Baklava, a staple dessert of MIddle Eastern cuisine,
Lebanon, a mountainous country on the east coast of the Mediterranean sea, reveals the historical influences of Turkey and France in its cuisine. Desserts in Lebanon represent diverse cultural and religious influences. From simple syrup dates to elaborate Ma'amoul, sweet options make delicious use of local ingredients.
Baklava
Baklava or baqlawa, a traditional pastry served throughout the Middle East and Eastern Europe, layers crushed nuts with buttery, unleavened phyllo dough. A sticky honey and citrus syrup binds the filling of walnuts, pistachios or pecans and glazes the top of the pastry. Check local bakeries and Middle Eastern restaurants for this elaborate treat.
Syrup Dates
The Lebanese traditionally consume almond-stuffed dates throughout the day. Pitted fresh dates soaked in a sweet citrus syrup contain a peeled, blanched almond. The dates keep in syrup for a number of weeks, and taste delicious served chilled or at room temperature. Syrup dates commonly accompany hot tea.
Rice Pudding
A common Lebanese dessert, rice pudding typically comes to the table after the midday meal; it's also commonly offered as comfort food to the sick. Cooks sometimes crush the rice before boiling it, especially when the pudding will be served to children. One recipe cooks the rice in a sweetened milk spiced with orange essence and rose water for everyday enjoyment. The pudding can also be flavored with anise and garnished with crushed nuts to commemorate special events, such as the birth of a son.
Ma'amoul
Ma'amoul is a complex, attractive cookie traditionally served in Lebanon during religious observations of Ramadan or Easter, though these popular sweets can be purchased year-round at traditional bakeries. A buttery dough wraps a sweetened filling of ground walnuts, pistachios or dates. Each confection is individually filled by hand and shaped in a Ma'amoul mold, which presses a design into the top of the dessert. After baking, the cookies are garnished with a thick coat of powdered sugar.
Related Posts:
Make Namoura (Lebanese Dessert Snacks)
Honey is a key ingredient for this cake's sweet syrup.Namoura is a traditional Lebanese dessert cake that is made from semolina. It is also known as babousa in Egypt.The cake is very sweet and con...
Lebanese Wedding Gifts
Lebanese wedding gifts may be challenging to find and select.Choosing a gift for a Lebanese wedding may be a challenge, especially if the etiquette for the particular wedding you are attending is...
Lebanese Decoration Ideas
Lebanese houses are airy and bright.Lebanese decor calls for elements with bright vivid colors that blend with more subtle hues that mimic Lebanon's natural geographic features. Whether your style...
Traditional Muslim Wedding Gifts
Islamic calligraphy is an excellent wedding gift.With millions of Muslims living in the United States as our friends and neighbors, it is possible that you may be invited to a Muslim wedding. Wedd...
Lebanese Wedding Hairstyles
Beautiful bride on the day of her wedding.Every bride is beautiful, but it doesn't hurt to have great hair. Even simple wedding hairstyles look elaborate when they're carefully styled and accessor...
