Ep 3. Episode 3

Food Safari is an Australian television series that explores the diverse cuisines of various cultures found in Australia. In season 1 episode 3, the focus is on Lebanese cuisine.

Host Maeve O’Meara takes the viewers on a journey through the flavors of Lebanon. The episode begins with Maeve visiting a traditional Lebanese bakery and restaurant, where she samples some of the most iconic Lebanese dishes. She tries out their signature dish, the manoushi, which is a Lebanese-style pizza topped with za’atar and olive oil. The dish is a staple breakfast food in Lebanon and is popular all over the Middle East.

Next, Maeve heads to a local Lebanese butcher who specializes in traditional meat dishes. She samples some of the butchers’ rare cuts of meat and learns about the various spices and herbs that are used in Lebanese meat dishes. She then moves on to a Lebanese spice shop where she learns about some of the essential spices used in Lebanese cuisine, including sumac, cardamom, and cinnamon.

Maeve then visits a Lebanese home, where she meets with a family who cook traditional Lebanese dishes. They cook up some of their favorite dishes including kibbi (a ground meat dish coated in burghul and stuffed with minced meat, pine nuts, and onions), and tabouli (a salad made with bulgur, parsley, and tomatoes). Maeve also tries out another Lebanese favorite, shish tawook, which is a skewered chicken dish marinated in yogurt, lemon juice, and garlic.

Following this, Maeve visits a Lebanese sweet shop where she learns about the various types of Lebanese sweets and pastries. She tries out some baklava and ma’amoul, two popular Lebanese desserts. She also learns about the traditional Lebanese coffee ceremony and tries out some freshly brewed Lebanese coffee.

Maeve then takes a trip to a local market where she meets with a Lebanese green grocer who sells a wide variety of fresh produce. She learns about the role of vegetables and fruits in Lebanese cooking and how they are used in salads, stews, and soups.

The episode concludes with Maeve cooking up some of the traditional Lebanese dishes she has learned about throughout the episode. She puts her own spin on some of the dishes and demonstrates how they can be adapted to suit different tastes and dietary preferences.

Overall, season 1 episode 3 of Food Safari is an excellent introduction to Lebanese cuisine. The episode is informative and educational and provides viewers with a deep understanding of the flavors, ingredients, and cooking techniques that make Lebanese cuisine so unique and delicious.