Middle Eastern Cuisine

Had the opportunity to sample some lovely Middle Eastern food while visiting the Arab American National Museum in Dearborn, Michigan this weekend.  Looking forward to making some of these items at home in the near future.  Stay tuned!

Light and Tasty Eggplant Sandwiches

Try an eggplant sandwich next time you're looking for a light, tasty sandwich.

Start with hummus and pita bread.  Make your own hummus if you have time, but if you're in a hurry store-bought works well too.  Generously coat the inside of the pita with hummus.

Grill or broil eggplant that has been brushed with extra virgin olive oil.

Place the eggplant in the pita.  Top your sandwiches off with a spritz of lemon juice or some fresh yogurt and enjoy!

The Hot Dog and American Culture

After completing my shopping at Sam's Club the other day, I sat down to perhaps one of my favorite American treats: the hot dog.  I pondered how this menu item consisting of low quality cuts of meat became such an important part of our culture.

Perhaps it has to do with its portability: Americans are on the move, and what better type of food can be carried with you than the hot dog?

Perhaps it is the price: even "gourmet" hot dogs are accessible to almost any budget.

Perhaps it is nostalgia: memories of baseball games or family barbeques featuring hot dogs are remembered throughout life.

Perhaps it is all these things, like the pieces of snout, ear, belly, and tail that make up the average hot dog, compressed into a product that is far more than "the sum of its part."  Regardless, my love affair with the hot dog will be long lived and isn't going anywhere!

The Food Pope at Melt: A Microvideo by David Maynard

Fabulous Findlay Pizza!

Enjoyed a wonderful pizza at Jac N Dos in Findlay last night and the only thing left was the cardboard tray and crumpled napkins.  Thanks Findlay for a wonderful meal!

Light and Lemony Eggplant Spread: A Summer Delight

For a tasty, light lunch, look no further than a couple of eggplant, garlic, tahini, lemon juice, and French bread.

Start with several long eggplant and slice them lengthwise in two.  Eggplant is notorious for absorbing large quantities of olive oil, so brush both sides generously.  Grill until tender.

In a blender or food processor, combine cubes of the grilled eggplant (with skin), several tablespoons of tahini (available at most grocery stores and Middle Eastern markets), lemon juice (fresh is always best but bottled works well in a pinch), and several cloves of garlic.  The Food Pope likes the spread to have some bite, so 5 cloves of roughly chopped garlic are added to 2 eggplant.

Blend until a thick spread is formed.

Bake slices of French Bread at 350 degrees for several minutes and top with the spread.  Enjoy!

Afternoon Tea

While enjoying afternoon tea at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, I realized that a very similar afternoon tea can be served at home at a fraction of the price.  Scroll down for suggestions on how to prepare your own high tea at home!

Start with a tasty bread that you enjoy for sandwiches and spread cream cheese on one side of each slice.  Top with cucumber, turkey, ham, or smoked salmon.

Cut off the crusts and cut into triangles or squares for petite tea sandwiches:

Serve with scones, biscuits, fruit, strong tea, and a small glass of sherry for a delicious afternoon tea!