Here are some of our favorite ways to enjoy Lebaneh:

1. Spread it on a bagel.
2. Crumble it into vinaigrette to pour over salad.
3. Stuff it into a chicken or steak.
4. Mix it into a pasta dish.
5. Break it apart onto the top of a pizza.

Lebaneh is gluten-free food that’s full of nutrients. What makes it even better? It’s all natural, unlike many flavored processed cheese spreads on the market. Lebaneh is made up of two cheeses, feta and cream cheese, that are different in taste and texture, but when combined create a savory combination that can’t be beat.

Why is Feta so Fantastic?

With a third fewer calories than most cheeses and packed full of flavor, feta cheese isn’t just a great choice for those watching their fat intake; it’s also full of essential daily nutrients.

A serving of feta cheese provides: protein, an immunity booster; riboflavin, a source of antioxidants to help prevent signs of aging; phosphorus, which aids in transmission of nerve impulses; and many of the B vitamins, including vitamin B-6, vitamin B-12, thiamin, niacin, and folate, that help the body efficiently convert food to fuel.

What makes Cream Cheese Great?

Known for its smooth, creamy texture, this fresh cheese is one of the most popular choices in the United States. While real cream cheese should contain 33% fat, it is still considered a good nutritional choice when paired with lower-fat foods, such as feta. Cream cheese is rich in calcium, iron and vitamin A, which helps eyes adjust to light.

Lebaneh is a fantastic, flavorful cheese with two very distinct personalities. Try it as a spread that tastes great on bagels and pita and as a crumbly cheese that is a delicious complement to salad or stuffed into a meat dish. With all of the great flavor options, including sun dried tomato and chive, you can be sure you will find one that you love and will want to include into with all of your favorite foods.

Olive Mazza is a traditional olive tapenade with a Yummy’s twist. It contains both black and green olives, along with sun dried tomatoes, walnuts, pine nuts, olive oil and garlic. For the olive lover, this is a treat you never need to feel guilty eating! In fact, olives are so good for you and full of anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and antioxidant benefits, including vitamin E, phytonutrients and histamine blockers, that Olive Mazza can be enjoyed every day.

For those who like their tapenades with a little more heat, Shatta can really fire up any dish. The secret to what gives this tapenade its delicious kick is chopped jalapenos, tamed down a little bit with olive oil, walnuts and garlic. The chemical that gives jalapenos their heat is capsaicin, which can help provide pain relief for migraine and sinus headaches while also relieving congestion.  The bite of a jalapeno really can clear your head in a good way. So the next time you feel a headache coming on, do yourself a favor and have some Shatta.

Love the tang of red bell peppers? Then Sweet Shatta will make your taste buds dance with delight. Chopped red bell pepper, olive oil, walnuts and garlic make this tapenade a perfect companion for everything from pasta to fish. A great source of vitamin C, capsaicin, and
flavonoids, red bell peppers can help prevent blood clot formation along with reducing the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Stay in good health with Sweet Shatta!

All of our tapenades are great as companion for Yummy’s Choice hummus, but here are a few other ways to enjoy Olive Mazza, Shatta and Sweet Shatta. Use your favorite tapenade or the one with flavors that will best enhance the desired dish. Sometimes combining or “striping” the three

• Top it on a pizza crust instead of sauce, then top with your favorite toppings and cheese.
• Stuff it into a chicken breast before baking.
• Spread it on a sandwich.
• Toss it with mixed greens for a tasty salad.
• Mix it into your favorite pasta (with or without sauce)

Tapenades really are a great addition to any meal. How will you use your favorite tapenade? The possibilities are only limited by your imagination and creativity!

Never pureed or blended, Yummy’s Choice BabaGhanoush is loaded with hunks of roasted eggplant and the most garlic allowed by law. The healthiest dip you can eat, loaded with purple food nutrients. BabaGhanoush is spelled about a hundred different ways, but what really counts is how it tastes and what’s in it. In addition to our spelling, here are some of the other ways to spell it: baba ganush, baba ghannouj or baba ghannoug.

At Yummys Choice, we pack all of our perishable products, including hummus, baba ghanoush and tapenades, in olive oil so we can ship them all over the United States and avoid having to use any unnatural preservatives. Not only does it taste better, it helps our customers stay healthy.

While fats and oils are an essential part of a balanced diet, they are definitely not all created equally. Many will do more harm than good to the body if consumed on a regular basis. Olive oil is a smart choice as it not only provides the body with fat it needs, it is also easy to digest and can quickly be absorbed.

