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MEDITERRANEAN FEAST


 


Virtual Mediterranean Feast 

We really love the freshness and flavor of the Dishes in this cuisine. Since I am vegetarian, I often do vegetarian ones in this cuisine. Before we go for the recipe here is the small introduction about the Mediterranean cuisine.  This post is really big one hope you all will enjoy for sure.

The Mediterranean can be crudely divided into three culinary regions: North African(especially Morocco), Eastern Mediterranean(Egypt, Greece, Israel, Lebanon, Syria, and Turkey),and southern European(Italy, France, Spain). Wine and herbs are central to southern European cuisine, while spice intricately and boldly flavor North African foods.

Onions, garlic, and Tomatoes, surrounded by olive oil begin many dishes. Eggplants abound, as do squashes, peppers, mushrooms, cucumbers, artichokes, okra, and various greens and lettuces. Legumes like lentil, chickpeas, fava beans are widely used. Fresh herbs like rosemary, basil, cilantro, parsley, mint,dill, fennel and oregano are also included in their cooking. Fish dishes and grilled meats are also common.

It is widely believed that Mediterranean cuisine is particularly healthful. Pita bread, Hummus, and Falafel, Baba Ghanouj are very popular forms of the eastern type of the cuisines.

So I am posting the recipe for these :

1. Hummus - It is basically made of cooked Chick peas(Channa) ground with garlic, Tahini paste (Pure sesame seed paste) and spice powder with the touch of lemon and Olive oil. Used as spreads and Dips. There are various flavour in this and I am posting basic one. Will post different flavours later.
2. Falafel - This is Chickpeas ground with herbs, spice and deep fried to crispy balls. You can have this with pita. Can use as Pattie for the Burgers too.
3. Baba Ghanouj - This is made with Smoked eggplant ground with spices. Used in pitas and also Dips.
4. Tabbouleh salad- Bulgur wheat with more herbs with the hint of lemon and olive oil make this salad so healthy and fresh.



HUMMUS



Ingredients :

Chick peas - 1 1/4 cup
Garlic - 4 cloves
Lemon - 2 to 3 tbsp according to your liking
Tahini Paste - 2 tbsp  (You can also add another 2 tbsp if you want smooth and rich Hummus )
Chili Powder - As required
Salt
Water and Olive oil for Topping.

Method :

1. Soak the chick pea over night, cook in the pressure cooker.
2. Grind with above ingredients to fine paste and just drizzle olive oil and chilli powder on the Top.
3. I generally prefer chunky rather making very fine smooth paste. Do according to your taste.

FALAFEL


Ingredients :

Chick peas - 1 1/4 cup(Soaked Overnight)
Onion - 1 chopped finely
Garlic -1 clove
Parsley - 3 tbsp (washed and finely chopped)
Coriander leaves - 4 tbsp (washed and finely chopped)
Cumin powder - 1/2 tsp 
Coriander powder - 1/4 tsp
Pepper - 1/2 tsp 
Flour - 1 1/2 to 2 tbsp
Salt, Chili powder - 1/2 tsp or as required
Baking powder - 1/2 tsp
Baking soda - a pinch 
Sesame seeds for coating (optional)


Method :

1. Grind the soaked chick peas with garlic and add chopped herbs, flour , baking powder, chili powder and other powders along with salt.
2. Make balls to your desired shape sprinkle the balls with sesame seeds and deep fry in hot oil. Fry till deep brown and crispy.

BABA GHANOUJ


Ingredients :

Egg plant - 1 (Broiled in the oven or direct flame)
Lemon - 2 tbsp
Tahini paste - 2 tbsp
Garlic - 2
Salt
Pepper or chili powder
Roasted cumin powder - just to sprinkle
Olive oil - to drizzle


Method :

1. Just apply oil in the eggplant and grill, or broil in the oven. I do it in the direct flame.
2. Once the skin blackened and soft to touch just keep covered in the container using cling wrap.
3. Peel the skin and grind the flesh with all other ingredients to smooth paste or chunkier as you like.
4. Drizzle with olive oil, chili powder and cumin powder. Adjust the lemon juice according to your sourness.


TABBOULEH SALAD


Ingredients :

Bulgur wheat - 3/4 cup
Hot water - 1 cup
Parsley - 4 tbsp finely chopped
Mint - 4 tbsp
Scallions - 1/4 cup
Tomato - 1 deseeded and finely chopped
Olive oil , Lemon juice , salt and pepper for Dressing


Method :

1. Soak the wheat in hot water for 15 minutes or until the water is absorbed.
2. Add the chopped herbs and dress it with olive oil, salt, pepper and required amount of lemon juice.
3. Refrigerate it and serve chilled with pita.

