A T-bone steak is a prime cut of beef that gets its name from the T-shaped bone that divides it. It is cut from a cross-section of the strip loin and the tenderloin, two of the most tender sections of beef.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pound bone-in T-bone steak
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Directions
A half-hour before cooking, remove the steak from the refrigerator. Dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper.
To Pan Sear
Heat a cast iron or large, heavy skillet over high heat. Add oil to the hot skillet and when it begins to smoke add the steak. Reduce heat slightly and cook steak until browned, about 4 minutes on each side or until an instant-read thermometer inserted sideways into the steak registers 120 degrees F for medium-rare.
To Grill
Preheat an outdoor grill. Whether you’re using a charcoal, gas, or electric grill, get it heated to about 500ºF (260ºC). Coat the steak with the olive oil. Place the steak in the hottest part of the grill, usually the middle. For rare, cook it for 2 minutes on each side and then move it to the cooler part of the grill, usually the edges, for another 6-8 minutes. For medium rare add 1-3 minutes and for medium add 3-5 minutes to the total cooking time.
To Broil
Turn on the broiler and heat to about 550ºF (290ºC). Also, position the top rack 5 inches (12 cm) from the top of the broiler. Coat the steak with the olive oil. Place the steak in a grill pan or broiler pan and place the pan on the top rack of the preheated broiler. For rare, close the door and allow the steak to cook for 4 minutes, turn the steak over and cook for another 4 minutes. For medium rare, add 1-3 minutes and for medium, add 3-5 minutes, to the total cooking time.
To Sear-Roast
Turn on the oven and heat to 450ºF (230ºC). Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a cast-iron skillet or another heavy pan on a stovetop burner, over high heat. Place the steak in the hot pan once the oil begins to smoke. Reduce heat and sear on each side for 4 minutes. Remove the skillet from the burner and transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and roast for 6-8 minutes.
Reverse Sear
Preheat oven to 275°F. Place steaks on a wire rack over a baking sheet. Place the baking sheet on the center rack of the hot oven. Cook until the internal temperature reaches 10°F lower than your desired final temperature. Remove and let steaks rest for 5 minutes, covering lightly with foil. Preheat a heavy skillet or cast-iron skillet over high heat until very hot, about 5 minutes. Add the oil and sear steaks for one minute each side.
To Finish
Transfer the steak to a cutting board and let it rest for 10 minutes. Cut steak from the bone and carve meat across the grain. Add a topping if desired.
Toppings:
Cook a sliced onion in butter until soft and golden. Pour over sliced steak and serve.
Make a flavored butter and pour over the finished steak before serving.
Grill whole mushrooms and place them in a dish with melted garlic butter. Pour over the finished steak.
Cooking Guide
| Gas Grill | Charcoal Grill | |
| Rare
1 inch 1 1/2 inches |
8-11 mins 12-15 mins |
8-11 mins 12-15 mins |
| Medium-Rare
1 inch 1 1/2 inches |
10-13 mins 14-17 mins |
10-13 mins 14-17 mins |
| Medium
1 inch 1 1/2 inches |
11-14 mins 15-18 mins |
11-14 mins 15-18 mins |
| Medium-Well
1 inch 1 1/2 inches |
13-16 mins 17-20 mins |
13-16 mins 17-20 mins |
| Skillet | Broil | |
| Rare
1 inch 1 1/2 inches |
11-13 mins 13-15 mins |
11-13 mins 14-16 mins |
| Medium-Rare
1 inch 1 1/2 inches |
13-15 mins 15-17 mins |
13-15 mins 16-18 mins |
| Medium
1 inch 1 1/2 inches |
14-16 mins 16-18 mins |
14-16 mins 17-19 mins |
| Medium-Well
1 inch 1 1/2 inches |
16-18 mins 18-20 mins |
16-18 mins 19-21 mins |
Sub/Po-Boy Rolls
I like to make these sandwich rolls ahead and keep them in the freezer to make sandwiches for dinner or for company. Of course, you can use store-bought rolls also.
