliss Street and across from a 200 year old wall surrounding the AUB campus, I pass many great food booths, but none so wonderful as Tonino's, a crepe stand. 

In any other part of the world crepe would sound like crape, ryhming with grape.  But in Lebanon it's pronounced crep, rhyming with step.  It's very important that as you read this post say crepe proper accent. CREP. 

My favorite crepe is the white chocolate Nutella with strawberries, but you can get almost anything on them. You can mix and match the entire list of ingredients, including Nutella, Kinder, Hershey's chocolate, butter, sugar, strawberries, bananas, nuts, cookies and cream, peanut butter, etc.


The Sweet Crepes Menu



Just a few Tonino's ingredients.



The White Chocolate and Strawberry Crepe=My Favorite

Tonino's is owned by Kareem, who was born in Canada and lived there until he was 17 and his father, who is Lebanese, decided to move the family back to Lebanon.

Tonino's has served crepes forby AUB for 12 years, and is an essential part of an authentic Hamra, Beruit experience.  I highly recommend it for whenever you're in Beirut.

East Eats West

esYou may have heard that Lebanon is an East meets West kind of country.  There is truly no place on earth that has it's mix of cultures.  Upon visiting Beirut, you might be surprised to find that along with the call to prayer played 5 times a day and great Mediterraean cuisine (amoung many), there are many many American restaurant chains.  I've pictured a few below for your viewing pleasure.

Restaurants not pictured (that I can think of ):  KFC; Chilli's; TGI Friday's

And just in case food isn't enough, Beirut also has many American retatilers ready to let you use your purchasing power to feel right at home. 



Not pictured (that I can think of ):  the Apple store