Ephesus - Food Review

I went to one of the Mediterranean restaurants on my google map and I must say that it was phenomenal. Ephesus, on Fourth Street, has a wide variety of Turkish style foods including grape leaves, baklava, humus, and Babaganoush. The grape leaves were perfectly cooked and the humus was scrumptious. The warm pita bread served with the humus added to the wonderful texture. The highlight of the meal was definitely the baklava. It was sweet and flakey.

I would recommend trying Ephesus to everyone. And for those who don't like trying new things, Ephesus has many other items on the menu including pizza.

www.ephesuspizza.com

Family weddings

It's safe to say that at every family wedding on my moms side we have some sort of Syrian food. The last three weddings had enough grape leaves to feed an army! My polish uncle had his plate stacked to the ceiling with them.

I am under strict orders to give my family ample "warning" of my wedding day. Their going to need that much time to make the endless supply of grape leaves. Who needs a caterer when you have family?

Salim's Middle Eastern Food Store

When my mom and aunt come to Pittsburgh for their yearly mammograms, my uncle takes a trip to Salim's to "waste" time. But in all reality, this is his favorite part of the trip.

Salim's is located on Centre Avenue in Pittsburgh and offer some of the best food I have ever had (except for my moms, of course).

Some of the best dishes include gyros, falafel, hummus, grape leaves, kibbee, and meat, spinach, and cheese pies.

Go and enjoy delicious food and pick up some imported groceries to make the dishes yourself.

Salim's
4705 Centre Avenue
Pittsburgh, Pa 15213
412-621-8110
www.salimsfoods.com

Syrian Grape Leaves

I remember when I was little my mom trying to get me to eat these green cigar looking things at grandmas. They were weird looking and smelled like lemon juice. But over the years, I have grown to love them. They are exactly what the name is. Grape leaves are a combination of rice, lamb (or pork), and a grape leaf rolled like a cigar. Add some lemon juice, salt, pepper and peppermint, and you've got all the necessary ingredients.

This is definitely an acquired taste. This is my families recipe:

1 jar of fresh grape leaves, washed and stems removed
3 cups long grain rice
1 lb. lamb (or pork), cut into small pieces
Salt
Pepper
Lemon juice
Dried peppermint leaves

Rinse rice in a large bowl. Add the meat pieces to rice. Mix well. Add dried peppermint, salt, and pepper. Mix well. Set aside. Rinse and remove stems from the grape leaves. Place a small amount of rice/meat mixture onto grape leaf. Roll like a cigar, tucking the ends in. Place into a large pot alternating the rows of leaves. Pour a small amount of lemon juice on top of grape leaves for added flavor. Fill pot to the top with water. You may need to place a plate on the top row to keep them down when cooking. Cook approximately for 1 hour on medium heat until done. Rice will be tender and meat will thoroughly cooked when done.