Makes 6 rolls
Ingredients
3 cups bread flour
1 Tablespoon dry active yeast
1 Tablespoon granulated sugar
1 Tablespoon vegetable shortening( I use Spectrum)
1 1/4 cups warm water
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
Directions
In a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook combine the flour, yeast, sugar, shortening, and water. Mix on low speed until a dough forms and pulls away from the sides of the bowl. Add the salt and increase the speed to medium; knead for 10 minutes. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and form it into a ball. Lightly grease the inside of the mixing bowl and return the dough to the bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and set in a warm, draft-free space to rise for 1 1/2 hours or until doubled in size.
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and gently deflate the dough. Divide the dough into 6 (about 4-ounces each) balls. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and allow them to rest for 15 minutes. Form each ball into a 6-inch long roll. Place the rolls onto a large parchment-lined baking pan, cover with a damp cloth, and set aside in a draft-free space to rise for 1 hour.
Preheat the oven to 375º F. Bake the rolls until light golden brown, about 25-30 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Freeze in ziplock freezer bags for future use.
Grilled Sausage & Pepper Sandwiches
Serve with a mixed green salad.
Ingredients
Sub (Hoagie) Rolls, homemade or store-bought
10 Italian Sausage links (any type)
Olive oil
2 garlic cloves minced
4 bell peppers (red, orange, yellow and green) seeded and sliced
2 sweet onions, peeled and sliced into rings.
Crushed red pepper
Salt
Directions
Pour 2 tablespoons oil into a large saute pan and add the garlic. Heat the oil and then add the peppers, onions, salt, and crushed pepper to taste, cover the pan, turn the heat to low and let the mixture cook while the sausages grill.
Heat an outdoor grill or stovetop grill pan. Brush the sausage links with olive oil. Turn the heat down to medium-low and grill the sausages for 20-30 minutes or until they reach an internal temperature is 145 degrees F. Split the rolls, brush with oil and lightly grill the cut sides.
Place the grilled sausages in the skillet with the peppers and onions. Heat for a few minutes.
Serve a sausage link in each roll and top with some of the onion and pepper mixture.
Brisket Sandwiches
This sandwich uses leftover BBQ brisket and coleslaw. See the recipes on this post.
Corn-on-the-cob is a great side dish for this sandwich.
Ingredients
BBQ Beef Brisket
BBQ Sauce
Red Cabbage Coleslaw
Sub Rolls
Cheese Slices (white American, white cheddar, or your favorite
Directions
Shred some of the leftover brisket and reheat it, adding additional BBQ sauce.
Lay the bottom of the rolls in a single layer on a baking sheet. Top with sliced cheese and broil until melted, approximately, 1-2 minutes.
Place the desired amount of shredded brisket on top of the cheese covered bread half and add a layer of coleslaw. Place the top half of the bread on top and serve with plenty of napkins.
Serve the brisket with red cabbage coleslaw and baked sweet potatoes or sweet potato fries. Later in the week the brisket and coleslaw will make a delicious sandwich.
Ingredients
Spicy Chili Rub
4 tablespoons paprika
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 tablespoons ground cumin
2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
2 tablespoons table salt
1 tablespoon ground oregano
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 tablespoon ground black pepper
1 tablespoon ground white pepper
2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
Brisket
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 whole beef brisket, about 5 pounds
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 or 2 large onions, finely chopped
BBQ Sauce
2 cups ketchup
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire
1 tablespoon chili powder
2 cloves garlic, minced
Directions
Combine the spice rub mixture and rub olive oil over all areas of the brisket. Then thoroughly coat the brisket with the chili rub. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
Preheat the oven to 350 F. degrees. Place the brisket in a roasting pan and scatter the chopped onion around the brisket. Roast, uncovered, for 1 hour.
Combine the BBQ sauce ingredients in a large measuring cup. Pour the BBQ sauce over the brisket. Cover the baking pan tightly with foil and lower the heat to 300 F degrees. Cook for another 4–5 hours or until fork tender.
Once cooked, slice the meat thinly across the grain and serve with the sauce.
Yield: 8 or more servings.
