While I was in Israel, the BOY and I decided it would be fun to host our families for a Mediterranean themed day complete with food and photos. Although the BOY has not been to Israel, some of our family members have (his parents were there over 30 years ago), so we encouraged everyone to bring their photos and stories. It’s no secret that the BOY’s favorite food is Mediterranean food, but we’ve never made a middle eastern feast before today!
Today’s Menu
Olives and Cheese
Hummus and Pita
Chicken and Kofte Kabobs
Seasoned Potatoes
Mediterranean Salad
No Bake Strawberry Pie
Pistachio Salad
We picked up some olives and salad ingredients yesterday at the grocery store. The BOY had researched the meat, so I left that to him.
Beef and Lamb Kabobs
I whipped up a batch of Garlic Hummus and my first ever homemade tahini sauce.
I brought this sesame paste back from Israel.
It is a homemade sauce sold at the Shuk (market) in Jerusalem.
When I bought it, I got a lesson in tahini making from the shop owner and memorized what he told me in hopes of making a tahini as tasty as I had in Israel. I was told that when you combine the ingredients, it will look like they won’t work and then all of a sudden, you will have tahini.
Which is exactly what happened. I didn’t get measurements with my recipe and was just told to add equal parts sesame and ice cold water and then salt, garlic powder, and lemon.
In my first batch, I used a little too much lemon, but was able to adjust it for my second batch (and then combine them together).
I have to admit that I didn’t measure out my ingredients and added extra water, salt, and garlic per taste, so take the measurements below with a grain of salt (or a dash of tahini).
The BOY did fantastic seasoning the meat with some of the new spices that I brought back from Israel and he grilled everything perfectly!
Za ‘atar and I can’t remember!
Our feast was unbelievable! Thanks to Naf Naf for the fluffy pita!
We all dug right into our meaty pita sandwiches, adding in the potatoes and smothering it all with tahini.
It was like being back in Israel!
The BOY and I can’t wait to have another Mediterranean night! I may even try to make falafel again!
Do you like Mediterranean food?
What do you think the red spice is?
Tahini Sauce
Recipe from Israel
Ingredients
1/4 cup sesame paste
1/4 cup ice cold water (plus more as needed)
~1/4 tsp salt
~1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2-1 tbsp lemon juice
Directions
Add in 1/4 cup sesame paste with ice cold water*.
Sprinkle in salt, garlic powder, and lemon juice.
Whisk until well combined, adding in tablespoons of cold water until desired consistency is reached.
Serve with rice, couscous, meat, or veggie pita sandwiches.
*Note: I placed water and a few ice cubes in a bowl for a few minutes and then took the water from there.
