14 replies to this topic

[ChefCrash]

One day after the cease fire and a month long invasion of Lebanon, an old lady stood in front of the rubble of her family's home in the south of Lebanon and declared, " We will, be able to knead and bake our own bread".

Here is to her and hers.

My wife let this dough rise overnight.


Early in the morning I heat the Saaj and my wife cleans it with water.


Our neighbours from one side (my brother Sam and his wife Fadia) join in to help.


Our neighbours from the other side (my brother Dani and his wife Claude) bring Arabic coffee.


The AB looking guy is Sam.


The pillow is called 'kara'. Used to stretch the dough to half the thickness of a Tortilla and delivery onto the Saaj..


Viviana and Fadia work feverishly. The bread cooks in about one minute.


They get help.


Brother Dani and his son Nader.


Some Baabeel


Manaeesh.




Home made Labneh and cheese. Olives, oil, zaatar from Lebanon and homegrown veggies.

Edited by ChefCrash, 20 August 2006 - 01:51 AM.

[Nicolai]

Great stuff.

Thank you for the pictures and for sharing this beautifull day in the sun.

[ohev'ochel]

is what u call the "baabeel" the same dough, just different shape?

everything looks spectacular, btw. the breads must turn out so great with the saaj.

[Catriona]

I've never understood the differences between the various types of middle eastern breads. Perhaps it's just a language thing. I know breads like you show here as Lavash (iranian). Is it a different thing?

[ChefCrash]

Great stuff.
Thank you for the pictures and for sharing this beautifull day in the sun.

Thanks Nicoli, the aromas were awsome.

is what u call the "baabeel" the same dough, just different shape? 

everything looks spectacular, btw.  the breads must turn out so great with the saaj.

Yes, the same dough. 3/4 ap flour, 1/4 corn flour.

I've never understood the differences between the various types of middle eastern breads.  Perhaps it's just a language thing.  I know breads like you show here as Lavash (iranian).  Is it a different thing?

The two breads mostly eaten in Lebanon are Pita and Khoubz Marqooq (the one we made above).

[FoodMan]

ChefCrash-
Thank you so much for sharing that wonderful breakfast. I can smell the manaiish on the saj baking at my favorite shop in the beloved Beirut. It is very inspiring and I will have to bake me some soon, albeit on my make shift stove top upsidedown wok rather than a lovely real saaj.

[kristin_71]

Note to self: Go to market buy Olives, labne, and figs for breakfast. God I am hungry for it NOW at 6.30 in the evening!

[Shaya]

Great pictures Chefcrash. Thanks for sharing. The breads look fabulous. How nice that you have your family so close by to share in these experiences.

I have been on a lebneh kick lately. How do you make your lebneh - is it a similar process to making yoghurt?

[ChefCrash]

Great pictures Chefcrash.  Thanks for sharing.  The breads look fabulous.  How nice that you have your family so close by to share in these experiences.

I have been on a lebneh kick lately.  How do you make your lebneh - is it a similar process to making yoghurt?

Thanks Shaya,
Labneh is simply, strained yogurt. My wife makes yogurt using whole milk (sometimes Half & Half) and about 1/2 cup of culture (leftover yogurt from the last batch).
The yogurt is then strained overnight in a strainer lined with a couple of layers of paper towel.

[FoodMan]

Great pictures Chefcrash.  Thanks for sharing.  The breads look fabulous.  How nice that you have your family so close by to share in these experiences.

I have been on a lebneh kick lately.  How do you make your lebneh - is it a similar process to making yoghurt?

It's simply yogurt with the excess water drained out. Click here for a recipe.

[ChefCrash]

Deja Vu ?

[Nicolai]

Brilliant!

[zora]

ChefCrash, I'm intrigued by your saj setup. Can you describe exactly what you've done there? Looks like you set up a gas range inside a bucket and put a wok on top? Any guidelines for how close the flame should be to the wok surface, that sort of thing? How do you secure the wok? Or do you just balance it on there?

I guess I can start with FoodMan's stovetop suggestion... I just like the outdoor arrangement. I've been thinking of a big yard party with all our recent Syria experiences (newspaper on tabletops de rigueur).

[ChefCrash]

Thanks Nicolai, good to hear from you again.

ChefCrash, I'm intrigued by your saj setup.  Can you describe exactly what you've done there?  Looks like you set up a gas range inside a bucket and put a wok on top?  Any guidelines for how close the flame should be to the wok surface, that sort of thing? How do you secure the wok?  Or do you just balance it on there?

I guess I can start with FoodMan's stovetop suggestion... I just like the outdoor arrangement.  I've been thinking of a big yard party with all our recent Syria experiences (newspaper on tabletops de rigueur).

Zora,

You can see how I built it here.

[zora]

Genius setup! Thanks.