Middle Eastern Vinegar Food

MIDDLE EASTERN SPICED CHICKPEA SALAD

Steps:

• Combine the Dressing ingredients in a jar and shake. Set aside for 20 minutes to allow the flavours to develop.
• Place chickpeas in a large bowl. Scatter over Spices, then toss to coat. The wetness of the chickpeas will make the spices stick.
• Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pan over high heat and fry the chickpeas for a couple of minutes. Shake the pan so the chickpeas roll, or stir gently (so the spice coating doesn't come off). Transfer into bowl and cool slightly.
• Combine the Salad Ingredients in a bowl. Drizzle with a bit of Dressing and toss. Transfer to serving bowl.
• Top salad with chickpeas (warm or at room temperature). Drizzle with more Dressing. Toss very gently, if desired (don't toss too much otherwise spice comes off chickpeas). Serve immediately.
• Great served with a dollop of yoghurt and pita bread to stuff the salad into.

MIDDLE EASTERN PICKLED TURNIPS

Steps:

• In a medium sized pot, add the water, Kosher salt and bay leaves.
• Heat on medium heat, stirring until salt is completely dissolved, 3-5 minutes.
• Let cool completely then add the vinegar.
• In a large container with a tight fitting lid, add your turnips and beets.
• Add the garlic (this can be a very rough chop, you don't eat the garlic, it is only for seasoning so it doesn't need to look pretty).
• Pour the liquid into the container.
• Let sit for 5 days.
• Before serving, they are best refrigerated.
• The pickles are usually good for about a month (they normally last about a week in our house because I eat them with everything!).

MIDDLE EASTERN VINEGAR

Steps:

• Pour vinegar over herbs. Cover tightly and steep 2-3 weeks.
• Strain into decorative bottle. Add a cinnamon stick for decoration.

MIDEASTERN PICKLES TWO RECIPES TURNIP AND CAULIFLOWER

Steps:

• For the turnip pickles. Brush the turnips clean and remove any spots but keep the colored skin as much as possible. Clean and peel the beet.
• Cut the turnips and beet into 2 inch pieces about 1/4 inch thick. Pack the turnips into a large jar with pieces of the beet placed every other layer. Make the brine with the 5 cups water, 2 1/2 cups white vinegar and the 2 1/2 Tablespoons kosher salt. Heat just until the salt is dissolved, just before boiling. Pour the brine over the turnips and beets, allow to cool, then store in the refrigerator. They are ready to begin eating in a couple days and keep for several weeks.
• For the cauliflower / cabbage pickles. Wash the cauliflower and cut into bite sized pieces. Wash the cabbage and cut into 2 inch pieces. Layer the cauliflower and cabbage, mixed, in a very large jar. Make the brine with the 6 1/4 cups water, 5 Tablespoons kosher salt and 3 1/4 cups white vinegar - AND the 2 1/2 teaspoons curry powder.
• Heat the brine until just the boiling point, then pour over the cauliflower and cabbage in the jar. Allow to cool. Refrigerate. They are ready to eat in a couple of days, and keep for several weeks.

MIDDLE EASTERN SALAD

Steps:

• Whisk olive oil with red wine vinegar, Dijon and salt.
• Stir in lentils, tomatoes, cucumber, onion, garlic and dill or coriander.
• Serve with feta or goat cheese crumbled over top.

BEST MIDDLE EASTERN SALAD DRESSING

Steps:

• Peel and roughly chop the garlic cloves. Sprinkle the salt over the garlic and use the broad side of your knife alternately to squash the garlic and chop the garlic until a thick paste forms. Add that to a half pint sized mason jar along with the remaining dressing ingredients. Screw the lid tightly in place, and shake hard. Refrigerate until ready to dress your salad.

FALAFEL RECIPE

Steps:

• Soak chickpeas overnight in a generous amount of water.
• Drain chickpeas and add to a food processor.
• Add all other ingredients to the chickpeas.
• Process until well mixed and mixture resembles coarse wet sand.
• Use a falafel scooper or shape into balls using your hands.
• Deep fry until golden brown.
• Drain on paper towels.
• Serve while hot.

MIDDLE EASTERN SALAD WITH ZA'ATAR DRESSING

Steps:

• Mix all the ingredients together for the dressing in a small glass bowl.
• Mix the vegetables together in a larger bowl. (I cut the artichokes hearts in half before adding them to the salad).
• Pour the dressing over the salad. Stir to coat then refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving.