My younger sister and I are practically in constant contact. She is half a world away from me in Dubai, but we use all forms of communication whether it is Blackberry messenger, MSN messenger, Facebook, Twitter, Gmail chat, and Skype to keep in touch. Sometimes we have multiple conversations going on at the same time through these various messaging programs. We are even known to chat with each other online while in the same room. When we all come to my parents’ house we call our dining room table the “IT Center.” My sister, my husband, my sister’s fiancé, my cousin, Henna, and myself all have our laptops open on the table doing our own thing and also chatting with each other. If anyone else ever walked in, I’m sure they would think we were not completely “normal.”
The reason I mention these vast forms of communication is because my sister has been asking me to make a Middle Eastern platter, so my husband and I can eat the same sorts of things she is enjoying in Dubai. For the past few weeks, she has been messaging me about labneh (thickened yogurt cheese) and if I bought it yet. My answer is always no, because I can’t get any in Kingston. So, she told me to make it. My attempt to make it failed miserably, because I went to the only kitchen supply store in Kingston to get cheesecloth to drain the water out of yogurt and they were sold out and would not be getting any more for two weeks. I told her this and she was quite upset. As you can see, we are extremely passionate about food.
The first thing we ask each other everyday is what did you eat so far today. Notice, the “so far” because we are never really done eating. You can imagine my sister’s joy when I told her we were going to Toronto for the weekend. The first thing she said was if I was going get the things for the Middle Eastern platter. I got reminder after reminder, just in case I could ever forget. My husband tells me to shut the sound off on the BB because of all the alerts I get from my sister’s chats. When I finally was able to go to the Middle Eastern market, I was on BBM with my sister. Mind you, I am not the type of person who is constantly on my BB, it’s not even mine, it’s my husband’s and I borrow it when I want to talk to my sister. I actually get annoyed when people are out with you and spending more time with their phone than you. Eating my own words, I became that person in the Middle Eastern Market. I wasn’t paying attention to anyone around me and just in search of what my sister was telling me to get.
I love Middle Eastern food, so I enjoyed this “quest .” I have not travelled extensively in the Middle East, only to Egypt and the UAE, though I would love to. I went to Dubai recently and the food there was just amazing. Ever since my return from Dubai, I have been hooked on it. My husband also grew up in Saudi Arabia, so he has the taste for Middle Eastern food as well.
As I mazed through the market, I filled my cart with all sorts of different foods. I stocked up because some things are hard for me to find here. My sister, half way across the world was content with my purchases and satisfied with the incognito pictures I was taking of the cheeses, olives, nuts, and sweets.
The thing I love about this food is that it is fresh and easy. I didn’t do much cooking at all, it was all just assembly. A platter like this is fun to serve as an appetizer when you have people over because it is like a bounty of food in the middle of the table for everyone to share. Individually plated formal dinners can be nice too, but there’s nothing like breaking bread together and enjoying fresh delicious food.
Middle Eastern Platter
There are no set rules here. Use whatever you suits your taste-buds This time I used a bunch of radishes, Lebanese cucumbers, mint, tomatoes, lemons for squeezing, grilled sujuk sausages, labneh topped with za’atar olive oil and pine nuts, Lebanese black olives, shanklish rolled in thyme, sumac, and oregano, crusty grilled bread drizzled with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Other options could include herb roasted nuts, dried fruits such as apricots and dates, phyllo pastries, hummus and other dips, salads such as fattouch, tabouleh, halloumi cheese, manakeesh, roasted vegetables, mixed greens.
Use a large platter and bunch the different items together in clusters and arrange everything in an attractive manner. Let it be messy and organic. I do not like a platter to look too perfect.
OMG, that plate looks gorgeous, Nadia. Beautiful food, and beautifully photographed as always. Some of my favorite food memories from my travels are on that platter. Your zatar looks just like the stuff I have at home. I’m with you on the messy and organic thang!
Thanks so much, Bria! love this kind of food too, effortless and delicious! I had a hard time with these pictures, not as clear as I wanted them to be, wanted to throw my cam against the wall, hehe.
Wow, I’d never know you had a hard time with the pics just looking at them. They look great!
Mmmm…your photos always make my mouth water! What are those little colorful balls with the pale centers? They look yummy!
