Welcome to the Lebanese Cuisine thread! Lebanon is famous for its cuisine and this thread will help provide a better understanding of this ethnic food.

I decided to start this thread because I came across a pic I took last year of manakeesh - al sajj - and I remembered a discussion forumers had in another thread about Middle Eastern food and this snack in particular...well here is the delicious pic:

Lebanese food can be found throughout the Middle East and Mediterranean no doubt spread by the Lebanese sailors, merchants, and adventurers over the years. Lebanese dishes across the region may be prepared or seasoned somewhat differently. Because of this, the cuisines of the Middle East are often sadly lumped into one homogenous category but to view the cuisines of the Middle East as one is like proclaiming that all cuisines of Europe are alike. Lebanese food is unique in that it combines the sophistication and subtleties of European haute cuisines with the exotic ingredients of the orient. The cuisine of Lebanon is the epitome of the Mediterranean diet. It includes an abundance of starches, fruits, vegetables, fresh fish and seafood; animal fats are consumed sparingly. Poultry is eaten more often than red meat, and when red meat is eaten it is usually lamb. It also includes copious amounts of garlic and olive oil and hardly a meal goes by in Lebanon that does not include these two ingredients. Most often foods are either grilled, baked or sauteed in olive oil; butter or cream is rarely used other than in desserts. Vegetables are often eaten raw or pickled as well as cooked. While the cuisine of Lebanon doesn't boast an entire repertoire of sauces, it focuses on herbs, spices and the freshness of ingredients; the assortment of dishes and combinations are almost limitless. The meals are full of robust, earthy flavors and much of what the Lebanese eat is dictated by the seasons. With the recent emphasis on the health benefits of Mediterranean cuisine, people across the world are discovering and embracing authentic Lebanese food. The awareness of this ancient cuisine has also inspired professional chefs and restaurateurs across the world to feature exciting Lebanese items on their menus. From: Cedarland.org