What you need for arranging the pita :

1. Lettuce
2. Falafel
3. Hummus
4. Baba Ghanouj
5. Salad
6. Sour cream( I usually mix chopped cucumber and tomato with little salt with sour cream)


Method :

Stuff all the ingredients into the pita pocket according to your taste and amount. Enjoy eating !!!!


Note :


For healthier version I use whole wheat pitas too. For small pita just top with all the above items and enjoy.


VineelaSiva  – (September 24, 2009 at 2:43 PM)  

Wow nice feast i love all the dishes.Will try falafel.

Palidor  – (September 24, 2009 at 2:46 PM)  

Your dishes are beautiful! Truly a feast for the eyes and the mouth.

Unknown  – (September 24, 2009 at 2:48 PM)  

Glad to see you back. You made all these dishes in one day! What a feast. I adore the veggie combo from Daphne's Greek cafe whick includes all this. Will try these recipes for sure. Pretty presentation!

Sailaja Damodaran  – (September 24, 2009 at 2:52 PM)  

wow!!!! looks like a feast.Excellent & decoration

Preeti Kashyap  – (September 24, 2009 at 2:53 PM)  

the falafel looks yummy...that is my all time fav dish!

Vani  – (September 24, 2009 at 2:55 PM)  

Love the platter with all the dishes surrounding it.

Priya dharshini  – (September 24, 2009 at 3:33 PM)  

MUST TRY RECIPES..i luv meditterranean food..gud job

Jyoti V  – (September 24, 2009 at 3:53 PM)  

Wow Pavitra looks so wonderful feast..i can ask only one thing..when r u going to call me to your home?

Parita  – (September 24, 2009 at 3:56 PM)  

Very well written !!!
everything is truly feast to eyes!

Saraswathy Balakrishnan  – (September 24, 2009 at 4:09 PM)  

OMG that's a feast on a platter my dear..looks so tempting and lip smacking

Pari Vasisht  – (September 24, 2009 at 4:54 PM)  

Beautiful presentation dear.
You have taken lot of pains to prepare so many things in a day and then more hardwork goes into presenting it so beautifully. I love all the preparations.
Great job done.

Home Cooked Oriya Food  – (September 24, 2009 at 8:17 PM)  

Lovely spread dear. I love hummus, falafel and pita bread. The other 2 looks yum - I am ready to try...
All the best with kids school - thats always more important...

Jeyashris Kitchen  – (September 24, 2009 at 8:23 PM)  

hats off to ur patience for making so many items and arranging it so nicely.Picture too looks super.that chick peas fried balls looks tempting.will try it soon

Tulip  – (September 24, 2009 at 9:08 PM)  

wow... what a spread !! great job :) i haven't had hummus till now...but filling like having some right now after seeing your feast :) falafel looks yummy !! :)

Shri  – (September 24, 2009 at 9:20 PM)  

Lovely spread, Pavithra!Did you make these in a day?

Sanghi  – (September 24, 2009 at 9:28 PM)  

Wow.. all are delicious! Yummmy! All the dishes are healthy and yumm!

Padma  – (September 24, 2009 at 9:40 PM)  

Such a lovely spread... each dish looks so tempting... esp loved falafel... so tell me when can I knock ur door :)

Nithya  – (September 24, 2009 at 10:05 PM)  

Wow this is awesome. :) I had planned to make Hummus and Pita bread this sunday. :) Anyways will post it later only.. It was a surprise to see it here all at ones. ;) Anna should have had a great feast. :)

Divya Rao  – (September 24, 2009 at 10:05 PM)  

Wow what an effort! Looks delicious!

kitchen queen  – (September 25, 2009 at 12:14 AM)  

yummy pictures and recipes.Its wonderful and full of detail.

Anonymous –   – (September 25, 2009 at 12:19 AM)  

wat a feast-for the eyes and the taste buds.

chef and her kitchen  – (September 25, 2009 at 12:24 AM)  

wat a mindblowing feast dearie..feeling like grabbing that pita bread from the screen....I just love hummus and can empty bowls n bowls of it with one pita..:)

Urmi  – (September 25, 2009 at 12:52 AM)  

All the dishes looks yummy and delicious. Beautiful presentation with lovely pictures.
Please accept your award from my blog.

iRaw  – (September 25, 2009 at 1:00 AM)  

It all looks amazingly delicious! You always have such lovely presentations.

