Lebanese! When we think of Lebanese food we think of tabbouleh, hummus, baba ghanoush and baklava (mmmm...baklava) but traditionally there is so much more to this amazing cuisine.
Now similar to the Italian antipasto or the Spanish tapas, the Lebanese serve Mezze .
Very rarely is a beverage in lebanon served without a Mezze platter.
It is a selection of hot or cold small dishes with different varieties of colours, tastes, textures and aromas. It is wonderful if you are like me and like a selection or you can never decide what to order.
Mezze may be as simple as some hummus and bread of some pickled vegetables with baba ghanoush. Then there is the Mezze that consists of all of the above with seafood and lamb, raw and cooked vegetables or salad. All these amazing dishes placed in front of you in one sitting, a foodies delight!
Another great thing about Lebanese food is the sweets.....
Baklava as I mentioned is this delicious sweet pastry layered with crushed nuts and sugar syrup or honey.
Then there is Sfouf, an almond semolina cake seasoned with turmeric,sugar and pine nuts.
Ma'amoul, a small shortbread biscuit filled with dates, pistachios or walnuts, and my personal favourite Meghli a rice pudding spiced with anise, caraway and cinnamon.
Now I bet your thinking where on earth can I get this stuff? Well I have done some research and there is a place right here in the not so sunny melbourne!
It's on north road towards Oakleigh named Oasis Bakery. Not only do they have everything listed above they do cooking classes, coffee equipment, baking ingredients, typical Mezze dishes and oh my gosh the sweets... The baklava is everywhere!!!
There is even a lebanese cafe to sit and enjoy a coffee and lunch.
To sum up or to shut me up this place is brilliant! Great shop, Great Food and Lebanese... Great cuisine!
Oh and thank you whoever invented the Baklava.
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