With one of the oldest civilizations on Earth, the Levant region — which covers modern-day nations such as Syria, Lebanon, Iraq and Israel — is rife with culinary history and dishes that are now ubiquitous around the globe (its inhabitants gave the world hummus, after all). Focusing on Syria’s capital city of Aleppo, The Aleppo Cookbook: Celebrating the Legendary Cuisine of Syria ($60, Interlink Books) lets readers who are only familiar with the city via the news to see another side of it. Since coming out in October, the book has been lauded by critics as an essential guide to the food of a country with an uncertain future.
The Book: Beirut, Lebanon-based TV chef and culinary instructor Marlene Matar collected more than 200 recipes from Syrian chefs, home cooks and restaurants that include meze essentials, such as baba ganouj; vegetarian mains, such as pilafs and stuffed vegetables; kebabs; and my favourite, more than two dozen kibbeh recipes (fried spiced meat and bulgar croquettes). Among the food pictures are photographs of shop owners, ancient architecture and everyday city life that give a melancholy feeling of what’s been lost.
The Quote: “It is natural to seek comfort in the fact that, over the millennia, Aleppo has been rebuilt time and again after periods of great turbulence and loss. But when Aleppo reconstructs this time, when its buildings and alleyways are restored, when the sights, sounds and aromas of its souk (markets) are recovered, can the spirit, understanding and know-how that created this heritage of traditional marketplace and cuisine be recovered and preserved as well? Hopefully, this collection of Aleppian recipes can serve as one small contribution to that venture.”
The Tester: It was only in the last year that I really got into Syrian cuisine thanks to catering companies, such as The Newcomer Kitchen at Dufferin and College, and Hamilton’s Karam Kitchen, which are staffed by newly landed Syrian-Canadians.
Recipes I’m Dying to Make: Stuffed Lamb Tongues (tongue has a wonderful, tender texture), Itch (Aleppian tabbouleh that uses pomegranate molasses, cumin and tomato paste), Chili and Garlic Kebabs (spiced lamb kebabs), Saffron Rice Pudding (a celebratory dessert with orange blossom water and saffron).
Basic Fried Kibbeh
The recipe looks long but, start-to-finish, it takes less than an hour. Two to three kibbehs are plenty for one serving, so freeze any uncooked ones and save them for a quick meal later. Pair kibbeh with something acidic, such as plain yogurt with fresh mint, tabbouleh or sliced tomatoes. The book includes baking instructions as an alternative to deep-frying. While both are delicious, the fried version (pictured) has a much prettier golden-brown colour.
Aleppo Spice Mix (Daqqa)
2 tbsp (30 mL) ground allspice
1 tbsp (15 mL) ground cinnamon
1-1/2 tsp (7 mL) ground black pepper
1-1/2 tsp (7 mL) ground nutmeg
1-1/2 tsp (7 mL) ground cardamom
3/4 tsp (4 mL) ground cloves
3/4 tsp Cratosslot (4 mL) ground ginger
Whisk spices together and store in an airtight container.
Makes 1/3 cup (80 mL).
Basic Kibbeh Shells
Fine bulgar (dried, cracked wheat) comes in white and brown varieties and can be found at certain Loblaws locations (the Al Wadi brand is usually the only one available) or Middle Eastern grocers.
2 cups (500 mL) fine white or brown bulgar
8 oz (225 g) lean ground beef or lamb, chilled
1 tsp (5 mL) kosher salt
1 ice cube
1/4 cup (60 mL) coarsely chopped onion
1/4 tsp (1 mL) ground pepper
1 tsp (5 mL) Aleppo spice mix
In a large bowl, rinse bulgar under cold running water until water runs mostly clear. Drain, fill with water again and soak bulgar in cold water for 8 minutes if using white bulgar, 10 minutes for brown bulgar. Drain, squeeze out excess water and set aside.
Pulse meat in a food processor with blade attachment. Add 1/2 tsp (2 mL) salt and ice cube. Continue pulsing to form a smooth paste. Transfer meat to a bowl and refrigerate until ready to use.
Add chopped onion to food processor along with remaining salt. Pulse till finely chopped. Add bulgar a bit at a time and pulse until it forms a paste. Add chilled meat, spices and remaining bulgar to processor. Continue to pulse until a smooth, thick paste has formed. Add a bit of cold water if paste is too thick.
Transfer paste to a large bowl. Knead for one minute. Divide into 12 balls (about 85g each). Cover with plastic wrap and keep refrigerated up to a day, or until ready to use.
Makes 12 kibbeh shells.
Meat Stuffing
2 tbsp (30 mL) vegetable oil
3 tbsp (45 mL) pine nuts
8 oz (225 g) lean ground beef or lamb, chilled
1/2 tsp (2 mL) Aleppo spice mix
1/2 tsp (2 mL) ground allspice
1/4 tsp (1 mL) ground pepper
1/4 tsp (1 mL) ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp (2 mL) kosher salt
2 tbsp (30 mL) chopped flat-leaf parsley
In large skillet over medium heat, heat 1 tbsp (15 mL) oil. Fry pine nuts until fragrant and golden brown, about 1 minute. Pour into a bowl and set aside.
Using same skillet over medium-high heat, add remaining oil and sauté beef till no longer pink. Add spices and stir. Toss in pine nuts. Remove from heat and transfer to a bowl. Stir in parsley. Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary. Set aside to cool to room temperature before covering with plastic wrap and refrigerate up to a day, or until ready to use.
Makes enough stuffing for 12 kibbeh.
To Assemble Kibbeh
Moisten hands with cold water to prevent kibbeh from sticking. Take one kibbeh shell in one hand and create an indentation with thumb of other hand. Keeping hands moistened, rotate ball and continue to widen and deepen indentation with thumb and index finger, creating a hollow shell with thin walls.
Fill shell with 1 tbsp plus 1 tsp (20 mL) of stuffing. Close open end of kibbeh. Roll with both hands to create a smooth egg shape. Repeat with remaining shells and stuffing.
Cook kibbeh as per directions below or freeze for later use.
Makes 12 kibbeh.
To Fry Kibbeh
Fill a heavy-bottomed pot with canola or vegetable oil until it reaches 2 inches deep. Heat oil to 350 F/175 C or till bubbles form around a wooden chopstick when inserted. Lower stuffed kibbeh into oil, careful not to overcrowd pot, and fry until golden brown, about 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels. Repeat with remaining kibbeh. Serve immediately.
To Bake Kibbeh
Preheat oven to 350 F/175 C. Brush stuffed kibbeh with canola or vegetable oil. Place kibbeh on a lined baking tray. Bake for 30 minutes or until kibbeh are browned, flipping once or twice to ensure even cooking. Serve immediately.
karonliu@thestar.ca
karonliu@thestar.ca
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