Arab Meal 101: Manaeesh | Za'atar + Olive Oil 'Pies'

I've been wanting to share this next recipe with ya for a while now for a couple of reasons: 1) it's one of my favorite Arabic snacks/breakfast item + I like to share recipes from my culture! + 2) it literally takes 10 minutes to make including prep + bake time! I'm talking about a little something we Arabs call Manaeesh aka Za'atar pies aka flaky savory goodness! I've talked about Za'atar in the past here on BSOM but for those of you who missed it let me catch ya up on exactly what it is...! 

Za'atar is an Arabic spice that one could describe as kind of a tangy + savory. It typically consists of Roasted Sesame Seeds, Sumac, Thyme, Oregano + Salt, although there are a few variations here + there on the mix. I usually get my Za'atar fix from my local Mediterranean store, but I'm sure an international grocery store will probably have it as it's a popular spice in the Arab world. If you don't feel like buying it just to try it you can always make your own at home, although I haven't personally tried making my own I found this recipe online. Seems pretty legit. Anyways you're goin need some Za'atar for the recipe I'm about to share!

Arab Meal 101: Bamya | Okra + Beef Stew

This is Bamya, an okra + beef stew served over rice. It's a traditional Arab dish that I grew up eating, and still love today. And just like many other family recipes, I had yet to made it on my own, with my mom by my side. I set it as one of my MOTW| 3 goals, and can now check one more accomplishment off the list. This yummy dish was easier than I expected + I'm so glad I finally did! Below is the recipe I've been enjoying since I was a kid, I know you're going to love it as much as I do!

Ingredients:

1 lb. Beef Stew Meat
1 Bag Frozen Cut Okra
1 Can Tomato Sauce
Garlic, minced (+/- 2 cloves)
All Spice
Salt
Pepper
Veggie Oil
Rice

Lemon

Pita Bread

How To:

You may have noticed I did not include exact measurements of some ingredients. My mom knows the spices are right through taste rather than quantity; but I'll give you some pointers along the way.

1 - Put some oil in the bottom of the pan, once hot begin to sear the meat.

- Once seared, add water (enough to completely cover the meat) + bring it to a boil.

- Reduce heat to a simmer, and cook until tender. 

- Remove the meat, but leave the water in the pot.

- tip: As the meat is simmering get your okra + garlic ready.

2 - In a separate pan, place some oil in the bottom and turn up the heat.

- Place the okra in the hot oil and fry until it's slightly crispy.

- remove + place the okra on a plate lined with paper towels.

- Using the same oil brown some garlic.

3 - Add okra, garlic, tomato sauce, all spice (at least 2 T.), salt, + pepper to the meat.

4 - Set the heat to simmer, and let it all cook together for about 20 minutes (although mother says the longer you let it simmer the better it tastes because all the spices get a chance to blend together). 

5 - While the Bamya is doing it's thang simmering away, begin cooking the rice. 

- Once the rice is done, fluff it with a fork.

6 - Serve the Bamya over the rice + garnish with lemon juice. 

Go heavy on the juice, at least I do. I also eat my Bamya with a slice of warm Pita bread on the side.

I hope you enjoy this family dish as much as I do!

I've said it before, and I'll say it again... I believe it is important to learn your family cooking traditions, and the sooner the better! You never know, one day the people who know the recipes may not be around to teach you + these traditions will be gone with them. 
So seize the day!

Until next time friends...Cheers!!!

<3 Noonie

PS: If you enjoyed this recipe check out some of my other favorite Arab dishes: 

Arab Meal 101: Kofta b'tahini (Meat w/ Tahini)

Arab Breakfast 101: Grandma's Fried Eggs, Hummus + Ful

Arab Meal 101: Kofta b'tahini (Meat w/ Tahini)

Ever since I posted Arab Breakfast 101 + realized how much you fine folks loved it I've been meaning to share some more yummy Arab recipes that my family has enjoyed ever since I was a kid right here on BSOM. Well the time has come so here are are, allow me to introduce you to....Kofta b'tahini, or Kofta for short. 

I know the mere title of this may sound a little daunting, but it literally translates to "meat with tahini" + it's actually a really simple dish to put together. Kofta b'tahini is an Arab (specifically Jordanian) traditional dish, it's our version of a "meat + potatoes" kinda meal. It consists of a layer of ground beef, topped with fried potatoes +  a tahini sauce. For those of you out there not familiar with tahini it's basically just a Sesame seed paste, which can be purchased at any Mediterranean store or International market. If you don't want to buy a jar of it just to try it out, you can make your own tahini right at home. Although I have never made my own tahini I found this recipe online for it which seemed pretty legit + super easy to make (a 2 ingredient recipe). Grab your tahini along with the other ingredients below and let's make some Arabic food!

I should mention there are many variations on this dish, but this is how I've enjoyed it all of these years. I should also mention yes I've eaten Kofta since I was a kid + I had some idea of how it was made, but I had never actually made this myself until today! Good ol' mom volunteered to show us how to make this yummy dish, so THANK YOU MOM! :) Since she has made this dish so many times over the years she doesn't measure anything out, so we're goin' eye this one, we're a big fan of 'season to taste' in my family!