Red Cabbage Coleslaw
Ingredients
Half of a head of red cabbage, thinly shredded
2 large carrots, shredded
3 large scallions, minced
Dressing
2 teaspoons honey
1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper
1/2 teaspoon celery seed
4 tablespoons mayonnaise
4 tablespoons heavy cream
1 teaspoon white wine vinegar
2 teaspoons lemon juice
Directions
Combine the dressing ingredients in a large bowl with a cover. Add the shredded cabbage, shredded carrots, and scallions. Mix thoroughly. Cover the salad and refrigerate several hours before serving.
Grilled New York Strip Steak
2 servings
Ingredients
Two 10 oz,1 inch thick, grass-fed New York Strip Steaks
2 pats butter
Sauteed onions, recipe below
Steak Rub
1/4 cup kosher salt
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup coarsely ground black pepper (optional)
1 clove garlic, minced
Olive oil
New York Strip Cooking Guide
1 in. thick
Rare 8-10 min.
Medium 10-12 min.
Well 12-14 min.
Directions
Combine the rub ingredients in a small dish.
Take the steaks out of the refrigerator and let them sit on a clean plate or pan for an hour before grilling. Room temperature meat will make for more even cooking.
Rub the steaks with olive oil and follow with the rub.
Preheat an outdoor grill on high for at least 15 minutes. Sear the steaks for 2 minutes for 1-inch-thick steaks. Turn steaks and sear the second side for 2 minutes. Move the steaks to a cooler medium heat to finish grilling according to your likeness. Remove the steaks to a serving platter and place a pat of butter on top. Let rest 5 minutes.
To cook on a stovetop grill: Heat a well-seasoned stovetop grill over a high setting. When hot add the steaks and sear on one side. Turn the heat down to medium and continue cooking for 3 minutes. Turn the steaks with tongs and turn up the heat to high. Be careful not to cut into the steaks while turning them so that you don’t lose any of the juices. Sear the second side of the steaks, then turn the heat to medium and cook for another 3 minutes to medium-rare. Add 2 to 3 minutes per side for more well-done steaks.
Top each steak with onions and serve.
For the onions
1 large sweet onion, cut into thick slices about 1/2″ thick
2 tablespoons salted butter
Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the butter, and cook until the butter melts
Reduce the heat to its lowest setting, and add in the onion slices. Cook for 15-20 minutes or until the onion is golden brown, stirring frequently. Set aside until the steak is cooked.
Mixed Spring Greens Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing
Ingredients
6 cups spring mixed greens
1/2 cup shredded carrot
1/2 cup thinly sliced green bell pepper
1/4 cup thinly sliced celery
1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
1 cup homemade croutons
Ranch Dressing, recipe below
1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
Directions
Toss the lettuce, carrots, bell pepper, celery, and onion together in a salad bowl. Mix in some of the dressing. Add the cheese and croutons with a little more dressing. Toss and serve immediately.
Homemade Ranch Dressing
Ingredients
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons white distilled vinegar
2 cloves garlic minced
2 tablespoons fresh chopped dill
1 tablespoon parsley
1 teaspoon chopped fresh chives
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
Directions
Add all of the ingredients to a small bowl and whisk well to combine. Transfer mixture to a mason jar for storage. Cover tightly and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
After Russia sold Alaska to the United States in the mid-nineteenth century, waves of Russian immigrants fleeing religious persecution moved to the United States. These groups generally settled in coastal cities, including Brooklyn (New York City) on the East coast, and Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Portland, Oregon, on the West coast.
Many of the city dwellers took jobs in factories, often as garment workers. Those who preferred rural living benefited from the Homestead Act and set up farms across the West, while still others worked in mills and mines in the Midwest. Russians contributed their diverse cultural traditions and devout faith (for some Judaism and for others Russian Orthodox) to the places they settled. Unlike immigrants from other countries, few returned to Russia—America had become their homeland.
Emigration was restricted during the Soviet era, however, following the breakup of the Soviet Union, immigration to the U.S. increased considerably. Some Ukrainian Americans, Belarusian Americans, Rusyn Americans along with Jewish Americans, German Americans from the former Russian Empire and the Soviet Union, identify themselves as Russian Americans. According to the Institute of Modern Russia’s 2011 report, the Russian American population was estimated to be 3.13 million.
