The Ultimate Guide To Lebanese Cuisine, a Rich and Distinct Food Culture

Image used with permission by copyright holder

The food culture of Lebanon is rich and resonant, reflecting both its Mediterranean setting and deep anthropological history.

Contents

The History of Lebanese Cuisine
The Regions of Lebanese Cuisine
Core Dishes
Lebanese Cuisine in America

Even those who have never trekked to Beirut — let alone their local Middle Eastern eatery — are likely familiar with a few of the staples. Lebanon, once a major part of the Ottoman Empire, is the birthplace of earthy dishes like baba ganoush and sweet treats such as baklava.

The History of Lebanese Cuisine

Lebanon culinary tradition is shaped by multiple factors that have unfolded over thousands of years in the Eastern Mediterranean, otherwise known at the Levant. The country has seen its share of foreign rulers, from Egyptians and Persians to the Romans and even the French. Lebanon was not an independent country until 1943 and the lasting legacy of international oversight has rubbed off on its culinary ways.

What ended up on the table was an ever-evolving mix of longstanding customs and new dishes offered by the powers that be. The Ottomans introduced Lebanon to lamb while the French prescribed pastries like flan and croissants. Meanwhile, core dishes like flatbread, hummus, and various riffs on shawarma persisted as the backdrop of Lebanon’s decidedly eclectic table.

The Regions of Lebanese Cuisine

Keep in mind that Lebanon is quite small, around two-thirds the size of Connecticut. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t regionality associated with its cooking. Much of the country resides along the Mediterranean coast, meaning ample seafood options and a warm climate that’s inviting for olive trees and fruit orchards alike.

Inland, it’s quite mountainous, full of foothills, peaks, and fertile lowland valleys. Here, you’ll find a lot of the livestock and produce that goes into the culinary scene. Generally, the southern stretch of the country is synonymous with kibbeh, a classic and comforting dish made from beef, bulgur wheat, pine nuts, mint leaves, and other spices. The northern part is more widely known for its sweets while meat pastries are very popular in the agricultural eastern wing of Lebanon.

Core Dishes

Mezze Image used with permission by copyright holder

Frankly, there are too many fantastic Lebanese dishes to mention here. But there are some core creations we’d be remiss not to bring up. This is the Mediterranean, so olive oil is king. It’s slathered on fresh produce and breads and applied to poultry, beef, and lamb before grilling.

As you ease into a meal, you’re likely to begin with some mezze. Think of it as the Lebanese version of tapas. These small plates usually include staple salads like fattoush or tabouli and baba ganoush, flatbread, and pickled vegetables. There might also be sarma, or stuffed grape leaves, marinated seafood, and some form of fried chickpeas.

Entrees generally consist of hearty options like stews, otherwise known as yakhneh. Bean stews are popular, as are those made with okra and tomatoes. Another stew fixture is mulukhiyah, made from chicken, beef, and mallow leaves and dressed with vinegar and raw diced onions. Manaeesh is like Arab pizza, a light dough hit with meat, herbs, and cheese. Vegetarian options are also immensely popular, like moussaka, a mix of fried eggplant, and chickpeas in an onion and tomato sauce.

Lebanese Cuisine in America

Most major cities tout at least a handful of solid Lebanese or Lebanese-inspired options. You get at least a taste of this at regional Middle Eastern joints and markets and, with a little digging, can find an even clearer example of Lebanese cuisine.

There are classic spots like Hayat’s Kitchen in Los Angeles and a plethora in places like suburban Detroit, where many Lebanese have emigrated to. Places like Dearborn, Michigan are about a third Arab, paving the way for area institutions like Al Ameer.

“I love the natural basic ingredients we use in our cuisine. The organic olive oil, fresh herbs like thyme, basil, mint, and parsley,” says Hilda Dibe, second-generation owner of Nicholas in Portland. “We source most of our ingredients locally and import certain items from Lebanon like our tahini.”

Dibe says her tabouli best demonstrates the Lebanese palate, full of freshness thanks to Italian parsley, mint, quinoa, tomatoes, olive oil, and just-squeezed lemon juice. There’s a hospitality angle too, something she picked up from her dad and the restaurant’s namesake. Dibe says he considered his restaurant his house and would greet diners with complimentary Turkish coffee and conversation at the end of meals. Nicholas was known to greet farmers and shop owners with his tabouli and hummus every time he was out collecting ingredients.

Another important aspect that Americans are getting to enjoy more of is the country’s wine. Our collective and ever-curious palate is taking us to faraway wine hotspots like Israel, Georgia, and Lebanon. While the national drink is Akra, an anise-based spirit, there’s a flourishing wine scene in Lebanon that was popularized in the 1970s but is technically one of the oldest on the planet.

Hibe like the work of Chateau Ksara from the Bekaa Valley, especially with kebabs.

“The Chardonnay especially complements the garlic found in the kebab marinade,” she says. “The wine is grown at altitude and fermented and aged “sur lie” [on the lees] in new oak. It is full-bodied, complex, fresh and creamy with citrus, stone fruit, and savory notes.”

Okra in Lemon-Cilantro Sauce

Okra Cilantro Dish — Dan Perez Image used with permission by copyright holder

From the forthcoming cookbook The Arabesque Table by Reem Kassis, this recipe holds a Lebanese lens up to a Middle Eastern vegetable dish. As Kassis says, it’s inspired by the Lebanese custom of finishing a stew with cilantro and fried garlic. “This okra dish works perfectly as part of a mezze, as a side to meats, or even as a simple vegetarian meal served with bread,” Kassis tells The Manual.

Method:

Preheat the oven to 450 F.
Wash the okra, pat dry, and trim away the stem ends.
In a bowl, toss the okra with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon of the salt. Arrange on a sheet pan in a single layer.
Roast in the oven, tossing periodically until the okra starts to brown and blister in parts and develops a nice seared aroma, 15-20 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside.
In a large frying pan, heat the remaining 4 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic, chili, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook until fragrant but not browned, 2-4 minutes. Add tomato (if using), cilantro, and chili flakes and cook for another minute.
Tip in the roasted okra, tossing evenly to combine, then pour in the lemon juice along with 2 tablespoons water. Give one final stir, then remove from heat and serve.

Lebanese Style Lamb Kabobs

This recipe comes courtesy of Nicholas Restaurant, a small chain of three Lebanese and Mediterranean restaurants in Portland dating back to 1986. Here, mint is used to ease the flavor of the lamb and freshen up some of the gamey flavors.

Ingredients:

2.5 pounds of lamb legs cut into 1 1/2 inch cubes
2 teaspoon of salt
2 teaspoon of black pepper
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon allspice
.5 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon cumin
.5 teaspoon coriander
.5 teaspoon nutmeg
1 cup of fine chopped mint
.25 cup extra virgin olive oil