Kofta b'tahini  

Prep Time: 10 mins

Bake Time: 40 mins or so

Whatcha Need

* Ground Beef

* Salt + Peppa

* Chopped Onion
* Lemon Juice

* Sliced Potatoes
* Tahini
* White Rice

Lets Make it

* Mix up the meat, S+P + Onion

* Lay down the meat into a 13x9 pan

* Place pan in preheated 325 oven for about 10 mins, once meat is browned on one side,
 flip it + bake another 10 mins or until meat is thoroughly cooked

* While meat is baking slice whole potatoes + fry until they are about 1/2 way cooked,
you basically want them soft + lightly browned + drained
(You can also start your rice while the meat + potatoes are doing their thing)

* Once your meat + potatoes are done, place a layer of potatoes on top of the meat

* Now it's time to bust out the Tahini!

* You'll want enough of this sauce to cover the top of the meat + potatoes

* Warm up the Tahini + lemon juice + water on the stove
You'll want a ratio of about 1/4 Cup Tahini to about 1 Cup of water
As far as an amount for the lemon juice...this dish is supposed to be tangy!
We Arabs LOVE our lemon juice so don't skimpin' on the lemon juice if you want that authentic Arab taste!  
Mix WILL be thin at first, but just keep warming it up + it will thicken up for ya

* Pour Tahini mix on top of meat + potatoes,
place pan back in the oven bake for about 20 mins

* Serve on top of a bed of rice + enjoy!

I've been enjoying this exact dish ever since I was a kid + I hope you enjoy it too!

Until next time friends...Cheers!

<3 Noonie

PSST: If you enjoyed this post check out one of my other favorite Arab dishes: 

Arab Meal 101: Bamya | Okra + Beef Stew
Arab Breakfast 101: Grandma's Fried Eggs, Hummus + Ful

Includes photos + my family recipes! <3

Arab Breakfast 101: Grandma's Fried Eggs, Hummus + Ful

Breakfast is served!

For those of you that don't know me, I'm 1/2 Arab. Yep born in Jordan, raised over here since I was a kid although there were a few times we went back to the "old country" and lived for a couple years. I attended 1st & 2nd grade in Jordan at a private school where my mom was also a teacher. I knew Arabic when I was a kid living there, but as soon as we came back I unfortunately forgot almost all of it.

Although I was raised here I have always eaten Arabic food. My parents are divorced but my mom loved Arabic food so she would cook about 1-2 Arabic meals a week. Although she doesn't have an Arab bone in her body she learned how to cook when we lived over seas and her Arabic food tastes just as good as my dad's cooking (my dad is full Arab). One of my favorite Arabic meals my dad makes is his breakfast, which consists of fried eggs (he cooks them a special way), hummus and ful (pronounced fool) served with Pita bread and hot tea. You know we Arabs love our hot tea.

What makes my dad's cooking so special is that he never spices anything the same way each time he makes it. It's always about the same, but my dad loves to experiment in the kitchen and likes to add new things here and there, which keeps things interesting. Now these fried eggs of his are the same type his grandma would make for him when he was growing up. What makes them so special you ask?? Well here it is.

Grandma's Fried Eggs

Ingredients:

*Frying Pan

* Eggs (Duh)

*Vegetable Oil 

*Flour

*Salt & Pepper

Directions:

1) Heat about 3 Tablespoons of oil in the pan, add about 4-5 Tablespoons of flour, stir.

You want the flour to get brown, but be sure not to let it burn.

2) Once the oil is warm add your eggs.

While the eggs are cooking, spoon the flour/oil on top of the eggs and add your S & P. Continue spooning the hot flour/oil mix on top the eggs while they are cooking until the eggs are cooked to your liking.

Do not flip the eggs while they are cooking.

Serve with Pita bread and enjoy! :)

Of course these eggs are good on the own, but for that traditional Arab goodness pair with hummus & ful. There are plenty of recipes online for good hummus and ful so I won't go into detail about those. But my dad's typical hummus is made with canned hummus, which he adds plain yogurt, lemon juice, salt, and Tahini with Cumin sprinkled on top. His typical ful is made from warmed Fava beans which are mashed, and he adds olive oil, lemon juice, and salt and pepper. He also tops both his hummus and ful with a green spicy sauce which he makes out of jalapenos as well as other ingredients (sorry for the ambiguity but alas I can't give up the recipe for the green sauce) just know that it's good ;)  

Ful! 

My dad loves tomatoes so he occasionally serves some slice tomatoes at breakfast. Of course not just any ol' sliced tomatoes, sometimes he fries them, but he always tops them with feta cheese or blue cheese and serves them with olives. Pretty delish!! 

My dad's tomato concoction

I'm so very glad my dad has taught me how to make these delicious Arabic dishes that I love! I know he won't always be around, as are none of us, so it's nice to learn about these old family traditions while I'm still able to. 

Take advantage & seize the day! It's so important to learn your families traditions while you still can, because one day the few people who know them may not be around anymore + your family traditions will be gone with them.

Until next time...Cheers!

<3 Noonie

PSST: If you enjoyed this post check out my other favorite Arab dishes: 

Arab Meal 101: Bamya | Okra + Beef Stew

Arab Meal 101: Kofta b'tahini (Meat w/ Tahini)

Includes photos + my family recipes! <3