missmad said:

What is "tahina"?

And isn't it mostly olive oil, which isn't bad for you? Not loads of it, mind you but we all need some good fats, no? Just don't tell me I gotta cut down on my new passion



.
[Edited 10/29/05 19:42pm]

Zelaira said:

But, Pumpkin, there are sooo many different types of Medi-region foods that have less oil though, we just need to expand our tastebud horizons on what's available out there...!If you're interested in experimenting a bit at home,though, there's a fantastic article in the November ssue of Metropolitan Home on Turkish cuisine, but focusing on grains like bulgur wheat. Some of the ingredients you need are exotic, but can probably be found at your neighborhood "Whole Foods" market.

I'm lucky because living in Germany, the major minority here is Turkish, and there are Turkish grocery stores EVERYWHERE, with the most delectable ingredients you can imagine: red pepper paste, kiwi jam, fresh flatbreads and sesame loaves and ciabatta every day...once you get away from the Turkish fast food joints (the ones with the over-oiled ganoushes, hummus, and dönners (the Turkish version of a gyro), you can really do some serious damage in the kitchen with some tasty-assed food!

endorphin74 said:

here's a speedy version that I do at home that's painless to make:


OTTENSEN'S QUICK BABA GANOUSH


3 tbsp. olive oil
2 diced eggplants (aka aubergines)
2 crushed garlic cloves
juice from 1/2 lemon
3 tbsp. FRESH basil

OPTIONAL: -red pepper flakes or harrissa* to taste
-salt

(* = an ingredient found in a health, organic, or middle eastern food stores)


1. Heat oil in medium frying pan before frying eggplants/aubergines until soft
2. Add all cooked ingredients except optional ingredients to food processor
3. Blend until a rough paste is formed
4. Scrape Baba Ganoush into a bowl and season with salt, and/or pepper flakes/
harissa to taste
5. Serve with flatbread, pita triangles or pita crisps



Hope this works for ya!

[u]

meditteranean food doesn't give me the farts.

ha ha ha!

Tahini is one of the ingredients in the Baba Ganoush from Whole Foods. Do most places make it w/ Tahini?

Some arab states call it tahini but in egypt it is tahina. With falafel or kababs and a bit of salad, eat in all wrapped in fresh hot pita bread, OMG!



Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
----- ----- -----
2 Garlic cloves
Salt
3/4 c Tahini
1 tb White vinegar
1 Lemon -- juiced
1/2 c -Water
1/2 ts Ground cumin
1/2 c Chopped parsley

Crush garlic cloves with 1/2 teaspoon salt.

Place tahini in mixing bowl and beat well. This
preliminary beating reduces the strong flavour of the
tahini.

Beat in garlic and vinegar. Gradually add lemon juice
alternately with water. To make a cream salad of good
consistency add enough lemon juice to make the tahini
very thick before adding water. This way you have
more scope in adjusting the flavour and consistency of
the sauce.

Add salt to taste, and more lemon juice if a sharper
sauce is required. Blend in cumin and parsley and
chill until required. Serve as a mazza or as directed
in recipes.

Makes about 1 3/4 cups
[Edited 10/31/05 11:43am]

The White Bean Salad and Tabouli are Lighter if you are Watching your weight or Grape Leaves with Rice. I Like all of that.... Forget about the DESERTS... Baklava and All those Other Honey Treats with Wheat and Nuts. Pastachio Nuts...

:::how pathetic will it be if I'm alone on this thread:::

Cali, if you ever come down my way (LA) we definitely need to hook up because there are all kinds of places around where I work that you would love. There is even a Hare Krishna temple right around the corner and they serve food there....yummy

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

i always wanted to be a Krishna!

IrresistibleB1tch said:

we're surrounded by em

endorphin74 said:

here's a speedy version that I do at home that's painless to make:


OTTENSEN'S QUICK BABA GANOUSH


3 tbsp. olive oil
2 diced eggplants (aka aubergines)
2 crushed garlic cloves
juice from 1/2 lemon
3 tbsp. FRESH basil

OPTIONAL: -red pepper flakes or harrissa* to taste
-salt

(* = an ingredient found in a health, organic, or middle eastern food stores)


1. Heat oil in medium frying pan before frying eggplants/aubergines until soft
2. Add all cooked ingredients except optional ingredients to food processor
3. Blend until a rough paste is formed
4. Scrape Baba Ganoush into a bowl and season with salt, and/or pepper flakes/
harissa to taste
5. Serve with flatbread, pita triangles or pita crisps



Hope this works for ya!

[u]

Cali, if you ever come down my way (LA) we definitely need to hook up because there are all kinds of places around where I work that you would love. There is even a Hare Krishna temple right around the corner and they serve food there....yummy