Barbara "l'humeur du chef" helwe w morra

I met Jad El Hajj at Tawleh when he worked as a manager there. He helped me to organize a party for my friends that was long overdue. You see I never found a place that I could identify myself to, thus never had a party outside my home in a public place. When Tawleh opened, I called my husband the same day and told him, "I found the place!". Since then, Jad has moved on to fulfill his long life dream of opening his own restaurant. The concept of the restaurant is special as he "the chef" cooks given his mood, changing the menu every day. All the best to you Jad!

ACDI/VOCA Launches First-Ever Lebanese Cheese Festival

I attended this cheese festival a while back, actually as I was watching the video I saw myself walking around for a split second. This event took place in 2007, how time flies. I am starting my new research presently dealing with this exact topic. Usually when you write a book, you spend months trying to find the right cover. So let me tell you ladies and gents, I found it! Does that mean that this book will be easier on me? I hope so, but I really hope that the journey takes me to the root of my secret dream - that of discovering the riches of being a shepherdess. Sound crazy, it's not - just picture it, being in nature seeing your "babies" feed on nature's offerings, milking the herd to make delicious dairy products. A cycle is born instantly, as nature intended... I can't wait to live through this experience - one step at a time.

Always the Sun

Not food related, soul related - a philosophy, sung by someone else that I can relate to. Why? I don't know. We have a "hamseen" today in Lebanon, so this just might be appropriate and related to this hot vague (in my mind)... Enjoy!

Your darkness grows
In fields of loneliness
Every breath
As cold as ice
Where lies are true painted black
Searching for some light to lead you back

Always the sun
After all
Always the sun
Like a wailing wall
Give me hope
Show some meaning

Always the sun
To strike a chord
Always the sun
To turn the world
Always

Your darkness grows
In fields of loneliness
Every breath
As cold as ice
Where lies are true painted black
Searching for some light to lead you back

Always the sun
After all
Always the sun
Like a wailing wall
Give me hope
Show some meaning

Always the sun
To strike a chord
Always the sun
To turn the world
Always

Orange Blossom Jam in Zakroun

I had such a great time with Joseph and his family! They are one of a kind and I wish them all the happiness. I was very touched by their generosity. The story of Joseph and his jam is included in the Mouneh book.

Striking a pose with Joseph

The beauty of Zakroun untouched by men

Joseph absolutely hates TV interviews

The hospitality of the Menhen family

Meeting my friend, the goat

Notice the beehive next to Dory's head

 Look closely at the beehive

Onion Bed

Sitting on a bed of onions - on the way to Zahleh

Magdousheh in the Spring

Text taken from Mouneh - Preserving Foods for the Lebanese Pantry (2010 edition): 

In spring time, it is an enriching experience to walk through a grove of orange trees blossoming with white flowers and bursting with fragrance. I’ve had many occasions to experience this romantic stroll throughout my journey. When you see, touch and smell these flowers you have the impression that they are declaring the coming of spring.

 Magdousheh, a small town about 50 km (31 mi) south of Beirut, is reputed for its orange groves and its annual orange blossom water production. It is situated at an altitude of about 300 m (984 ft) above sea level. The town overlooks the Mediterranean Sea with its prominent pilgrimage site—home of the church of Our Lady of Mantara. On one of my visits I was accompanied by Oussama Amioun, a local resident and producer. We walked through the whole town meeting with people and discussing the year’s orange blossom yield.  During the season, villagers scatter through the groves and private gardens working simultaneously to harvest their prized orange blossom flowers. A faint perfume accompanies you as you walk through the streets. There is a certain ambiance unseen elsewhere in Lebanon at that particular moment. The tiny white flowers are laid out, scattered on empty large white bags. Distillers of different sizes and shapes are washed and set up carefully to ensure a proper yearly production. Farmers and producers of Magdousheh pride themselves on a superior quality of distilled orange blossom water. They insist that the trees should not be irrigated during the hot summer months. In fact, it is this hearty resistance which makes the flowers superior, thereby resulting in a higher quality product.  

Traditionally, most households in Lebanon made their annual production of orange blossom water at home using a family alembic. Today, it is not unusual to find families gathered at a town center where the communal karakeh is set up with large bags of orange blossom flowers. Production is mainly reserved to villagers who keep the traditional distillation process alive.  

Mr. Hannah

The pride of a farmer

Let's try!

The smell of orange blossom simply takes you away

Together we stand

In town, flowers for sale

Oussama Amioun

Taking a break

First seller as you enter the town

International Prize of the Gastronomique Literature

A great evening hosted by the Lebanese Academy of Gastronomy at Chez Sophie.

Here enclosed was the Menu (in French):

Apertitif
Bellini a la pèche blanche
 En Amuse Bouche

Fritos de grenouille / Spuma de pomme de terre / Jus corsé
Vin blanc de Bourgogne
Domaine Chevrot, 2008, Chardonnay, Bio
 En Entrées

Salade d'asperges vertes et blanches / Copeaux de manchego / Jambon Bellot

Vinaigrette à la truffe noire

Ou

Emietté de tourteau aux agrumes / Carpaccio de Saint Jacques

En Primi Piatti

Raviole de joue de boeuf / Foie gras
Vin rouge du Languedoc
Puech Noble, Domaine Puech Noble
Producteur R. Rostaing 2007, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Grenache, Bio  
En Poisson

Filet de daurade à la vapeur / Pousses d'épinards / Mousseline de topinambours

Crème de palourdes

Ou

En Viande

Souris d'agneau confit / Mousseline de purée de pomme de terre

En Dessert

Café gourmand

Best part of life is sharing happiness with the one you love

The winners!

Friendship!

A snapshot in the kitchen with Sophie