This is a rather contemporary recipe from this ancient land. The recipe was conceptualised by the chef to mimic the famed dip, Muhammara from Aleppo. The mutton chops are delicious, the meat juicy. The pomegranate in the marinade helps tenderise the meat. The flavours are subtle, dominated by the pomegranate's tartness and a touch of sweetness from the sugars. These mutton chops are perfect as a snack or a dinner. Greg and Lucy Malouf have travelled extensively across the Mid

Eggs and olives are a superb combination. The salt of the eggs is balanced by the plainness of the egg whites; they support each other beautifully. This is a traditional salad with a pop of flavour. I chose to serve it more like a deviled egg rather than the traditional tossed salad format, just for visual effect. The sumac adds sourness, the pine nuts add a nutty flavour, and the paprika adds smoky heat. They are all well-balanced, and these are small bites that are deliciou

Dried fruits are important in Middle Eastern cuisine. The most prized are figs, but apricots come in at a close second. Dried fruits were...