A GLOBALISED GUIDE TO THE BEST IN FOOD: COOKING IT, EATING IT AND ENJOYING IT!

Monday, March 10, 2008

Levantine Bits and Bobs


If you want to turn a simple mezze into something altogether more special, there are a few bits and bobs you can slip onto the table that will really lift everything with minimal effort. No mezze is really complete without a dish of olives, and a salad of cos lettuce leaves, tomatoes, cucumber, chillies a pepper and lemon. Here are some other ideas::

Iced Almonds

Soak whole almonds in cold water in the fridge: ideally overnight. The skins take on a beautiful translucence and the almonds soften: serve them chilled, even with a little crushed ice.

Termos

You’ll find these fat little yellow beans, pronounced ‘termous’ lurking in vaccum packed bags the refrigerated section of ‘local’ supermarkets like Co-ops. Watch out for the sell-by date AS They don’t keep for very long fresh and, although you can get them dried, fresh is the way you want them. Give them a rinse and serve them up either as a nibble with drinks or as a dish in the mezze.

Erbs

Serve a plate of mixed leaves up with it all: dill, rocket, basil, tarragon, mint and parsley are good.

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