Grandma’s cooking is like a time machine to a simpler, tastier era—a delicious escape we all crave.
But let’s not be fooled by the cute old lady image; our Lebanese grandmothers are not just about cookies and hugs. They’re strong, resourceful women with invaluable cooking wisdom.
In a world obsessed with fancy gadgets and gourmet trends, it’s refreshing to know that the best cooking secrets are passed down from generation to generation, right from Teta‘s kitchen.
1. Reviving Pita Bread
Got leftover pita bread that’s teetering on the edge of staleness? No worries!
Lebanese grandmas have a trick up their sleeves – Fry those babies up and toss them into your salads for a crunchy twist that will make you forget it was ever left neglected.
2. Butter Wrapper
Waste not, want not – Tetas knew the value of every last bit of butter.
They saved butter wrappers in the fridge and used the leftover butter on them to grease baking dishes. Genius.
3. Garlic Galore
Legend says, “There’s no such thing as too much butter.” But in Lebanese kitchens, we know better: “There’s no such thing as too much garlic.”
Embrace the garlic breath; it’s the hallmark of a well-seasoned meal.
4. Olive Oil Savior
Labneh lovers, rejoice! Preserve your beloved Labneh spread by adding a drizzle of olive oil before storing it in the fridge.
This simple trick ensures it stays fresh for longer, allowing you to savor every creamy dollop.
5. Fluffy Rice
Forget the rice cooker – Lebanese grandmas swear by the soak-and-salt method to achieve fluffy perfection.
While it’s standard in the Middle East to wash your rice to remove starch, Lebanese grandmas take it a step further: they recommend soaking it in cold water with a pinch of salt before cooking.
This extra step ensures that your rice turns out fluffier with beautifully separated grains.
6. The Age-Old Secret to Perfect Bread
Lebanese grandmothers have a clever trick for making bread dough without using yeast.
Instead, they keep a small ball of dough from the last batch in the fridge. When it’s time to make bread again, they dissolve this dough ball in water and add it to the new batch.
7. Baladi Ingredients
Tetas knew the real gems were in homegrown veggies. Their garden was their pride and joy, bursting with vibrant greens, colorful heirloom tomatoes, and fragrant herbs.
To them, the real gems were plucked from the earth and served with a side of tradition.
8. Banana Jello Bliss
In the Lebanese grandma’s playbook for using up ripe bananas, there’s a delightful trick: slicing them into Jello for a sweet twist. The ultimate summer snack!
9. Mixing With Spirit
Who knew that a splash of whiskey could elevate your cocktail sauce game? Lebanese grandmas, that’s who!
A little boozy kick never hurt anyone, but, you know, keep the kids away from the shrimp cocktail appetizers.
10. Cake From Heaven
Forget vanilla extract. Lebanese grandmas suggest adding a splash of rose water for homemade cakes that will surely taste like a slice of paradise.
11. Handcrafted Mastery
Stand mixers are for amateurs – Tetas knead their dough and batter by hand.
With years of experience passed down through generations, their skilled hands work magic. It’s a tradition upheld in Lebanese kitchens where baking is as much about the process as it is about the final delicious result.
12. Tear-Free Peeling
Say goodbye to onion-induced waterworks! Try cutting onions in half lengthwise before peeling to save yourself from a tearful fate.
13. Lemon and Vinegar Fresh
Keep your cutting boards smelling fresh by rubbing them with lemon. For an extra boost, you can also sprinkle them with a bit of vinegar.
This natural cleaning method not only eliminates odors but also helps to sanitize your cutting boards, leaving them clean and ready for your next culinary masterpiece.
14. Beyond Measure
When you ask your grandmother for one of her recipes, she lists the ingredients, omitting any measurements. That’s because, in her kitchen, she cooks with instinct, touch, and taste.
15. Love Meets The Stove
“Kol ya teta” definitely rings a bell! It’s a familiar phrase that encapsulates the love and generosity of our grandmothers, particularly through their cooking.
They cook up a storm, share it generously, and they watch as our hearts and stomachs overflow with joy.
16. The Secret Ingredient
Love isn’t just a cliché – it’s the secret sauce in every Lebanese grandma’s recipe. It’s what earns them the title of having a “nafas tayeb aal akel”.
With their timeless wisdom and unwavering love, Lebanese grandmothers have opened the doors of their kitchens to share the magic of family cooking with the world.
From ingenious bread-making techniques to the art of infusing every dish with a touch of tradition, their culinary secrets transcend borders and bring people together around the table.
