Lebanese/Middle Eastern inspired recipe ideas needed

[GrueLurks]

A co-worker is leaving the company next Tuesday to move to Florida for a new job. He's been a good fellow to work with and always enjoys the smoked meats and cheeses I bring in. I was thinking of smoking a Lebanese inspired lunch for him, myself and a few others on our team. Pork is out, since he is Muslim, but beef, lamb, chicken are all good.

Anyone got suggestions? I was thinking of some sort of beef shawarma meal, but have never cooked anything in that style of cuisine before.

[Abelman]

Sorry I can't help with what to do, but I can tell what not to do, LOL.

I spent some time in the Middle East but we were on our own mostly. Once a week we'd get hot chow which was camel and white rice.

I opted for an MRE, that stuff was just terrible.

[SmokinLee]

[gmotoman]

Mediterranean cooking is very grill/smoke friendly. Baba Ganoush is just smoked eggplant and sesame oil and garlic all pureed together. Do up some lamb ribs, or like you said beef swarma. Just remember that middle eastern food has copious amounts of Olive oil, and garlic. One of my favorite recipes is to make lamb shish kabob. I take a boneless leg of lamb and cube it up. Marinate it in some olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, onion, basil, oregano, salt and pepper. I combine all the marinade ingredients in a blender and just whir them up. Marinate the meat for a few hrs then onto skewers. I do them indirect with a kiss of direct at the end.

[curious aardvark]

Marinate the meat for a few hrs

overnight is better and I wouldn't - personally - use the oil :-)

Don't think I've ever had lebanese cooking.
Had plenty of greek and turkish.

Meatballs tend to be big in the middle east (not literally).
I'm thinking small, lean beef and lamb meatballs flavoured with a harissa paste some mint and a cube of feta cheese in the centre.
Might not be lebanese but it sure would be good :-)

Ah ha - thought the fotw fourm would have something.
Lebanese lamb chops.

Now given that lamb chops are only slightly less expensive than gold bars - and that's over here - I'd suggest maybe using leg or shoulder.
Looking at the recipe - could easily be greek or turkish. So if you stick to the meditteranean basics: lamb, mint, citrus, chilli and lots of spices - you shouldn't go too far wrong :-)

And of course we'll want to see the recipes and food you go with

[GrueLurks]

Thanks gang! I can get some good deals on lamb at my local butcher shop, I might just keep it simple with some meatballs and the sauce as mentioned.

[Mark R]

Try looking here
http://foodsoftheworld.activeboards.net/forums.html

http://foodsoftheworld.activeboards....a_forum13.html