Chapter One

BREAD AND BREAD DISHES

THERE ARE MANY NAMES FOR and forms of Arabic bread: kmaj, marquq, tlami, saj, furn . Some are made thick ( tlami ), others, paper thin ( saj ); some are cooked over a metal dome on an open fire, some baked in ovens. However, the basic Arabic Bread recipe is used for all of these variations. It is a trick as well as an art to be able to cook good Arabic Bread. In the Middle East, a woman would set aside one day for making bread and bread dishes, all of which require the basic dough recipe. However, with the conveniences of modern life, bread can be made much more quickly and easily.

HINTS

~ While making the basic Arabic Bread recipe, dip your hands in water when kneading to give a smooth elastic finish to the dough.

~ Where ground lamb is required, ground chuck or ground round may be substituted.

DEFINITIONS OF ARAB BREADS

Kmaj : Round flat bread with a pocket used for sandwiches, dips, Arabic pizzas, and so forth.

Marquq : Very thin, round, flat bread, rolled like Italian pizza dough.

Tlami : Round, flat, soft-textured, thick bread without a pocket used for mnaqish and as regular bread.

Saj : Paper thin bread that is baked over a metal dome on an open fire.

Furn : Term used for Arabic bread made commercially.

Arabic Bread:

Basic Bread Dough

Khubz `Arabi

1 package or cake of yeast

1 T. sugar

2 c. lukewarm water

6 c. flour

2 t. salt

1/3 c. milk

Dissolve the yeast and sugar in 1/2 cup of the warm water. Let stand 5-10 minutes. Place the flour and salt in large bowl making a depression in the center. Combine the remaining water, milk, and dissolved yeast; pour it into the depression. Begin mixing the flour with the liquid making sure all batter on the sides of the bowl is worked into the dough. Knead until a smooth dough results and the sides of the bowl are clean. (Hands are occasionally dipped in more water while kneading to give a smooth, elastic finish.)

    Cover the dough with a towel and let rise in a warm place until it doubles in size (2-4 hours). Grab orange-size balls from the edge of the dough and form into smooth balls until all the dough is used. Cover the dough balls with a cotton kitchen towel and let rise on another cloth towel for 30 minutes. Roll the balls into 1/4-inch-thick circles. Cover and let rise again on a cloth for 30 minutes.

    Heat the oven to 475º. Place the dough directly on racks in the oven. As soon as the dough rises into a mound, 2-5 minutes, place it under the broiler for few seconds until it's lightly browned. Cool.

    7-9 LOAVES

NOTEMany of the recipes that follow are made with this basic dough. The dough freezes well.

Seasoned Flat Tart

Mnaqish biz-Za`tar

2 loaves of unbaked Arabic Bread 4 T. za`tar 4 T. olive oil 1-2 t. lemon juice, optional, depending on tartness desired

Prepare the Arabic bread dough, and just prior to baking set aside 2 loaves for mnaqish . Mix the za`tar well with the oil and lemon. Roll the dough into a 1/2-inch-thick circle. Flute the edges.

    Pour the oil and lemon mixture evenly on the dough and smooth it over the surface, pressing it gently with 4 fingers leaving finger impressions on the dough. Place the dough on a lightly greased pizza or cookie sheet. Bake at 475º for about 8 minutes or until golden brown.

    2 TARTS

NOTEThe oil in the mixture may be slightly increased or decreased depending on desired thickness of sauce. Zatar is available in Middle Eastern specialty grocery stores.

* * *

from MIHSHI:

Stuffed Zucchini

Kusa Mihshi

3 lbs. zucchini (12-14 zucchini up to 6 inches in length)

1 small chopped onion

1 T. butter

1 c. uncooked rice, long grain

1 lb. lamb shoulder, finely chopped

1/8 t. cinnamon

1 T. salt, plus 2 t.

pepper to taste

3 large tomatoes, peeled and diced, or 1-lb. can of stewed tomatoes

Core the zucchini, leaving 1/2-inch walls--be careful not to pierce the shell. Rinse the zucchini in cold water and drain. Sauté the onions in butter in a large pan. Rinse and drain the rice. Place it in a bowl. Add the meat, cinnamon, 1 tablespoon salt, and pepper; mix well. Then add half of the diced tomatoes to the meat and mix. Stuff the zucchini three-quarters full with the meat mixture or within an inch of the end (leave room for the rice to expand). Arrange the zucchini over the sautéed onions and pour the rest of the tomatoes on top. Barely cover with water and 2 teaspoons of additional salt.

    Cover and cook on a medium flame for about 35 minutes or until the rice is done. Gently remove the zucchini to a serving platter. Serve the liquid in a pitcher. If desired, pour it over the zucchini and filling. Serve 1 to 3 zucchini per person.

    6-8 SERVINGS

VARIATIONS

To make Kusa bil-Laban (Stuffed Zucchini in Yogurt), use the above recipe, excluding all of the tomatoes. Cook as instructed above. Drain the liquid. Add Yogurt Sauce (see page 190) for the last 10 minutes and simmer. To make Batinjan Mihshi (Stuffed Eggplants), substitute small eggplants (up to 5 inches in length) for the zucchini.

NOTE For a recipe using the cored portion of the zucchini, see Mnazlit Kusa (Zucchini Stew) -- page 147.

Stuffed Turkey

Habash Mihshi

4 c. ground lamb or beef

1/2 c. butter, melted

6-8 c. cooked rice

1/2 c. pine nuts

1/2 c. blanched almonds, halved

2 1/2 t. salt

1 t. allspice

1 t. pepper

1/2 t. cinnamon

1/2 c. water

12-14 lb. hen turkey

Sauté the ground meat until brown. Add the rest of the ingredients, except the water and the turkey, and continue sautéing for 5 minutes. Stuff the cavity of the turkey with the mixture. Sew or skewer the openings shut. Place the turkey in a roasting pan with the water and cover.

    Bake at 450° for 1 hour. Lower to 325° and continue baking for 2 hours or until tender. Remove the cover for the last 15 minutes to brown.

    8 SERVINGS

NOTEYou can substitute 1 1/2 c. chopped chestnuts for the pine nuts and almonds.

* * *

from LABAN (YOGURT) DISHES:

Eggplant with Yogurt

Batinjan bil-Laban

1 large eggplant

1/2 c. olive oil

1 clove garlic

1-2 t. salt

1 quart plain yogurt

Peel and slice the eggplant in 1/2-inch slices. Soak in salt water for 30 minutes. (This will prevent the eggplant from turning dark and from absorbing any excess oil when frying.) Remove and drain the eggplant on paper towels. Fry in the oil until golden brown on both sides. Cool.

    Mash the garlic and salt together. Add the yogurt, mixing well. To serve, place the cooled eggplant on a platter and pour enough yogurt sauce to cover. Or, the eggplant and yogurt can be served separately.

    4-6 SERVINGS

Garbanzo Beans

with Arabic Croutons

Fatti bil-Hummus

2 15 1/2-oz. cans garbanzo beans

1 large clove garlic

salt to taste

2 medium loaves of Arabic Bread (see page 12), toasted

1 1/2 c. plain yogurt

1/3 c. butter, melted

Bring the garbanzo beans to a boil, using one can of the bean liquid. Mash the garlic and salt together in large bowl. Add the hot garbanzo beans and liquid, mixing thoroughly. Break the bread into 1 1/2-inch pieces, and layer each piece with yogurt then the garbanzo mixture. Top with warm melted butter.

    4-6 SERVINGS

NOTEAlthough this can be served anytime, it is a favorite for breakfast.

Copyright © 1985 Madelain Farah. All rights reserved.