How to make Namoura – Lebanese Sweets Recipe

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Namoura is a staple Lebanese dish and one of the most iconic desserts in the Lebanon, Middle East, Turkey, Egypt, and Persia. Each region makes Namoura differently. It is a semolina cake drenched in syrup and served with an almond topping, giving it a unique texture and making it the most delicious dessert to eat during brunch, lunch, and dinner. Here is how you make Namoura at home. Read on!

Ingredients

  • To Make Sugar Syrup, you need
    • Two cups of sugar
    • One cup of water
    • One squeezed lemon juice
    • One tablespoon of rose water or orange blossom water
  • To Make Cake Batter, you need
    • Three cups of coarse semolina
    • One cup of sugar
    • ½ cup of coconut – Use shredded one
    • One cup of Greek yogurt
    • One cup of melted butter
    • ½ cup of thick cream
    • One cup of milk
    • One teaspoon of baking powder
    • One teaspoon of baking soda
    • Two tablespoons of tahini
    • 15-20 whole almonds for decoration

Instructions

  1. To make sugar syrup, add all ingredients to a medium bowl and stir
  2. Bring the bowl or pot to a boil and heat for ten minutes
  3. Add rose water or orange blossom water to the pot
  4. Leave the syrup for a few minutes to cool down under room temperature
  5. To make the cake batter, mix all ingredients using a spoon
  6. Add cream, milk, melted butter, and Greek yogurt and mix
  7. Make sure the batter rest for 15-20 minutes
  8. Use butter or tahini to grease a pan
  9. Add the mixture into the pan and use a spoon to flatten it
  10. Next, make diamond shape batter for easy cutting
  11. Bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 45-60 minutes until golden brown
  12. Remove Namoura from the oven and add sugar syrup to the top
  13. Leave Namoura for 30-40 minutes to soak the syrup
  14. Use a sharp knife to cut Namoura
  15. Serve the delicious Namoura to your family and friends

The 10 Best Wineries To Visit In Lebanon

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Are you a wine lover? This article will tell you all about the ten best wineries in Lebanon!

Lebanon is famous all over the world because it is one of the oldest wine producers in the region. Up until recently, Lebanon’s wine regions mainly consisted of the Beqaa Valley and Batroun. However, as time passes, more and more regions are joining the list of wine producers. 

This development means that if you’re on a wine tour in Lebanon, you’ll have plenty of places to see and visit. So, let’s see what the ten best wineries in Lebanon are!

1. Chateau Belle-Vue

This winery is also home to a bistro and a boutique hotel which you will have quite a lot of fun in. The owners are a couple who were the owners of the original Belle Vue Hotel which was destroyed during the Lebanese Civil War. 

The nostalgia and the air of luxury will allow you to have the time of your life at this organic winery that has won the approval of even the harshest critics.

2. Chateau Musar

We know Lebanon’s wine history goes way back and this operation is a testament to that. This winery was founded in 1930 and the quality of its products is so great that Conde Nast Traveler ranked it among its list of the fifteen best Rosé producers in the world. 

3. Château Kefraya

Château Kefraya, located in Chouf, is one of the prime examples of how small-scale businesses can produce excellent products. Their wines are well-known and well-loved so if you pass through Chouf, don’t forget to take a tour through the Château and sample a glass of their excellent invention. 

4. Sept Winery

The Sept Winery takes a newfangled approach to winemaking that includes biological processes in the making of the wine. It’s the very first winery in Lebanon that works on the biodynamic principle. The owner uses traditional Lebanese recipes with a little bit of a modern taste, making it an exquisite combination of the old and the new. 

5. Karam Wines

The unique story behind the success of Karam Wines is that its owner was actually an airline pilot. He quit his lucrative career because of his love for wine and opened Karam Wines in 2002. It has won quite many accolades and has changed the landscape of traditional Lebanese wine. A visit there will include a wine-making lesson, so make you pay attention!

6. Coteaux Du Liban

This winery is located in the Lebanese hillside and will make a very enjoyable experience for wine lovers. You’ll also be happy to learn that their wine-tasting tours are free of charge! All you need to do is book a week in advance because spots fill up rather quickly!

7. Mont D’AlmazAre you a wine lover? This article will tell you all about the ten best wineries in Lebanon!

This region’s harsh terrain makes it ideal for producing Mont D’Almaz’s well-loved red and white wines. The winery is indeed the main attraction, but you can also hike up the nearby trails to reach Lebanon’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites and explore the region nearby. This winery is the only one in the region that produces Malbec, so if you fancy a tasting, now’s your time!

8. IXSIR

Do you want a combination of excellent food, scenic views, and maybe even an acoustic concert or two? Try IXSIR! It is one of the highest wineries in the world, so it’ll provide you with an exquisite view of the Batroun region of Lebanon in addition to serving great traditional Lebanese food and tasty wine.

9. Domaine des Tourelles

This winery is one of the oldest in Lebanon because it was created by a Frenchman in 1868. He fell in love with the Bekaa Valley and decided to make it his home and that of his business. Since then, generations of the owners have been running this highly successful enterprise. 