In 2007 Russian was the primary spoken language in 851,174 homes, according to the U.S. Census. The New York City metropolitan area has historically been the primary place of settlement for Russian immigrants legally admitted into the United States. Brighton Beach, Brooklyn continues to be the most important demographic and cultural center for Russian Americans. However, as Russian Americans have climbed in socioeconomic status, they have moved toward more affluent parts of the New York metropolitan area, notably Bergen County, New Jersey.
Russian cuisine tends toward the starchy side, with plenty of pickling. Grains are a major crop, with rye, buckwheat, wheat and barley commonly used in cooking, especially for bread. Root vegetables like beetroot, potatoes, and onions are also popular ingredients along with mushrooms, sour cream, cabbage, and the ricotta-like “farmers’ cheese”. Classic Russian dishes include Beef Stroganoff, chicken Kiev, beetroot broth, blini, and cheese dumplings.
They prepare a variety of soups, which are almost always served with sour cream. Most famous is borscht, made from beets, cabbage, and meat. In the summer, borscht is served cold. Shchi, also made with cabbage, includes turnips, carrots, onions, and beef. Fish soups are popular, such as solianka, and include onion, tomato, cucumber, lemon, butter, and sometimes beef. Many soups also include potatoes or dumplings. Traditional dark Russian bread is made from rye and Russian meals are accompanied by vodka.
Beef Stroganov or Stroganoff (Russian spelling: бефстроганов befstróganov) is a Russian dish of sautéed pieces of beef served in a sauce with smetana (sour cream). Following its origin in mid-19th-century Russia, the dish has become popular around the world, with considerable variation from the original recipe.
Elena Molokhovets’s classic Russian cookbook, A Gift to Young Housewives, gives the first known recipe for Govjadina po-strogonovski, s gorchitseju, “Beef à la Stroganov, with mustard”, in its 1871 edition. The recipe involves lightly floured beef cubes (not strips) sautéed, sauced with prepared mustard and broth, and finished with a small amount of sour cream: no onions, no mushrooms, and no alcohol. Another recipe, this one from 1909, adds onions and tomato sauce and serves it with crisp potatoes, which are considered the traditional side dish for beef Stroganoff in Russia. The version given in the 1938 Larousse Gastronomique includes beef strips, and onions, with either mustard or tomato paste as an option.
After the fall of Tsarist Russia, the recipe was popularly served in the hotels and restaurants of China before the start of World War II. Russian and Chinese immigrants, as well as US servicemen stationed in pre-Communist China, brought several variants of the dish to the United States, which may account for its popularity during the 1950s.
The version often prepared in the United States consists of strips of beef filet with a mushroom, onion, and sour cream sauce served over noodles. In the UK and Australia, a recipe very similar to that commonly found in the United States is popular, but it is served over rice.
Make a Russian inspired dinner at home.
Beef Stroganoff
Serves 4 (or servings for 2 in parenthesis)
Ingredients
1 (1/2) pound filet mignon or mignon tips (cut into 2 inches long and 1/4 inch wide)
3 ( 1 1/2) tablespoons butter
1 ( 1/2) sweet onion, finely chopped
1/2 ( 1/4) cup beef broth
1 (1/2) tablespoons Dijon mustard
1/4 ( 2 T) cup heavy cream
1/2 ( 1/4) cup sour cream
2 ( 1 ) teaspoons flour
2 (1) tablespoons minced fresh dill
2 (1) tablespoons minced parsley
Salt and freshly grounded black pepper
8 ( 4) ounces medium egg noodles, cooked
Directions
Heat a large non-stick skillet over high heat and sear meat on all sides, for about a minute. Work in small batches so the meat does not give off any liquid. Remove to a plate.
Add the butter and onions and saute until tender.
Blend broth, flour, mustard, heavy cream, and sour cream together. Lower heat, add the liquid mixture, and simmer, without boiling until sauce thickens about 5 minutes.
Return meat to the sauce and heat, without boiling until meat is warmed through. Season to taste with salt and pepper; stir in dill and parsley and spoon over noodles.
