Egypt

 Salatet Outa (tomato salad)

1 large tomato

2 scallions

¼ celery stalk

½ bell pepper

1 cucumber

1 tsp olive oil

1 tsp lime juice

2 tbsp chopped cilantro

1 clove crushed garlic

½ tsp cumin powder

¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)

½ tsp salt

Chop vegetables into ¼ inch cubes and toss together. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Serve with pita bread.

Fassoulia Khadra (green beans )

1 lb French-cut green beans

6 cloves chopped garlic

1 ½ tbsp tomato paste

2 tbsp oil

1 tsp salt

1 tsp pepper

1 cup vegetable broth or water, divided

Add oil to sauté pan over medium heat, add garlic, beans, salt and pepper, and sauté till beans are bright green. Add ½ cup of the broth, cover and simmer till beans are cooked. Dissolve tomato paste in remaining ½ cup of broth and stir into pan. Continue simmering till about ½ cup liquid remains in pan. Serve with rice.


Andrée’s variation: (the best!) 
1 Fassoulia Khadra recipe, above

1 onion, chopped

1 green or red bell pepper, chopped

1 hot pepper, whole

1 tsp cumin powder

¼ cup slivered toaster almond or pine nuts

Follow the above recipe and sauté onions with the garlic, beans, salt and pepper. Add bell pepper, hot pepper and cumin before adding tomato paste. When serving, decorate with almonds or pine nuts.

Ferakh Safrito (Braised Chicken)

8 pieces chicken

2 tbsp minced garlic

oil for frying

1 cup flour

1 cup broth (or water)

1 cup dry red wine

1 tsp salt

1 tsp black pepper

½ tsp each: allspice, nutmeg, turmeric and cinnamon (adjust to taste)

Flour chicken pieces and fry until golden on all sides. Drain oil. Sprinkle all the spices; add the broth or water and wine. Cover and simmer until tender. Add more broth or water ass needed for sauce. Serve with rice or Batates Safrito.

Rishta (Linguini in Sesame oil)

1 lb linguini (any pasta will do)

4 tbsp sesame oil

3 cloves garlic, crushed and chopped

¼ tsp black pepper

¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Cook linguini as usual. Drain and set aside. In large sauté pan over medium-high heat, add oil. When hot, add cooked pasta, tossing to coat well with oil. Add garlic and pepper, tossing again to mix well. Place on serving platter, and sprinkle with cheese if desired. Serve hot.