Eating Sunday: American Mezza

Sometimes I think I underestimate Portland. I dig living in a community that really loves both fresh produce and a multi-ethnic approach to eating. Tonight I was craving Middle Eastern flavors and I’m not one for ignoring cravings, so I just popped around the corner to my local corner market and picked up the organic, exotic, grass fed, local-when-possible makings for a mezza for one. This would not be possible in Middle America…

I have to start with hummus. Take one of the most unappetizing legumes, chickpeas, and whip in some tahini (ground sesame paste with a taste of wallpaper paste).

Somehow when you put these two together with a little salt, fresh garlic, and lemon juice…

and garnish with parsley, olive oil and paprika, you get magic hummus…

And you can’t have hummus without pita bread.

Add some tasty olives, which don’t need anything added…

I wanted couscous, but something different and special.

First, I mixed couscous and quinoa.

Roasted a bit of eggplant…

Time to pull out the jar of salt preserved lemons!

Add in a little red chili (okay, a lot) and parsley…

Next, I wanted a little salad. I used the recipe for fatoush, but halved the bread and doubled the veggies.

Lastly, I wanted to recreate the lamb brochettes I’ve had abroad.

Lamb is cubed and marinaded in spicy hot harissa, then skewered.

All this and a floor show too?

I learned that there are no small amounts here and I’ll be eating this for days. If you have that cold that’s going around, stop by for a bowl of the spicy couscous- good for all manner of ailments!