Lebanese cuisine includes an abundance of starches, fruits, vegetables,
fresh fish and seafood; animal fats are consumed sparingly. Poultry is
eaten more often than red meat, and when red meat is eaten it is usually
lamb on the coast and goat meat in the mountain regions. It also
includes copious amounts of garlic and olive oil, often seasoned by
lemon juice.
Rarely a meal goes by in Lebanon that does not include these
ingredients. Most often foods are either grilled, baked or sautéed in
olive oil; butter or cream is rarely used other than in a few desserts.
Vegetables are often eaten raw or pickled as well as cooked. While the
cuisine of Lebanon doesn't boast an entire repertoire of sauces, it
focuses on herbs, spices and the freshness of ingredients; the
assortment of dishes and combination are almost limitless. The meals are
full of robust, earthy flavors and, like most Mediterranean countries,
much of what the Lebanese eat is dictated by the seasons.
In Lebanon, very rarely are drinks served without being
accompanied by food. One of the more healthy aspects of Lebanese cuisine
is the manner or custom in which their food is often served, it's
referred to as mezze. Similar to the tapas of Spain and antipasto of
Italy, mezze is an array of small dishes placed before the guests
creating an array of colors, flavors, textures and aromas. This style of
serving food is less a part of family life than it is of entertaining
and cafes. Mezze may be as simple as pickled vegetables, hummus and
bread, or it may become an entire meal consisting of grilled marinated
seafood, skewered meats, a variety of cooked and raw salads and an
arrangement of desserts.
Although simple fresh fruits are often served towards
the end of a Lebanese meal, there is also dessert and coffee. Baklava,
which is usually associated with Greek cuisine, is also a popular
Lebanese dessert. The main difference between the Lebanese variety and
its Greek cousin, is Lebanese baklava often contains pistachio nuts and
is drizzled with a rose-water syrup, the Greek variety usually contains
walnuts and honey.
History
A unique cultural history has helped to make Lebanese food
the most popular of all Middle Eastern cuisines. For most of its past,
Lebanon has been ruled by foreign powers that have influenced the types
of food the Lebanese ate. From 1516 to 1918, the Ottoman Turks
controlled Lebanon and introduced a variety of foods that have become
staples in the Lebanese diet, such as cooking with lamb.
After the Ottomans were defeated in World War I (1914–1918),
France took control of Lebanon until 1943, when the country won its
independence. During this time, the French introduced some of their most
widely eaten foods, particularly treats such as flan, a caramel custard
dessert dating back to the 1500s, and buttery croissants.
The Lebanese themselves have also helped to bring foods of
other cultures into their diet. Ancient tribes journeyed throughout the
Middle East, carrying with them food that would not spoil easily, such
as rice and dates.
Introduction
The Lebanese gastronomy is a rich mixture of various products
and ingredients coming from the different Lebanese regions. Olive oil,
herbs, spices, fresh fruits and vegetables are commonly used, as well as
dairy products, cereals, fish and meat. The Lebanese cuisine is
extremely rich in flavors and colors and yet often offers recipes easy
to prepare and suitable for a healthy diet.
The Mezze, an elaborate variety of thirty hot and cold
dishes, had made the Lebanese cuisine renowned worldwide. A typical
Mezze may consist, of salads such as the Tabouleh and Fattoush, together
with dip such as Hummus, Baba ghanoush or Moutabal, and some patties
such as the Sambusacs and finally the stuffed grape leaves.
The family cuisine offers also a range of dishes, such as the
stews or Yakhnehs, which can be cooked in many forms depending on the
ingredients used and are usually served with meat and rice vermicelli.
The Lebanese flat pita bread is essential to every Lebanese meal, and can be used to replace the usage of the fork.
The Arak, an anise-flavored liqueur, is the Lebanese national
alcoholic drink and is usually served with the traditional convivial
Lebanese meals. Another Lebanese drink is the Lebanese wine, which is
now enjoying a worldwide reputation.
Known among the great variety of Lebanese sweets, are
pastries such as Baklava, and the Lebanese ice cream with its oriental
flavors.
Social events play a significant role in the Lebanese
gastronomy, as some dishes are particularly prepared on special
occasions: the Meghli desert, for instance is served to celebrate a
newborn baby in the family.
