Monday, October 17, 2011

Mediterranean Mania!

I've been meaning to do a Mediterranean dinner sometime, and what better way to kickstart the week than with some yummy in the tummy?!!
The menu for tonight is :
  • Hummus
  • Zalouk (A Moroccan Eggplant salad - which is the ONLY form in which i actually LIKE eggplant!!)
  • Mediterranean(ish) Chicken (which doesnt really follow any recipe!)
  • and Pita Bread !! (that I'm MAKING from scratch!!)

    • Hummus 
Ingredients: 600 gm cooked chickpeas
                   3 garlic cloves crushed 
                   (of course, I used more garlic! I LOVE garlic, remember?)
                   100 ml Olive Oil (preferably Extra Virgin)
                    2 tbsp Tahini 
                    1 tsp Ground Cumin (which I skipped!)
                    Juice of 1 lemon
Method:       Blend chickpeas, garlic, olive oil, tahini and lemon juice till smooth. 
                   Add 1/4 th cup water and blend again. Garnish with paprika and olive oil.

  • Zalouk (Moroccan Eggplant Salad)
Ingredients: 1 large eggplant - peeled and chopped
                   4 (or more) large tomatoes - peeled and chopped (I didnt peel them!)
                   3 (or more!) cloves of garlic - minced fine.
                   1/4 cup chopped cilantro
                   1/4 cup chopped parsley (also skipped!)
                   1 tbsp paprika / chili flakes
                   1 tbsp ground cumin
                   1 1/2 tsp salt
                   1/4 cup olive oil
                   1/4 cup water 
                    Lemons (optional, but best if you DID use the lemons!)
Method:       Place all ingredients except the lemon in a pot.
                   Cover and simmer at medium heat.
                   Cook covered for about 30 mins till eggplant and tomato are tender.
                   Mash well. Continue cooking (uncovered) to reduce - upto 30 mins.
                   Stir frequently. Drizzle additional olive oil if required.
                   Squeeze lime over after cooking. Stir. Serve either hot or cold.
  • Pita Bread 
Ingredients:  1 sachet yeast (about 1 tbsp)
                    1/2 cup warm water
                    3 cups flour
                    1 1/4 tsp salt
                    1 tsp granulated sugar
                    1 cup lukewarm water
Method:        Dissolve the yeast in 1/2 cup warm water. Add sugar and stir until 
                    dissolved. Let it sit for 10-15 mins till it turns frothy.
                    Combine flour and salt in a large bowl.
                    Make a well in the middle and pour in the yeast mixture. Slowly add 1 cup 
                    of warm water and stir till the dough is elastic, not sticky.
                    Place dough on a floured surface and knead until it is smooth and elastic 
                    for about 10 - 15 mins.
                    Coat with olive oil and let it sit in a warm place until the dough doubles 
                    in volume - about 3 hours. Once the dough has doubled, roll out as a 
                    rope, pinching off small pieces. 
                    Cover and let the pieces sit for 10 - 15 mins. Preheat oven to 250 C. 
                    Roll out the dough into circles of about 5 -6 inches diameter and about 
                    1/4 inch thick. 
                    Bake for about 3-4 mins till the bread puffs up. 
                    Flip and bake the other side.

So I'm off to knead and punch and chop and dice and mince! Will post pictures soon! :)
   

1 comment:

Kajal said...

Mad mallu! a full on Mediterranean meal!! good you cant see me a-drooling. am yet to try the zalouk recipe you gave so long back. This is definitely inspiration! Thanks! :)