Roasted Carrots and Parsnips
Ingredients
2 pounds parsnips
1 pound carrots
2 large shallots
3 tablespoons good olive oil
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons minced fresh dill
Directions
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
Cut the carrots, and parsnips into 2-inch sticks. Cut the shallots into 1/2 inch pieces
Place the cut vegetables on a sheet pan. Add the olive oil, salt, and pepper and toss well. Roast for 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the size of the vegetables, tossing occasionally until the parsnips and carrots are just tender. Sprinkle with dill and serve hot.
I recently roasted root vegetables for dinner and had extra cooked spinach on hand, so rather than reheat the vegetables, I came up with a new way to serve them. The two new dishes complimented pan seared beef tenderloin steaks very well.
Spinach Stuffed Tomatoes
Ingredients
2 large beefsteak tomatoes
1 cup leftover garlic sautéed spinach
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
2 teaspoons Panko bread crumbs
Olive oil
Directions
Cut off a thin slice from the tops of the tomatoes. Scoop out the seeds and center flesh with a small serrated spoon. Sprinkle the insides of the tomatoes with a little salt and turn them over on a paper towel to drain for 30 minutes.
Divide the spinach in half and fill the center of the tomatoes. Top the spinach with 1 tablespoon of grated cheese and sprinkle the bread crumbs on top. Drizzle with a little olive oil.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Oil a small baking dish and place the filled tomatoes in the dish. Bake uncovered for 20 minutes.
Roasted Root Vegetable Puree
Ingredients
2 cups leftover roasted root vegetables (carrots, sweet potatoes, and parsnips)
1-2 tablespoons heavy cream
1 tablespoon butter
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
Directions
Place the roasted vegetables in the processor. Pulse until completely pureed. Add the cream to make a smooth mixture. Place the pureed vegetables in a microwave safe bowl, top with the butter and heat on high for several minutes until the vegetables are hot. Sprinkle on the chives and serve.
Filet Mignon with Cabernet Sauce
Ingredients
2- 6 oz. filet mignon steaks, about 1-inch thick
1/2 teaspoon each salt & pepper
1/4 cup minced shallots
1 tablespoon fresh herbs, such as rosemary or thyme
1 cup Cabernet wine
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Directions
Heat a skillet and add 1 tablespoon butter. Sprinkle the steaks with salt & pepper. Cook filets until desired doneness,4- 5 minutes per side (depending on thickness) for medium-rare.
Remove the steaks to serving plates
Add shallots, cook 1 min, add wine and herbs. Boil for several minutes until reduced. Stir in butter. Pour the sauce over the steaks and serve.
Arab immigrants began coming to the U.S. in sizable numbers during the 1880s. Today, it is estimated that nearly 3.7 million Americans trace their roots to an Arab country. Arab Americans are found in every state, but more than two-thirds of them live in California, Michigan, New York, Florida, Texas, New Jersey, Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Los Angeles, Detroit, and New York are home to one-third of the population.
Arab Americans are as diverse as their countries of origin, with unique immigration experiences that have shaped their ethnic identity in the U.S. While the majority of Arab Americans are descended from the first wave of Christian Arab immigrants, Arab American Muslims represent the fastest growing segment of the Arab American community.
Contrary to popular assumptions, the majority of Arab Americans are native-born, and nearly 82% of Arabs in the U.S. are citizens. While the community traces its roots to every Arab country, the majority of Arab Americans have ancestral ties to Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, Egypt, and Iraq.
Arabic-speaking immigrants arrived in the United States in three major waves. The first wave between the late 1800s and World War I consisted mainly of immigrants from Greater Syria, an Arab province of the Ottoman Empire until the end of World War I. Following the breakup of the Empire, the province was partitioned into the separate political entities of Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, and Transjordan. The vast majority of immigrants in this wave were members of Christian minorities. Although some writers claim that these immigrants left their native countries for religious or political reasons, the evidence suggests that they were drawn to the United States by economic opportunity. Like many economically motivated immigrants during this period, Arabs came to the US with the intention of earning money and returning home to live out the remainder of their lives in relative prosperity. The major exception to this pattern was a small group of Arab writers, poets, and artists who took up residence in major urban centers such as New York and Boston. The most famous of the group was Kahlil Gibran (1883-1931), author of The Prophet and numerous other works.
