The Family "Test"

The first meal that my Polish father ate at my Syrian grandparents home was meshe. This was his test to see if he was going to be a good addition to the family.

Meshe is the Syrian version of stuffed peppers. Only instead of being made of mostly ground meat, they are made of mostly white rice and small pieces of pork. They are then cooked in a tomato based sauce with carrots. We don't just stuff peppers, but zucchini, eggplants and large carrots. My mouth is watering just thinking about eating it.

Earlier this summer, my mom made a pot of meshe. My boyfriend and I have been together for four years now and he has yet to try meshe. So he was summoned to the dinner table for his "test." Needless to say, he passed with flying colors, just like my father did over 25 years ago.

Roommates Mediterranean Food Reaction

Here is the long awaited video of my roommates trying the Mediterranean food. Their reactions are priceless. Enjoy!

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?

Family matters

My family is extremely close knit and loves to spend time together; especially in the kitchen. My mom enjoys forcing me into the kitchen so I can learn the many dishes her mom passed down to her.

That is what really inspired this blog. I have grown up hearing about the good old days of my great aunts and uncles who's parents moved to the U.S. from Syria. My mom's grandparents only spoke Syrian and would yell at all the grand kids. There are so many pictures of Cedee (Syrian for grandmother) sitting in her babushka cleaning grape leaves for dinner.

I wanted to share some of the many dishes I grew up eating. My favorite foods are grape leaves and kibbee. Now back to the kitchen for some 101 lessons with mom.

Syrian Sleik

Here's a recipe that is a great dish for those trying
the Mediterranean diet.

Syrian Sleik

1 large onion, chopped
1 1/2 C bulgar (wheat)
3 C water
2 bags of fresh spinach, rinsed and chopped
salt & pepper

In a large skillet, saute onion on high heat, using olive oil, until tender. Add wheat and water. Let this come to a boil. Add chopped spinach and turn down to medium heat. Cook until spinach and wheat is cooked and soft. Add salt and pepper to taste. Cook approximately for 45 minutes to an hour.

Mediterranean goodness

The Mediterranean style of life is as unique as its cultures, but its food is out of this world. Think about your daily diet. I bet it includes beef, potatos, deep fried everything, and quite possibly fast food on a daily basis.

Now, just imagine how much healthier that diet could become with a Mediterranean style influence. A diet full dishes such as kibbe, grape leaves, mesha, and sleik.

What am I talking about? Those are some of the main staples in my house. Join me in enjoying these unique and healthy meals.