Jawaneh Djaj (Citrus Chicken Wings)

Serves: 4 Preparation time: 10 minutes Cooking time: 40 minutes Ingredients: 10–12 chicken wings 2 tbsp olive oil 4–5 garlic cloves, finely chopped 30g fresh coriander, chopped Juice of 1 lemon ½ tsp salt Direction: Trim the wings by cutting off the pointy part at the end and any excess skin, then cut...

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Kasabet Djaj (Chicken Livers with Garlic and Coriander)

Serves: 4 Preparation time: 10 minutes Cooking time: 10 minutes Ingredients: 2 tbsp oil 500g fresh chicken livers, diced 3 garlic cloves, crushed 30g chopped fresh coriander Juice ½ lemon ½ tsp salt ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper To garnish Lemon wedges Direction: Heat the oil in a frying pan...

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Samak Bizri (Whitebait)

This seasonal fish served fried in Lebanon, with a bowl of tahini sauce and lot of lemons for squeezing. Serves: 4 Preparation time: 15 minutes Cooking time: 20 minutes Ingredients: 500g whitebait 1 tsp salt 40g plain flour Oil, for deep-frying To garnish 2 lemons, cut into wedges Direction: Gut the...

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Fatayer Sabanekh (Spinach Triangles)

Serves: 4 Preparation time: 1½–2 hours, plus rising Cooking time: 25 minutes Ingredients: For the dough 400g wholemeal or white bread flour or a mixture, plus extra for rolling out 1 sachet instant dry yeast ½ tsp salt About 200ml warm water For the filling 400g chopped fresh spinach 1 large onion,...

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Fatayer Hummus (Mince and Chickpea Pasties)

Serves: 4 Preparation time: 1½–2 hours Cooking time: 30 minutes Ingredients: For the dough 300g plain flour, plus extra for rolling out 1 tsp instant dried yeast 1⁄2 tsp salt 3 tbsp oil About 150ml water For the filling 220g dried chickpeas, soaked 50ml oil 230g onions, chopped 130g minced lamb 2 tsp...

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Labneh (Yoghurt Cream Cheese)

Labneh is a concentrated yoghurt dip. It is popular throughout the Middle East and mostly eaten at breakfast, drizzled with a little olive oil on top. Serves: 4 Preparation time: 5 minutes, plus draining Ingredients: 1 litre plain yoghurt ½ tsp salt Drizzle of olive oil (optional) To garnish Cucumber...

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Hummus Mtabal (Chickpeas with Tahini)

Hummus is popular dip in the West. It is delicious with any barbecued meat. Once you’ve made it at home you will realise how quick and simple it is to make. Use light tahini, not whole, which is dark in colour. Serve: 4 Preparation time: 20 minutes with cooked chickpeas Cooking time: 1½ hours, plus soaking,...

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Baba Ghanouj (Aubergine Dip)

This aubergine dip has a unique smoky flavour. It is very popular and always served with any selection of maza. If you prefer it without the smoky taste, just bake the aubergine in the oven instead of cooking it over a direct flame. Serve: 4 Preparation time: 10 minutes Cooking time: 1½ hours Ingredients: 2...

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