Cook’s Tip

To clarify butter, heat it in small saucepan over low heat until it melts and separates. Spoon off any foam on top. Spoon off clear, clarified butter, leaving milky residue in pan.

Baharat

Active Work and Total Preparation Time: 5 minutes

Baharat means spices in Arabic. It is an all-purpose spice mix used in Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Palestine and found in many prepared savory dishes. Baharat can be bought at Middle Eastern groceries, but it is quite easy to make yourself. Some cooks might add dashes of paprika, coriander seeds, cinnamon bark, sumac, nutmeg, cumin seeds or coriander seeds.

1/4 cup black peppercorns

1/4 cup whole allspice

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

* Grind peppercorns and allspice together and blend with cinnamon and nutmeg. Store in tightly closed jar away from sunlight.

1/2 cup. Each 1/2 teaspoon: 2 calories; 0 sodium; 0 cholesterol; 0 fat; 1 gram carbohydrates; 0 protein; 0.11 gram fiber.