You know, I still remember eating with you at your house when we were in high school. In particular, I remember something spicy, pickled & yellow-green in a jar that was amazingly good, but I can’t remember what it was called. Do you know what I’m talking about?
Thanks so much, Sarah! The colorful balls are semi- soft sheep’s milk cheese rolled in sumac, oregano, and spices.
I think you are talking about achaar. It is pickled vegetables/fruits like carrots, chilies, limes, mango, garlic etc. There are several varieties, I don’t remember which kind you had. Living in New York, I’m sure you can find them in any Indian/Pakistani Grocery store. I like the brands, Ahmad or Mitchell’s. Even Patak is good, the green chili one. But be prepared because they are spicyyyy. 🙂
I was smiling from ear to ear reading your post! First of all, so funny the way you communicate with your sister! I can relate a bit because I call my kids on their cell even when they are home with me!
Anyway, the platter looks magnificent! One thing I wanted to add is you can easily make labneh by using a sieve and a coffee filter. I do it on a weekly basis that way and it is easier than washing the special calico bag I brought back with me from Beirut!
The cell phone or internet is the only way to get people’s attention nowadays. If we are all at my parents house and I go into my sister’s room to talk she says go into your room and talk to me online. Funny.
I am sure the platter is no where close to something you would prepare, but I tried :). Thank you so much about the tip about the coffee filters, much easier and disposable. I will try it, do you just you regular yogurt?
i can so relate to everything you have written, i am exactly like this with my sisters- from the BBM’ing to the husb saying shut the sound off to the food conversations- so lovely! pl describe photo#4 in detail, Nadia. and even though youre a great cook- i was going to suggest you get more ideas from my friend Joumana’s blog- but it seems she is already reading your blog and you both know each other! small foodie world,no? 😉 a gorgeous spread, Nadia. love it. x shayma
Thanks, Shayma. I never missed not having any brothers because my sister and I were so close and have very similar tastes and interests. We let each other know every minute and unimportant detail of our day.
Yes, I know Joumana, I think through Bria’s blog. I love her site, and I could learn a lot from her. She has great expertise.
It’s a really nice foodie world, especially the people from our parts of the world.
I will put a caption on the 4th photo, thanks for pointing that out. 🙂
Hee hee, it is a small foodie world, isn’t it? So glad we all “met” online.
yes, glad to have met all of you! 🙂
oooooh finally! this is the post I was waiting for!!!! I bet ebay is jealous he is not the center of attention for once! right husbo??
the platter looks amazing, better than any ones in hallab or mezza house here in dubai
I am coming to kingston when I come back to USA and start missing arabic food! lol
Shankleeesh is so good btw! And the balls look so vibrantttttttttttt
thanks for thisss!
As long as I get to eat the food I’m willing to share…otherwise most definitely not!
he was prob super jealous. he’s a big time attention wh%$e. lol
and this does not look better than Hallab to me!
can’t wait for you to come, we’ll go to MTL for sureee!
I love the platter Nadia!!!! Everything on the platter looks so fresh:)
thanksss, go to the Middle Eastern mkt and make it!
Beautiful Spread! I love these types of spreads you get at homes in the Middle East. And shankleesh is wonderful. Yum!
Nadia the platter looks delish ! So many flavors and colors …
cant wait for you to be here and go out for Middle Eastern food together ..
I’m sure it’s nothing compared to the platters in your house!
Nadia, I love the Middle Eastern Spread, it looks so good! I have to try shankleesh…never had it!!!
Thanks, Sara. Look for shanklish in the Middle Eastern store, it’s so yummy.
WOW!
ok weirdo hehehehheeh
Middle eastern food?
WOW. Just WOW!
Thanks!
That platter looks fabulous! The cheese is so pretty – so colorful. I think I’m going to steal your idea for my next party. They do say that imitation is the greatest form of flattery. 🙂
thanks, Sue! Steal away, that is why I post recipes, so people can try them out and hopefully like them. 🙂
Reblogged this on 'Twas Meant To Be…. and commented:
After watching “The Shahs of Sunset”, I often find myself craving the delicious nibbles and bites of the amazing spreads they seem to always have on the ready should a visitor arrive. I love tasting dishes from foreign countries (w/o meat-so many great substitutions are available), and I do so enjoy taking my sweet time nibbling…really enjoying the company of friends. This is a spread that would be perfect for *girls night*, family get-togethers, or an intimate meal for 2….♥