Home away from home?

On a wee absence from Gaza, I went home, and recreated a big meal with lots of tidbits that are as close to Palestinian as I could get them! I did take Za'atar from Gaza- and what my co-worker calls "brown spice"-- which is a mixture of a lots of spices- somewhat like an "allspice" + plus cinnamon, cardamom maybe, and a few others.

Appetizers included: Falafel (which is usually for breakfast!), Hummus, Babaganoush, Za'atar and olive oil, olives, nuts and dried fruit. And mint tea too!

The main meal was Fattet Djaj- a layers of yogurt with crispy pita bread that is fried. A layer of rice with cardamom, a layer of chicken with "brown spices" along with some caramelized onions.
I thought it turned out pretty good!-- Though nothing like the one I tried in Gaza.Sweets included: Halawi which I brought from Jerusalem (made with semolina, tahini, sesame seeds, and honey- though recipes vary). Some scrumptious dates, and some baklava from the local Turkish Bakery.Scrumdiddlyumptious!