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Blog Lebanese Food

Why We Love Lebanese Food

We are absolutely infatuated by Lebanese food. It’s a rare kind of cuisine that is both delicious and healthy across the board and it inspires pride across the entire country. Traditional Lebanese traditions has snuck its way into modern food culture across the entire world too, birthing some delicious multicultural cross overs – such as our pizza. We are blessed in Australia to have some of the best Lebanese food options widely available and Manoosh are incredibly proud to be a part of that.

lebanese food

Lebanese food is absolutely incredible, with a deluge of modern and traditional flavours crossing over to create one of the best cuisines in the world.  Here why we love Lebanese food.

It’s Healthy

Lebanese cuisine has always utilised fresh local ingredients, ensuring that you get the maximum nutritional benefits from every bite. Fruits, vegetables, legumes and proteins form the foundations of traditional Lebanese food which are then embellished by an array of fresh spices.

Lebanese cooking is all about the use of olive oil instead of butters or fats, which reduces cholesterol intake. We also favour brown rice or lentils over other starches like heavy potatoes, noodles or white bread. Finally, the chick pea is a hero – adored for its amazing health benefits – in Lebanese cooking (think falafel and hummus). It is pure, natural cooking.
lebanese food

It’s Delicious

All of these fresh, healthy ingredients are in no way boring either. Although relatively simple and grassroots in nature, Lebanese cuisine is incredibly delicious. The heart of flavour in Lebanese food is spice. The spices used in traditional Lebanese cuisine make it truly irresistible – from the well-rounded flavours of za’atar and baharat to the tang of sumac, through to the freshness of mint and the sweetness of cardamom.

Every one of our spices plays a vital role in creating that authentic Lebanese taste. Add this to a deluge of core ingredients like chick peas, lamb, fresh veggies, grilled cheeses and fried sujuk and you have some damn tasty food.

 

lebanese food

It’s Vegan and Vegetarian Friendly

Lebanese food doesn’t deliberate when it comes to favouring meat or veggies, it strikes a perfect balance between the two. There are a plethora of vegetarian and vegan choices in our cuisine, whih can be eaten alone or with some delicious meats on the side. Hummus, falafel, manoushe, tabbouleh and pumpkin kebbeh are just a few of the delicious vegetarian dishes that are synonymous with Lebanese culture.

If you’re not across Lebanese food yet, you are truly missing out. It’s one of the most wholesome, satisfying cuisines out there to cook and eat. Manoosh are plating up some of the best traditional Lebanese food, vegetarian Lebanese food in Sydney and what we think is the best pizza in Sydney too. If you would like to try it, drop by Manoosh or order from us online. We guarantee you will love everything.

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Pizza Blog Lebanese Food

Why We Love Delivering Pizza in Enmore

The inner west has been our home for years. We love delivering pizza in Enmore and being part of such a diverse and interesting food tapestry. Enmore Road is hotpot of culinary cultures and we are proud to sit on top of the hill serving up delicious pizza and Lebanese food that you won’t find anywhere else in the inner west.

pizza in enmore

Enmore Rd has such a rich history of food, culture and entertainment that we are thrilled to be a part of. We love delivering pizza in Enmore!

Enmore is much smaller than its bigger brother Newtown, but packs a massive punch when it comes to food choices. Newtown has been a hub for culture and entertainment for decades, and Enmore, being Newtown’s more residential neighbour, has seen a spillover of revellers looking for a bite to eat or a show.

The Enmore Theatre is a massive draw for the suburb when it comes to entertainment. Since opening in 1908, the theatre has drawn the commercial spread from the more well-known King St, with an array of shops and restaurants opening along the Enmore Rd strip to cater the crowds of show-goers.

pizza in enmore

Photo by For Food’s Sake

By the 1960s and 70s, the Enmore had become a mecca for students from Sydney University and other young people who came to Newtown and its surrounds for its vibrant food culture, pubs and entertainment. Though Enmore changed a lot in the following 40-odd years, this cross section of multiculturalism and bohemia is still present everywhere you look.

