Lebanese Tabouli
Emma and Anthony Sofy are a mother and son team who have created one of the most popular Lebanese dining experiences in Sydney. They own a little cafe in Enmore, which for the two years it has been operating, has developed a reputation for good quality, authentic Lebanese food. They aim to give customers a real taste of Lebanon and stick to the dishes that are available all year round, so that customers know exactly what they will get each visit. Lebanese cuisine is great value and is very popular with vegetarians.
The Dishes
Lebanese cuisine is known for its richness, colour, diversity of flavours and healthy style. Much of the food revolves around the principle of ‘mezze’, where small portions of food are provided, much like appetisers. A typical Lebanese table would have mezze as starters followed by a main course of grilled meats, kebabs or one of many delicious vegetable main courses. Some of the dishes include:
Tabouli
Emma showed us how to prepare traditional tabouli (see below). There have been many variations on this dish, but this is how she prefers it.
Fatouche
A traditional peasant salad made to eat with the fingers.
Traditional Hommous
Freshly cooked chickpeas, crushed with tahini, garlic, lemon juice and spices topped with sauteed lamb and pine nuts with tomato and parsley.
Smoky Baba Ganouge
Eggplant roasted on an open fire, with tahini, garlic and spices.
Shawarma
Veal strips marinated in wine and herbs, pan-fried with onion and served with a tahini sauce.
Shish Kebab
Skewers of lamb, onion and capsicum, marinated in spices and grilled.
Turkish Delight
A firm, though jelly-like sweet made with sugars, corn starch and gum base. Nuts are often included and the sweet is covered with a dusting of icing sugar.
Baklava
Flaky layers of paper-thin pastry layered with pistachios and golden butter, gently enveloped in a honey syrup.
The entire Mediterranean region is known for its anise-flavoured liqueurs. In Lebanon it is called Arak. It is a regular accompaniment to most meals. It is an aperitif and is served in small glasses with water.
Emma’s Tabouli
The spices are Emma’s secret. However just a pinch of any one of these ground spices will taste magic. Try pepper, cumin, cassia, cloves, coriander seed, cardamom or nutmeg.
(Should be prepared just before serving)
Ingredients
- 1 bunch of mint, finely chopped
- 3 bunches of Continental (flat-leafed) parsley, stalks removed, finely chopped
- 1 bunch shallots, finely chopped
- 2 medium firm tomatoes, seeded and finely diced
- crushed wheat
- juice of 1 lemon
- 6 spoons of olive oil
- pinch of chilli and your preferred spice
- salt to taste
(Note: It is important to chop and dice the ingredients very finely.)
Method
- Add the mint, parsley and shallots and combine gently with a fork.
- Add the tomato, crushed wheat, salt and spice and continue to combine whilst drizzling the lemon juice and olive oil.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning (lemon, oil, spice and salt) accordingly.
Serves 2 to 4
Further information
Our segment was filmed at:
Emma’s On Liberty Lebanese Cafe
59 Liberty Street
Enmore NSW 2042
Phone: (02) 9550 3458
A bustling restaurant with a vegetarian-based menu. Low prices with traditional and modern Lebanese food.
Other restaurants mentioned:
Mo Mo Restaurant
Basement
115 Collins Street
Melbourne Vic 3000
Phone: (03) 9650 0660
A fusion of flavours from the Middle East cooked in a classical European style.
Ottoman Cuisine
Broughton Street (Cnr Blackall St)
Barton ACT 2600
Phone: (02) 6273 6111
Fine contemporary Turkish cuisine served in plush surroundings.
Attica
74 Glen Eira Road
Ripponlea Vic 3185
Phone: (03) 9530 0111
Middle Eastern fare, good value, simply cooked.