Unknown  – (September 25, 2009 at 3:01 AM)  

Well come back dear. Woooooooooow what a plater every thing looks so so so perfect and mouthwatering.

Aps Kitchen  – (September 25, 2009 at 4:17 AM)  

I thought we get the best falefal here...but after luking at ur spread i feel m wrong... i must try at home :)

Priya Suresh  – (September 25, 2009 at 7:19 AM)  

WOnderful spread of delicious mediterranean feast Pavithra, am just craving for falafel and urs looks really tempting..

Sarah Naveen  – (September 25, 2009 at 7:30 AM)  

A gorgeously yummy Treat dear!!!
looks so fresh fresh!!!

Nandinis food  – (September 25, 2009 at 8:32 AM)  

Lovely spread! Really a virtual feast!

Malar  – (September 25, 2009 at 9:33 AM)  

wowwww.......nice dishes...i like your docor..

Malar  – (September 25, 2009 at 9:37 AM)  
This comment has been removed by the author.
Malar  – (September 25, 2009 at 9:39 AM)  

I am a fan of ur decorations ...
awesome :)

Gita Jaishankar  – (September 25, 2009 at 9:59 AM)  

Wow Pavithra....thats an awesome feast...love the pita "bowl" :)

Raje  – (September 25, 2009 at 10:51 AM)  

Wow thats one feast!! wonderful presentation as always Pavithra...

Reeni  – (September 25, 2009 at 12:08 PM)  

What a gorgeous spread of food!! Everything looks fabulous - especially my favorite falafel!

Menaga Sathia  – (September 25, 2009 at 12:57 PM)  

அசத்திட்டீங்க பவித்ரா.எல்லாமே சூப்பரா இருக்கு.அதுவும் எனக்கு பிடித்த பிலாபில்..ஒரு ப்ளேட் பார்சல் ப்ளீஸ்...

Gina; The Candid RD  – (September 25, 2009 at 1:39 PM)  

Hello! Thanks so much for stopping by my blog :) Your recipes are all sounding amazing to me. I LOVE falafel, and hummus. I don't eat it enough though, I should!

Unknown  – (September 25, 2009 at 1:50 PM)  

Lovely feast, hope your Son is having a nice time in school.

Rosa's Yummy Yums  – (September 25, 2009 at 2:31 PM)  

OMG, I love Middle Eastern food! Everything looks so delicious! A real feast!

Cheers.

Rosa

Vikis Kitchen  – (September 25, 2009 at 4:51 PM)  

Mediterranean food at home! You are so creative dear. Looks like a 5 star hotel food to me:) Nice presentation.

chakhlere  – (September 25, 2009 at 5:25 PM)  

Wooww!! I am so big fan of lebnese food!! Specially what all you have mentioned are my favorite. Loved the way you have presented.

Amazing !! Really great!!

Pam  – (September 25, 2009 at 7:00 PM)  

Yum. Everything looks so delicious - I can't wait to try making this feast.

Raks  – (September 25, 2009 at 7:51 PM)  

Thats indeed a feat! Both looks great!

R.Gopi  – (September 26, 2009 at 7:29 AM)  

//1. Hummus - It is basically made of cooked Chick peas(Channa) ground with garlic, Tahini paste (Pure sesame seed paste) and spice powder with the touch of lemon and Olive oil. Used as spreads and Dips. There are various flavour in this and I am posting basic one. Will post different flavours later.//

This is prime food for the Arabians here in Middle East...

I have tasted it once Pavithra..

Romba nallaa irukkum....

Vrinda  – (September 26, 2009 at 9:11 AM)  

Lovely feast Pavitra,totally new to me except hummus..
Abt my cake..the name was written on top dear,i think u missed it,thas fine,the cake was Carrot cake with maple buttercream frosting...Thanx for the wishes..

Abhilash  – (September 26, 2009 at 2:06 PM)  

I hope for me tabbouleh sald will be the easiest one. all ingredients are available in the " More" store nearby.

This appears a possible dish for me.

I appreaciate your effort to post three dishes in a single post.

Is it suitable to indians :)

Kidding...

Indians are everywhere and I hope this suits them too...

Anyway I can try it tomorrow... as it is sunday. Also can accept problems raised by stomach..

:)

LifenSpice  – (September 26, 2009 at 3:59 PM)  

Lovely presentation as always! And it looks like a great feast with so many dishes.

Sreelekha Sumesh  – (September 26, 2009 at 5:33 PM)  

Hello Pavithra..

First time here.. Beautiful presentation..very nice.all

Sushma Mallya  – (September 27, 2009 at 2:13 AM)  

Its really a feast to my eyes...lovely dishes and superb presentation as usual pavitra...