Unlike the earlier influx, the second wave included many more Muslims. It also included refugees who had been displaced by the 1948 Palestine War that culminated in the establishment of Israel. This period also witnessed the arrival of many Arabic-speaking professionals and university students who often chose to remain in the United States after completion of their training. Immigrants of the second wave tended to settle where jobs were available. Those with few skills drifted to the established Arab communities in the industrial towns of the East coast and Midwest, while those with professional skills headed to the suburbs around the major industrial cities or to rural towns.
A mural inside the lobby of ACCESS that depicts the story of many Arab-Americans making their way to build a community in Detroit.
In the mid-1960s, the third wave of Arab immigration began which continues to the present. More than 75 percent of foreign-born Arab Americans identified in the 1990 census immigrated after 1964, while 44 percent immigrated between 1975 and 1980. This influx resulted in part from the passage of the Immigration Act of 1965 which abolished the quota system and its bias against non-European immigration. The third wave included many professionals, entrepreneurs, and unskilled and semi-skilled laborers. These immigrants often fled political instability and wars engulfing their home countries. They included Lebanese Shiites from southern Lebanon, Palestinians from the Israeli-occupied West Bank, and Iraqis of all political persuasions. But many professionals from these and other countries like Syria, Egypt, and Jordan, and unskilled workers from Yemen also emigrated in search of better economic opportunities. Had conditions been more hospitable in their home countries, it is doubtful that many of these immigrants would have left their native countries.
Arab Americans have a distinctive cuisine centered on lamb, rice, bread, and highly seasoned dishes. The Middle Eastern diet consists of many ingredients not found in the average American kitchen, such as chickpeas, lentils, fava beans, ground sesame seed oil, feta cheese, dates, and figs. Many Arab dishes, like stuffed zucchini or green peppers and stuffed grape or cabbage leaves, are labor-intensive but delicious and healthy.
Arab Americans are probably most known for their restaurants and cuisines found across the country. Many classic dishes coming from the Arab World have become popular dishes for Americans. The dish most famous, of course, is hummus. This simple puree of chickpeas, tahini, lemon, and garlic is served as an appetizer or as a side to grilled meats and vegetables. Sometimes called “street meat” in the U.S., shawarma is another national hit thanks to Arab Americans. Wrapped with garlic and pickles in Arabic bread (pita bread), shawarma has become a great alternative sandwich. Tabbouli, falafel, grape leaves, and kebabs are part of the American cuisine today.
Stuffed Grape Leaves
Ingredients
1/2 cup pine nuts
1 1/2 cups long grain white rice
1 medium onion, minced
1/2 cup fresh minced dill
1/4 cup fresh minced mint
6 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice, divided
1 tablespoon lemon zest
1 3/4 cups vegetable broth
50 large jarred grape leaves
Salt and pepper
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
Fresh mint leaves, lemon slices, and olives (for garnish)
Directions
Place the pine nuts into a skillet and lightly toast them over medium heat until golden brown. Set aside.
Pour ¼ cup of olive oil into a medium pot and heat it. Add the minced onion and sauté until soft. Add the rice to the pot and stir to combine. Sauté for another minute. Pour in ¾ cup of vegetable broth and lower the heat; simmer the rice uncovered for about 10 minutes until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is half cooked. Remove the pot from heat.
Add the minced dill, mint, toasted pine nuts, 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice and lemon zest to the pot of rice. Stir until all the ingredients are well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Let the mixture cool to room temperature.
Fill a large pot with salted water and bring to a boil. As the water is heating, trim the grape leaves by cutting the stems off flush with the leaves. Trim any large, hard veins from the leaves. Place the leaves in the boiling water and let them soften for 3-5 minutes until they become pliable. Drain, then cover the leaves with cold water. Drain the leaves again and pat them dry.
