When in Boston I go to Cafe Jaffa (on Glouceter st.) for a falafel plate or a humus plate. Falafel is deep friend chickpeas, so this dish is definitely an indulgence for me. But Cafe Jaffa also serves a great greek salad! My cousin informed me of the Jewish quarter in Paris. I loved this area. We explored it a couple days ago and then went back yesterday to do some food tasting. There were two falafel places right across the street from one another. We chose "L'as Du Fallafel" due to the fact that their line was going out the door, where the other place looked pretty sad.
walking into falafel restaurant [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySMB1kvjIHY?hd=1&w=560&h=315]
The pita was stuffed with falafel, red and white cabbage, cucumbers, chopped tomatoes, eggplant, humus and tahini sauce! Tahini is a ground sesame seed paste. It is a creamy, oily, and a smooth nut butter rich in calcium.
IMG_20111116_083352
View of the falafel [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2x-mw0DEWR4?hd=1&w=560&h=315]
After our yummy falafel experience we walked about 500 feet to check out what I have heard serves the "best bakalava ever". I have to say I think my mémé (grandmother in french) makes it better, but it was still darn good.
IMG_20111116_090442
IMG_20111116_090452
Bakalava is made from layers of phyllo dough, an assortment of nuts ( I think mostly almonds and walnuts) and sweetened with tuns of honey!!! YUMMM. It is a sweeeeeet dessert, but light, crispy from the phyllo dough, and crunchy from the nuts. The bottom gets a little chewy from the phyllo being soaked in honey. Seriously awesome.
Bakalava is messy and difficult to make, but this is one dessert I will eventually attempt. I will start with some home-made humus (should not be too hard) and I will share my experience with you! Have you ever made humus? Can you share any good recipes?