Over the past few years, there has been an explosion of new and exciting restaurants in Enmore. At Manoosh we are proud to contribute to this hotpot of cultures, offering up a selection of Lebanese street food, traditional Lebanese classics, modern Australian pizzas, an array of vegetarian and vegan options and desserts you won’t be able to find anywhere else (our vegan baklava is the best).

If you live in Enmore or are simply dropping by the area to see a show, be sure to give us a try. Give Manoosh a call right now. Simply order from us online or drop by and see us in person – we guarantee you will not be disappointed.

Or if you’re after top quality mobile pizza catering, get in touch today!

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Blog Lebanese Food Traditional Ingredients

The Secrets of Terrific Tabbouleh

Few dishes are more closely associated with Lebanese culture than tabbouleh and you won’t find a fresher, healthier or tastier food anywhere in the world. Here we will take a brief look at the history of this amazing food as well as some of the secrets behind its popularity.

the secret of terrific tabbouleh

Few foods have won over the hearts of their fans quite like tabbouleh, particularly in Lebanon where there is even a national day celebrated in its honour.

What is Tabbouleh?

Refreshing, healthy and delicious, tabbouleh is often referred to as a salad though many Lebanese view it as a dish in its own right. Regardless of how you define it, tabbouleh is one of Lebanon’s most popular foods and is perfectly suited for those long, hot Mediterranean summers.

The Origin of Tabbouleh

The name tabbouleh comes from the Arabic word ‘taabil’ which means to season or spice and tabbouleh is thought to have first been eaten in the mountains of Lebanon and Syria more than 4000 years ago. Ancient scholars believe that herbs known as ‘qadb’ formed a crucial part of the Arab diet throughout the Middle Ages and were used as the basis of many popular dishes, including tabbouleh.

Variations of tabbouleh can be found throughout the Middle East and beyond, from the Armenian ‘eetch’ to the Turkish ‘kisir’ right through to the Cypriot ‘tambouli’. Lebanese immigrants even introduced a version of tabbouleh to the Dominican Republic known as ‘tipile’.

best tabbouleh sydney
CC image courtesy of rabiem22 on flickr http://bit.ly/1HekffD

The Secret Ingredients…

As with most Middle Eastern food, the secret to authentic tabbouleh is based on fresh local ingredients and while there are many different versions, the following should be considered essential elements.

Bulgur – One of tabbouleh’s most recognizable ingredients, bulgur is made from wheat berries that have been partially ground, cooked and dried. The best wheat for making bulgur is grown in the mountains of Lebanon, Syria and nearby Jordan and is known as salamouni.

Parsley – Tabbouleh’s greens are provided mostly in the form of fresh parsley; however, mint, green onions and even cucumber are sometimes added as well.

Tomatoes – No tabbouleh is complete without a healthy dose of finely chopped tomatoes and the fresher they are the better.

Seasonings – Quality olive oil is an absolute must as is a serious splash of freshly squeezed lemon juice. If you are looking for a little extra kick add a clove of garlic or two.

the origin of tabbouleh
CC image courtesy of cyclonebill on flickr http://bit.ly/1LmImxC

Health Benefits

Tabbouleh isn’t just delicious; it is extremely good for you as well! Apart from the vitamins and minerals provided by the fresh greens, tomatoes and lemon juice, bulgur is a fantastic source of protein, fibre and essential minerals. Olive oil comes with countless benefits as well, from helping to lower blood pressure right through to reducing the risk of Type 2 diabetes.

A Salad Worth Celebrating

Few foods have won over the hearts of their fans quite like tabbouleh, particularly in Lebanon where there is even a national day celebrated in its honour. The first Saturday of July each year is known as National Tabbouleh Day, with people getting together to enjoy this beloved dish in homes, parks and restaurants all over the country.

Life simply isn’t complete without a bowl of tabbouleh every now and again. If you’d like to try authentic Lebanese tabbouleh made the way it was meant to be, drop by Manoosh or order online, because when it comes to fresh and healthy Lebanese food we simply can’t be beat.