For an air of history and nostalgia, make sure to visit the amazing Domaine des Tourelles.

10. Chateau Ksara

This winery is one of the oldest in Lebanon and it has the distinction of being one of the most successful as well. The winery exports its products to over forty countries and it attracts over 80,000 visitors every year. It was founded in 1857 and has found a way to become one of the most beloved wine producers in the world. 

  • Article based on personal opinion, experience and research.
  • Photos from Unsplash & canva.

10 Good Lebanese Foods You Need to Try

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What to eat in Lebanon? What are the most famous dishes that attract locals and tourists to relish scrumptious food? Here is everything you need to know!

10 Good Lebanese Foods You Need to Try

Although Lebanon is famous for its stunning sceneries, picturesque beaches, Cedar trees, lush-green mountains, caves, waterfalls, rivers, and lakes, it attracts thousands of people to enjoy Lebanese foods. Here are the top ten food items you must try on your trip to Lebanon. Read on!

1.    Shawarma

Shawarma is the most delectable meat treat in Lebanon. The marinated and spit-roasted food dates back to the Ottoman Empire. Shawarma vendors use rotating skewers to cook the meat. We recommend tasting all varieties of Shawarma, including turkey, lamb, beef, and chicken shawarma.

2.    Kibbeh

Kibbeh is the national food of Lebanon. It is made of unique ingredients, including lamb meat and soaked bulgur wheat. Most people eat kibbeh as a snack or dessert. Chefs make kibbeh in various ways, such as raw, fried, stuffed, baked, and even vegan versions stuffed with tomatoes, potatoes, and pumpkins.

3.    Fattehguy eating lebanese food picnic

Fatteh is another famous Lebanese dish you must try. It is made of various ingredients, including stale flatbread and other fresh ingredients. We recommend eating Fatteh in breakfast to satisfy your taste buds. Fatteh is available in Egyptian and Levantine varieties. However, the Levantine version is most delicious, topped with olive oil, cumin, yogurt, and chickpeas.

4.    Shish Taouk

Shish Taouk, also known as chicken kebab, is a staple item in Lebanese food. It is delectable because it is marinated with yogurt, paprika, garlic, lemon juice, and tomato paste. Most restaurants serve Shish Taouk as a platter. However, some also serve this dish by wrapping it in pita bread. You can also eat Shish Taouk as a sandwich.

5.    Fattoush

Fattoush is the most delectable Lebanese salad made with pita bread and other ingredients, including onions, peppers, tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, and radish. The chef tears or cuts the pita bread into small-size pieces. Then, the chef toasts, fries, or grills the pita bread and mixes it with these ingredients. You and your family or friends will love eating this food in famous Beirut restaurants.

6.    Manakish

Manakish is a flatbread topped with sumac, thyme, sesame seeds, zaatar, and olive oil. It is available in almost all famous restaurants in Lebanon, where people eat their breakfast. Depending on your needs, you can also ask the restaurant staff to customize the dish by topping it with friend eggplants, spinach, cheese, or minced lamb. Most people call Manakish Lebanese Pizza. However, it is different and has unique flavors due to the plethora of ingredients.

7.    Tabbouleh

Tabbouleh is another national dish of Lebanon. Locals and tourists love Tabbouleh due to its chewy and crunchy texture of bulgur wheat, parsley leaves, mint leaves, and olive oil. It is one of the oldest dishes in the Middle East, primarily served in Lebanon.

8.    Hummus

Hummus is a famous Lebanese food made of mashed chickpeas, lemon juice, tahini sesame paste, and garlic. It has a beige texture and mouthwatering flavor, making it the best food to try in Lebanon. Locals and tourists equally enjoy this food due to its tangy taste with a plethora of ingredients.

9.    Falafellebanese mezze

Falafel is a delicious and healthy food item famous in Lebanon, Egypt, Palestine, and Israel. It contains a wide range of proteins and amino acids, making it the most nutritious dish to taste. Falafel is chickpea fitter and served as lafa flatbread sandwiches topped with pickled vegetables. However, some chefs also top it with fresh veggies. The hummus paste, garlic-flavoured yogurt sauce, or tahini dip improve the taste.

10. Kofta

Kofta is meatballs made of minced meat mixed with onions, parsley, and spices. While you can eat Kofta individually or with potatoes. Most people enjoy Kofta with tomato sauce. It is a savoury food item with a lot of meat proteins, making it a healthy choice for people of all ages.

Final Words

Lebanon offers a culturally rich and diverse cuisine with thousands of unique dishes, snacks, salads, and desserts. However, these Lebanese food are a must-try for locals and tourists to satisfy their savoury and sweet tooth.

These food items are healthiest because they incorporate a wide range of ingredients, including lean proteins, fats, veggies, and grains. Rich spices, herbs, and seeds set Lebanese food apart from European and Asian cuisines.

  • Article based on personal opinion, experience and research.
  • Photos from Unsplash & canva.