Arabic Bites  – (September 27, 2009 at 10:22 AM)  

Hi,
Thank you so much for the comment on my blog :)
Everything looks so delicious here ;)

Sandhya  – (September 27, 2009 at 5:45 PM)  

OMG.... wow wat a feast... I m totally enjoying reading your blog now..
Need to get my hands on in INternational Cusines.. from one of your blogs..
I will follow your blog from now on...

C u more often...
Keep coming over too..

Anita  – (September 27, 2009 at 7:12 PM)  

That looks like a great feast - I would love to visit your place :P hehehe

Veggie Belly  – (September 27, 2009 at 10:12 PM)  

youve made all the mediterranean essentials here! i could eat this spread for days together!

Anonymous –   – (September 27, 2009 at 10:24 PM)  

WOW what a delightful feast! Do you pack this for your son's lunch too? Hee hee!

lynn  – (September 27, 2009 at 10:38 PM)  

wonderful feast! thanks for all the recipes.

my kitchen  – (September 28, 2009 at 12:49 AM)  

Nice feast & Beautiful presentation

Astra Libris  – (September 28, 2009 at 9:49 AM)  

Thank you so much for visiting my blog! I'm so glad you brought me to your beautiful blog! I am SO impressed by your gorgeous Mediterranean meal - all your dishes are SO beautiful! Falafel with hummus is my favorite meal of all time!

Tina  – (September 28, 2009 at 10:06 AM)  

Wow..its really a feast...Looks delicious.....

San!!!  – (September 28, 2009 at 10:33 AM)  

Hi,thanks for your feedback.Well you have filled your blog with delicious recipes which are tempting to eat as well as to try.Awaiting for more:)

Anonymous –   – (September 28, 2009 at 1:40 PM)  

hey i have somethin for u at my blog

http://munchcrunchandsuch.wordpress.com/2009/09/28/verkadalai-sundal/

Jyoti V  – (September 28, 2009 at 5:17 PM)  

Happy Vijaydashami /Dasara to you and your family.

Rush  – (September 28, 2009 at 8:28 PM)  

i love mediterranean like crazy and looking at how all ur dishes have come out...i must say...pro hands at work lady!! seriously!!

Anonymous –   – (September 29, 2009 at 12:31 AM)  

wonderful pavi..

cheers,
ammu.

Srikitchen  – (September 29, 2009 at 3:59 AM)  

all the dishes looks too delicious!
do visit my blog when u find time!

Usha  – (September 29, 2009 at 6:29 AM)  

Wow what a spread, everything looks fabulous....

Lena Jayadev  – (September 29, 2009 at 7:06 AM)  

that was a visual treat Pavi...really glad to see u back..hw u made all these?? same day means i will buy a trophy n will come to see u.. :)and as usual wonderful presentation.. :)

Shri  – (September 29, 2009 at 8:21 AM)  

Such a fantastic spread, Pavithra!Looks totally delicious!

Mythreyi Dilip  – (September 29, 2009 at 4:04 PM)  

Wow! never had Mediterranean feast, looks great, will try this. Thanks for sharing:)

Unknown  – (September 29, 2009 at 5:12 PM)  

wow!!I love the way u prepared the feast.....Looks so acurate &delicious
Ur style of cooking is very nice ....

Anonymous –   – (September 30, 2009 at 12:15 AM)  

டாஹிணி பேஸ்ட் நா என்ன பவி?வெஜ்ஜா அது?


அன்புடன்,

அம்மு.

jayasree  – (September 30, 2009 at 3:14 AM)  

Wow... indeed a virtual feast. Good writeup on the cuisine too.

Shobana senthilkumar  – (September 30, 2009 at 8:19 AM)  

Hi ,
wow...wat a variety of spread...these dishes needs lot of work dear...i am sure it will taste yum

Simply Spices  – (September 30, 2009 at 8:44 AM)  

Falafel is one of my favorite.Thanks so much for stopping by my blog :)

Namitha  – (September 30, 2009 at 8:28 PM)  

Oh my...That's indeed a feast :-) Very nice pics too. Thanks for visiting us. Will be back often...

prasu  – (September 30, 2009 at 9:20 PM)  

Thank u for dropping by my blog and leaving ur superb comments......u have a nice space and very yummy recipes.....ur MEDITERRANEAN FREAST...looks so yummy....I'll be visiting fequenty....

Sree vidya  – (October 1, 2009 at 1:08 AM)  

wow!
everything looks yum yum
The presentation is awesome
Did u make everything together?

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