SYRIA. Kebab Karaz
Kibbeh Cherry Geraz is a traditional Syrian dish, made with ground beef and rice ground together, then braised in a tamarind-laced sweet and tangy sauce. A very common dish in Syria and Armenia, it translates to cherry kebab. The kebab is a mixture of kafta meat (spiced ground meat with spices, onion and parsley) thats cooked, then simmers again in a tangy, sweet and slightly sour cherry sauce and served on pita wedges.
We enjoyed this dish on the rooftop in a cafe in Aleppo, enjoying the balmy night breeze and the twinkling lights from the surrounding street lights and homes.
The other highlight of this meal, was the salad dressing on the fattoush salad, which is slightly different to the Lebanese version, where a Syrian kitchen will add cinnamon and pomegranate molasses to the dressing. This was NEXT LEVEL and this recipe we developed from simply tasting the salad, is a dressing we make weekly, in a jar, and pour it over salads, most nights of the week.
We have typed up the recipe into our blog, link it here www.miacucina.com.au/blog
In the next couple of weeks, we shall be sharing our food journey through Syria with you, showcasing one of the most amazing experiences ever!
Check out the previous posts from Syria.
Syrian Salad Recipe
1/4 cup olive oil
Juice of 1/2 a lemon
3 tablespoons pomegranate molasses
1 teaspoon sumac
Flaked salt and freshly cracked pepper
4 cucumbers, finely chopped
1 tomato, finely chopped
1/2 Spanish onion, finely diced
1 red or yellow capsicum, finely chopped
1/2 bunch parsley, finely chopped
1/2 bunch mint, finely chopped
To make the dressing, wash and sterilise a glass jar and add the olive oil, lemon juice, pomegranate molasses, sumac and season well.
Finely chop the cucumbers, tomato, capsicum, onion, parsley, and mint. Add to serving bowl and just before food service, drizzle with dressing, toss well and serve.