Sunday, September 14, 2014

#57: Middle Eastern & North African food - June 2014

The MENA cookoff was held at Ravenclaw House on the 16th of June, on a beautiful evening which made us all feel very ready for summer. Lots of entries, lots of wine — I don't think we finished serving until after 10!

COMPETITORS AND ENTRIES
love shakshuka, baby
Malloreigh:"love shakshuka, baby" Tunisian/Israeli tomato & pepper stew with poached egg-style tofu, served with zaatar manouche (recipe here)
lentil stew with harissa
Jen: "ceci n'est pas une aubergine" Moroccan lentil & vegetable stew with roasted eggplant, lemon yogurt, and homemade harissa
salad
Ash: "SALAD" greens, carrots, & dates in chermoula dressing, with avocado and a sweet potato & ginger pancake
moussaka
Nik: "moussaka" roasted eggplant & tomato casserole with a silken tofu béchamel
and later, I wore it as a hat
Chris: "and later, I wore it as a hat" Moroccan couscous tagine, served with Tunisian cucumber salad & sweet and spicy sauces (not pictured) chickpea socca
Sarah: "the hungry horseman's hallucination" chickpea socca filled with Afghan rice, saffron butternut squash, & mango; served with mint sour cream
princess of Persia
Liang: "princess of Persia" crispy roasted eggplant with mint and pomegranate seeds in a pomegranate-lavender oil dressing (base recipe here, used with slight alterations)
couscous caboose
Kristina: "couscous caboose" couscous & silken tofu square with cardamom, cranberry, & mandarin syrup

Liang competed for the first time. Also in attendance were Liang's partner Ryan, and two other people I can't remember (please let me know if you do).

CATEGORIES AND WINNERS

seconds: Liang
presentation: Liang
creativity: Kristina
authenticity: Malloreigh
perceived effort: Chris
overall favourite: Malloreigh

overall winner: Liang (bringing the beginner's luck!)

best name: (unscored category) Malloreigh