La Diva's falafel photos weren't quite as appetizing as this photo I found instead (and it looked so damn good and just like how my falafel turned out!) Enjoy, darlings!
Darlings! Trips back home to Michigan for La Diva always include loads of good eats and of course, this trip was no exception. What does a Diva crave back in the "D?" Well, White Castle Hamburgers, of course, and also something you might not expect: the most excellent, fresh and authentic Lebanese food.
Syrian/Lebanese Christian immigrants came to Detroit in the late 1800's, looking for the chance to make $5 an hour at Henry Ford's factories. Most of the Lebanese immigrants at the time came from the Mt. Lebanon area and then others followed from the various villages. Other Arabs came too, including Palestinian/Jordanian, Egyptian, Moroccan and Iraqi (though they like to call themselves "Persian!") Many of them settled just outside of Detroit in Dearborn but in the last two decades have spread north into the suburbs of Macomb and Oakland Counties.
Doesn't this FATTOUSH salad look excellent and summery?! I am loving the fiery-colored sumac sprinkled over it, the spice really helps bring out the salads lemon flavors. Sprinkle some over hummus too. This delicious bread salad is one of Diva's favorites and so easy to make. Fattoush salad photo courtesy of Habeeb.com!
Since I had last visited Michigan two years ago, La Diva noticed that amongst all the doughnut and franchise restaurants that littered the generic street, kebab shops had sprouted in almost every strip mall along Van Dyke Ave. When I lived there as a kid growing up on the East Side, there were only two Lebanese restaurants outside of Dearborn that mattered, The Sahara and Emily's Delicatessen, known for her meat and spinach pies.
It was at the modest Sahara restaurant that La Diva had her first taste of authentic Lebanese food including the usual nutty hummus, tabbouleh salad, fattoush, kibbe nayeh (raw ground spiced lamb with cracked wheat) and of course, the spicy, garlicy vegetarian falafel. Eating these foods growing up seemed as normal to La Diva as eating spaghetti.
Having eaten Lebanese only twice while in Detroit this trip and missing it already, my brother reminded me that a crunchy falafel in a fresh pita with cucumber sauce would make a great Meatless Monday dish. Of course! My brother insisted that making falafel with chick pea flour from scratch was the way to go, but darlings, lately I've been so pressed for time, La Diva is lucky to even find a moment to blog, let alone hunt down freakin' chick pea flour. So, I bought a box mix.
It was mighty tasty with the garlic and cumin flavors coming on strong. Also, the sandwich was a filling, crunchy and flavorful dish for a Meatless Monday! I served it up with some home-made tabbouleh and a quick cucumber yogurt tahini sauce for a quick and healthy dinner. Thanks for the suggestion, little bro!
If you are looking for recipes to make this home made, browse about the Internets, darling, as the hot tub is calling! Happy Meatless Monday!
And on a somber note, my heart goes out to my blogging buddies that are suffering from heartfelt loss, dear Boxer and darling Dani. Kisses and hugs to you both. RIP Buffalodick, you will be missed by La Diva and your many followers.
Great Meatless Monday post! Hummus and tabbouleh are in my cooking repertoire, and I love falafel (although I don't think I've ever made it). I am most intrigued by the fattoush and kibbe nayeh and may have to put them on my increasingly long list of dishes to try.
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, I second your concluding thoughts (and those expressed in your tags). My heart goes out to fellow bloggers Boxer and Dani for your losses, as well as to Buffalo Dick's family. B.D. will be sorely missed.
I've heard of Falafel but never had the opportunity to try it. Looks good.
ReplyDeleteFunny you mentioned White Castle. We only have them in North Jersey and a couple of weeks ago the Boy and I were visiting a college up there. We had to drive right past a WC and the Boy absolutely had to try it because of the whole Harold and Kumar thing. We stopped for some after the college visit and it was in a section of town that boarders Newark. I have never seen a fast food counter with bulletproof glass and a double door pass-thru for the food. Needless to say, we ate in the car. They were OK but really greasy.
Thanks for the love Diva. Great friends really DO make all the difference when you're hurting. :)xoxo
ReplyDeleteYes, Eggy, if you have a good Lebanese or Middle Eastern restaurant, give them a try. The kibbe meat must be super fresh and the restaurant very clean though, that is raw meat, like steak tartar.
ReplyDeleteBuzz, the White Castle I used to go to when I lived in Detroit was in a bad neighborhood too. Yes, we had the bulletproof glass and I would go there late at night, dressed to the nines after a night out! I have to say, I found the burgers to be disappointing. I crave them and then after I eat them, I am always disappointed.
Dani, I know I love to live/garden virtually through your posts and enjoyed Ollie's presence so much. He was the star that shined so bright for such a short time. Just wish I could give you a big ol' hug. xoxox
love me some middle eastern grub - and this is a sandwich - smackdown theme is posted
ReplyDeleteMmmmm . . . falafel.
ReplyDeleteAll this death? Not so much.
Home Run, my sweet LaDiva!
ReplyDeleteMoi, two men passed, two dogs passed and two babies born.
ReplyDelete