New Year, New You, New Food… Like Dips!
The New Year is the perfect time to make a resolution or two. In fact, you may already have made some.
A lot of the time our resolutions tend to centre around our health.
Wanting to exercise more or to eat better.
But, what about to eat more adventurously while eating better? Is that resolution on your list?
If not, it should be! And today we are going to showcase how you can tick all the boxes of new year, new year AND new food. Let’s dip into it now.
New Year, New You, New Food… Like Dips!
New Years Traditions In Lebanon
In some parts of Lebanon, ringing in the new year is celebrated with serving a “white dish”. Generally, the is a meal that is white in colour like muhalabia or a simple bowl of cereal and milk.
Why white? Well, white is a colour that represents new beginnings, peace and prosperity. So, it is perfect for the New Year which also symbolises those things.
Personally, here at Kohkoz, we like to have Garlic Toum. Not only is it white in colour, but it is delicious and goes with a whole bunch of other foods too.
Making Food Resolutions
What is on your resolution list this year? Is it to be healthier and eat better food? If not, maybe it should be! There is sometimes the perception that healthy food doesn’t taste as good as other food options, but we are proving that misconception wrong!
Healthy food can be just as delicious as any other food, you just need to choose the right healthy foods. Lebanese food is traditionally healthy due to the ingredients we cook with and the way we cook them. With heaps of low-fat options like fresh fruit and veggies, lean proteins, hummus and legumes there are heaps of healthy choices available.
Olive oil is another healthier ingredient that features heavily in Lebanese cuisine. It also contributes heavily to the flavour of many dishes as they are sauteed or grilled in olive oil - healthier cooking styles than frying or roasting.
So, if eating healthier is on your list for this new year, Lebanese cuisine could be a great option for you.
The Great Dip Showcase
One of our favourite aspects of Lebanese food is all the amazing dipping options. Because, who doesn’t love a good dip? Whether you are dipping veggie sticks, pita, protein, crackers or something else, you know it’s going to be delicious!
Here are some of our favourite dips:
Olive Oil
A staple ingredient in many dressings, sauces and marinades, olive oil also stands up as a dipping option. Add some herbs or a splash of balsamic vinegar and it becomes a great dip, especially when bread is involved.
Hummus
Is there a better dip than hummus? Made with chickpeas as the main ingredient and flavoured with garlic, lemon juice and olive oil, this creamy dip goes well with anything. Spread it on wraps, dip vegetables or crackers in it, use it as a side on a main meal, put it on a mezze platter, it’s very versatile.
Hummus can come in flavoured varieties like beetroot, capsicum, tomato or Garlic Hummus, but we think Traditional Hummus is some of the yummiest.
Garlic Toum
Love garlic? Then, Toum is the dip for you! Made with garlic, lemons and salt, this whipped dip has a light and creamy texture that is a treat for your taste buds. It is traditionally used as a dip for roasted chicken, but we like to use it as a sauce or marinade, in salad dressing, on garlic bread, or as a crushed garlic replacement.
Baba Ghanoush
If smoky flavours are your jam then Baba Ghanoush might just be the perfect dip for you. The perfect blend of roasted eggplant, Lebanese tahini, lemon, garlic and salt, this dip is a great accompaniment to many dishes. Use on antipasto platters, in sandwiches, on fresh bread sprinkled with chilli flakes, or on a mezze platter.
Tarator (Tahini Sauce)
Smooth, tasty and dairy free, Tarator has a delightfully nutty flavour with a lemony punch. Made with vegan ingredients, it is simple and delicious. It’s really versatile, so can be used in lots of dishes, our favourite uses are on beef shawarma and falafel.
Ready to make this year great with healthy and delicious Lebanese cuisine?
Then, head over to our online store and choose from our delicious range of dips, meal kits, pita breads, and proteins.