RECIPE WORLD MASTER

Y'all need to check out these Middle Eastern bakeries and groceries! I had the pleasure of visiting a couple locations and let me tell you, my taste buds were dancing a dabke!

Middle East Bakery & Grocery

First up, let me start by talking about Middle East Bakery & Grocery. This place had everything I could ever want. From fresh pita bread to a wide variety of spices, this grocery store had it all. The staff was incredibly friendly and helpful, making it easy for me to find everything on my list. Not to mention, their selection of sweets was out of this world.

One of the things I tried was their baklava, and let me tell you, it was the best I've ever had. Flaky layers of phyllo dough filled with sweet honey and crushed pistachios left me craving more. They even had a wide variety of halva, a sesame based sweet, which I had never tried before. Needless to say, it won't be my last time trying it.

Middle Eastern Bakery

The next place I visited was Middle Eastern Bakery. This cozy spot had delicious pastries, and the smell that hit me as soon as I walked in the door was enough to make my mouth water. I decided to try their manakeesh, which is a traditional Lebanese pastry that's kind of like a pizza, and oh boy, was it delicious! The warm, chewy dough topped with za'atar and cheese was the perfect combination. Not to mention, the selection of sweets was out of this world. I took home a few pieces of their ma'amoul, which are date filled cookies, and they were gone within minutes.

Ingredients

Now, let's talk about some of the ingredients you'll need if you want to make some of these delicious treats at home. Most if not all of the ingredients can be found at the Middle Eastern bakeries and groceries mentioned above.

• Phyllo dough
• Za'atar
• Tahini
• Pomegranate molasses
• Sumac
• Chickpeas
• Bulgur wheat
• Pita bread

Tools

Don't worry, you don't need any fancy equipment to make these dishes at home. Here are a list of tools that will come in handy:

• Baking sheet
• Mixing bowls
• Baking dish
• Rolling pin
• Frying pan
• Parchment paper
• Food processor
• Knife

How to Make

Now, let’s get into the good part - how to make some delicious Middle Eastern dishes!

Baklava

Ingredients:

• 1 pound phyllo dough
• 1 pound chopped nuts
• 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1 tbsp lemon juice

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Mix together cinnamon and chopped nuts.
3. Unwrap phyllo dough and place it on a damp towel to keep it from drying out.
4. Using a pastry brush, butter the bottom and sides of a baking dish.
5. Layer 10 sheets of phyllo dough, brushing each layer with butter.
6. Sprinkle 1/5 of the nut mixture over the phyllo.
7. Repeat the layering process with the remaining dough and nuts.
8. Cut the baklava diagonally into small diamonds.
9. Bake for about 45 minutes, or until golden brown.
10. While the baklava is baking, make the syrup by mixing the sugar, water, honey, and lemon juice.
11. Bring syrup to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
12. Pour the syrup over the baklava as soon as it comes out of the oven.
13. Allow the baklava to cool before serving.

Manakeesh

Ingredients:

• 1 pound pizza dough
• 2 tbsp za'atar
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 cup feta cheese

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 450°F.
2. Stretch the pizza dough into a 9x13 inch rectangle.
3. Brush the dough with olive oil, then sprinkle the za'atar and feta cheese on top.
4. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
5. Remove from the oven, let cool, then cut into squares.

Tips

Here are a few tips to make sure your Middle Eastern dishes turn out perfect:

• When working with phyllo dough, make sure to keep it covered with a damp cloth to prevent it from drying out.
• You can mix za'atar with olive oil to create a dipping sauce for bread or vegetables.
• When working with sticky ingredients like honey or tahini, coat your measuring cup or spoon with cooking spray to make sure everything comes out clean.
• If you're short on time, you can use store-bought pizza dough instead of making your own.
• You can make a big batch of baklava and freeze it for later.

Note

Trust me when I say that you won't be disappointed with any of the Middle Eastern treats mentioned above. They're perfect for a snack, dessert, or even a meal. Get creative and experiment with different spices and ingredients!

Now that you've read about these amazing Middle Eastern bakeries and groceries, it’s time to head over to one (or both) of the locations and try some of these wonderful foods yourself.