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! :)