4 eastern lebanese Recipes

vegetable stock (or chicken), olive oil or 1 -2 tbsp butter, onion, diced, red lentils , thoroughly rinsed, rice, arabic seven spice (available at middle eastern grocery stores), cumin, salt and pepper, aleppo pepper (also available at middle eastern grocery stores) (optional) or 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional), fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)

dried navy beans , picked over and rinsed, boneless lamb shoulder or boneless leg of lamb, trimmed of excess fat and cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes, baharat* (see below ) or 1 (3-inch) cinnamon stick, water, olive oil, onions, chopped, garlic cloves, finely chopped, salt, black pepper, tomato paste, a middle eastern and african ground-spice mixture that typically contains allspice, cinnamon, clove, cumin, maras chile, and black pepper.

pita breads or 1 1/2 arab bread, head romaine lettuce , cut into ribbons, firm ripe tomatoes , cut into 1/2 inch pieces, cucumbers, peeled , cut into thick slices, green bell pepper, seeded and cut into small slices, red onions or 1 1/2 mild white onions or 9 scallions, chopped, rocket , torn, butch purslane or 1 lamb s lettuce, torn, flat leaf parsley, chopped, fresh mint, shredded, extra virgin olive oil, lemon , juice of, garlic cloves, crushed, salt and pepper, ground sumac