Place a grape leaf shiny (smooth) side down, vein (bumpy) side up, on a flat surface like a cutting board. Place 2 tablespoons of rice filling at the base end of the leaf, near where the stem was. Fold the stem end up over the filling. Fold the edges of the leaf inward. Continue rolling the leaf till it forms a neat rolled package. Squeeze the roll gently to seal.
Repeat the process with the remaining leaves until all of the rice filling is used.
Place the stuffed leaves in the bottom of a deep saute pan. Pack the leaves snugly; as this will help keep the leaves intact as they cook. Make a single layer on the bottom of the pan. When the bottom of the pan is full, make a second layer on top.
Pour 1 cup of broth, ¼ cup of extra virgin olive oil, and ¼ cup of fresh lemon juice over the stuffed grape leaves. Heat the pan over medium until it begins to simmer (don’t boil, or the leaves will start to fall apart). Cover the pot. Let the grape leaves cook for 30-40 minutes. The leaves are finished cooking when they are fork-tender.
Hummus
Ingredients
3 cups (200 grams) cooked chickpeas, drained
1 to 2 garlic cloves, minced
3 to 4 ice cubes
1/3 cup (79 grams) tahini paste
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Juice of 1 lemon
Hot water (if needed)
Extra virgin olive oil
Sumac
Directions
Add chickpeas and minced garlic to the bowl of a food processor. Puree until a smooth. While the processor is running, add the ice cubes, tahini, salt, and lemon juice. Blend for about 4 minutes. Check, and if the consistency is still too thick add a little hot water. Blend until the mixture is a silky smooth consistency. Spread in a serving bowl and add a generous drizzle of olive of and a sprinkling of sumac.
Kofta
Ingredients
1 pound lean ground lamb or beef
3 tablespoons minced onion
2 cloves garlic, grated
1/4 cup parsley, finely chopped
1 ½ teaspoons ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Olive oil, for brushing the grill
Flatbread or pita, for serving
Tzatziki sauce:
1 cup plain Greek yogurt
1/2 cup grated cucumber squeezed dry
1 clove garlic, grated or minced
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon fresh mint or dill (or ¼ teaspoon dried)
Pinch of kosher salt
Directions
To make the tzatziki sauce, mix all of the ingredients together in a bowl. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
For the kofta: Mix the beef, onion, garlic, parsley, coriander, cumin, salt, and pepper together in a large bowl. Divide the mixture into 6 roughly even balls. Mold each ball around the pointed end of a skewer, making an oval kebab that comes to a point just covering the tip of the skewer. If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 15 minutes before threading them.
Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat or prepare an outdoor grill. Brush the pan or grill grates lightly with olive oil. Grill the kebabs, turning occasionally, until brown all over and cooked through about 10 minutes. Transfer to a serving platter and serve with tzatziki sauce and flatbread.
Fattoush Salad
Fattoush is a salad of crisp lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, toasted pita bread, and a sumac dressing. Since I was serving pita with the kofta, I did not include it in my salad.
Serves 4 people
Ingredients
Pita
2 large pitas
1/4 cup olive oil
Kosher salt to taste
Dressing
1 clove garlic minced
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice about 1 lemon
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon sumac
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt or more
freshly ground black pepper to taste
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
Salad
1 head romaine lettuce torn into bite-size pieces
1-pint cherry tomatoes halved
1 English cucumber halved and thinly sliced
1/2 medium red onion thinly sliced and separated into 1/2 circles
1/2 cup fresh mint leaves torn into small pieces
Directions
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Cut pitas in half. Separate the top from the bottom and tear into bite-size pieces. Transfer to a bowl and drizzle with olive oil; toss to coat. Spread on a baking sheet and season with kosher salt. Bake 10 to 12 minutes, tossing once, until crisp and golden brown. Remove from oven and transfer to a bowl to keep from over browning. Set aside.
To make the dressing. In a small bowl combine the first 6 dressing ingredients (garlic through black pepper); whisk until combined and honey has dissolved. Add olive oil in a slow, steady stream, whisking constantly until emulsified. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Combine all salad ingredients in a large bowl and toss gently to combine.
Drizzle dressing over the salad and gently toss to coat evenly. Sprinkle pita over the top and serve.
