eatWashington

the world on your plate

Pomegranates, juice & rosewater

The easiest way to separate pomegranate seeds from the surrounding bitter white membrane is to cut the grenade in half, turn it upside down over a bowl and beat the mound with a wooden spoon. The seeds will fall into the bowl. In Greece they're eaten like snacks in the hand together with fresh walnuts at the milky stage before they have dried - a wonderful combination. Contemporary chefs have caught up with pomegranate juice, using a little of the sweet-sour liquid to deglaze a pan. It's been used by Middle Eastern cooks for centuries as a meat tenderizer and marinade for lamb. It is sold here in bottles in most Middle Eastern groceries. A sprinkling of rose water, from Middle Eastern groceries, adds an intriguing scented flavor to a dish of strawberries, a fruit salad, home-made vanilla ice cream and sponge cake frosting.
You are viewing the latest articles first.
You may prefer to view articles alphabetically.

Greek & Middle East markets - 12 Nov 2009

There are probably more specifically Greece-focused markets in Baltimore than in Washington. But Middle East groceries generally stock a wide range of Greek products. read more...

Nosh Notes: Turkish restaurants - 5 Aug 2009

This web site doesn't cover many restaurants. But the following come highly recommended by a number of Turkish eatWashingtonians. They should know. And summertime is the perfect season for this kind of food. read more...

Fish: Pomegranate Shrimp - 29 Apr 2009

Monica Bhide's dish cooks in just 15 minutes. Don’t overcook the shrimp, she cautions, or they will become rubbery. But that's the only thing you need to watch to succeed with this easy entree. read more...

Greek specialties - 18 Mar 2009

It's not hard to find Greek specialties locally. They're stocked by most Middle East markets. The closest large Greek community is in Baltimore, with its markets and restaurants. But if you want to shop as though you were in Greece, head for International Market & Bakery on a Saturday. read more...

Persian markets - 21 Mar 2008

There are a surprising number of Persian supermarkets in the area, selling Persian and other Middle Eastern foods. read more...

Yekta - one of my favorite markets - 21 Mar 2008

When Yekta, a Persian market, began 28 years ago, "It was more of a beer and wine deli type," says Cathy Dadras, the daughter of the family that owns and runs it. "But it evolved." She can be found next door in the kitchen of Kabobi, the restaurant that serves delectable grilled meats over Persian fragrant rice. read more...

Middle East cooking classes & eateries - 27 Nov 2007

Learn to cook - or eat - the way of the Middle East. read more...

Pomegranate & other scented juices - 27 Nov 2007

Pomegranates are such a beautiful fruit to look at, but difficult to eat. The juice is high in antioxidants but it is also good to deglaze a roasting pan and give a certain sharpness to a rich sauce or jus. read more...

Lebanese specials - 26 Nov 2007

Where to find some Lebanese specialties. read more...

A whacky ambition: to cook like Cambell's and Co.
It may be sacrilege to say so, but I did have a moment's wonder at Julie Powell dedicating a whole year to cooking out Julia Childs. Life is surely too short. But I admired her staying power. Most cookbooks contain only a handful of recipes you actually want to tackle - though heaven forfend that I should level this criticism towards Mastering the Art of French Cookery.

Anyway, here's someone who really slackened my jaw. Meet Todd Wilbur, who spends his time to trying to recreate food made by the industrial giants. He wants to cook Krispy Kremes just like the factory. He wants to clone Big Macs, Yoo Hoo chocolate drinks, and dozens more junk foods, to taste just like the real (or unreal) McKoy.
Read Chef Profile...
Latest Articles
Oriental fruits identified
Latino menus - what's is that stuff?
Bourbon unburbled
Chew On This: Will they tell us about nanotechnology?
Gazpacho
Cinnamon - what is it?
My favorite markets: Mom's Organic Market
I Slept in Queen Elizabeth's Bed; or How To Cook on A Cruise Ship
Baskin Robbins' French Vanilla is no more!
Summer Berry Tiramisu
Chew On This: Chicken can make you fatter than red meat
Rice - the long and the short of it
KoGiBow
Risotto - the grains of truth

Browse for
Delicious Recipes
DC Chefs
Cuisine Regions
Browse Cuisine Region
Americas & Caribbean
Asia to Australasia
Britain & Ireland
Far East & Africa
Far North
France
Greece & the Middle East
Mediterranean
Northern Europe