According to the site http://mediterraneandiet.gr/ medical studies have shown that people living in Mediterranean countries and specifically Greece, where olive oil consumption is high, suffer fewer cardiovascular problems. The unsaturated fats that are found in olive oil are not only cholesterol free but also work to reduce cholesterol levels. They actually protect the body against bad cholesterol. In addition, olive oil can stimulate bone growth and calcium absorption. Some of the other benefits of olive oil include: reducing blood pressure, minimizing cancer growth, lessening asthma and arthritis symptoms, and helping the body maintain a lower weight. Of course, olive oil should be enjoyed in moderation, not by the cupful. But at least now there’s no reason to feel guilty after drizzling it on a salad, tossing it in pasta, or dipping a piece of bread into it.

Olive oil is so beneficial to daily health that it not only helps the body internally but also helps it  externally, when applied to the skin, through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It is a staple in the Mediterranean diet, according to righthealth.com, used to provide antioxidants to disarm free radicals and reduce inflammation, a major cause of wrinkling and sagging skin. No one wants that! Olive oil is also a great natural moisturizer to use for silky hair, softer skin and even smoother lips. There is definitely a reason people who live in the Mediterranean have such a healthy glow!

A bottle of olive oil should be a staple in your kitchen, and possibly your medicine cabinet too!

I have the good fortune of being able to source, locally, some of the best Mediterranean food products in the country in Yummy’s Choice.  They speak for themselves as they stand alone on the plate, but they also represent a palette of flavors that can be painted into limitless culinary creations.

I will be sharing some of my “paintings” with you each month.

One of my favorite street foods is the Greek Gyro sandwich.  The combination of flavors and textures is second to none.  At the same time, I’ve long believed that a well-plated rack of lamb is one of the prettiest things you could ever sit down to eat.  Why not combine the two?

Start by picking out a rack of lamb at your local butcher shop.  Typically, it will already be “Frenched” for you.  Here’s a fun video to show you how it’s done:

Moisten your lamb lightly and evenly with olive oil.  Season it generously with salt pepper, minced garlic and freshly chopped rosemary.  Be sure chop the rosemary as finely as possible.  Cover your meat in a pan, and refrigerate it for at least a few hours, overnight if you’d like.

Before you start your cooking, fill a plastic freezer bag with Yummy’s Choice Plain Pita Chips.  Poke a couple small holes in it to release air, and use a rolling pin or a fist to crush the chips into peas-size pieces.  Reserve these for plating.

Boil about 3 pounds of potatoes until they are about fork Tender, drain, and then return them to the pan.  Add ¾ of a stick of butter and a half-pint of heavy cream.  Mash them up to a desired texture, salt and pepper them to taste. Here’s where you give them some Mediterranean magic- fill a ¼ cup measure with finely chopped fresh mint and fresh rosemary.  Fold them into the potatoes, cover them and keep hot.  You should be able to coordinate this step while your lamb is roasting.

Now you’re ready to cook your lamb.  Heat a large skillet and add a few tablespoons of olive oil.  Sear your rack of lamb on each side until it starts to brown slightly, a minute or so.  This step will seal the meat and keep it moist as it roasts.  After you’ve seared the lamb, place it in a metal 9×13 pan, and place it in the middle oven rack and cook at 350 degrees for 15-18 minutes for medium rare-medium.  When you remove it from heat, place it on a cutting board for about 4-5 minutes to let it cool slightly and allow the juices to redistribute in the meat.  This step is very important in keeping your lamb deliciously moist.

When you are ready to plate, use a very sharp knife, evenly separate the chops.  Mound your potatoes in the center of the plate, and evenly rest the chops vertically against them, bone-side up and facing the potatoes.  Generously circle the items on the plate with Yummy’s Choice Taziki Sauce and balsamic glaze.  For aesthetic appeal, put the sauces into squeeze bottles for an attractive layout on the plate.  Sprinkle your crushed pita chips over the sauces on the plate.

You can serve this dish with a green vegetable of your choice… I’ve always been a fan of asparagus.  This dish will also pair well with pinot-noir, or a cotes-du-Rhone if you want your wine to come from a Mediterranean country.

Enjoy these brilliant flavors by sweeping your chops through your sauces, and Pita Chips will give a nice crunch with the soft, rich lamb meat.  The essences in the potatoes will blow you away, too.  Give this dish a trial run, and then impress your friends at a dinner party!

Ingredients:

Yummys Choice Pita Chips

Yummys Choice Taziki Sauce

Rack of Lamb, Frenched

Balsamic Glaze

3Lbs of Potatos (Gold potatoes if available)

¾ Stick of Butter

Half Pint of Heavy Cream

Fresh Mint

Fresh Rosemary

Salt and Pepper

So next time you’re cooking out with your foodie friends, give them something with a fresh Mediterranean flair.  Incorporate fresh herbs and cheeses that are derived from the region.  We’ve got a recipe for some Mediterranean sliders that we think you’ll love.  Tangy, spicy, creamy and fresh, these hand-held three-bite burgers go great with a cold beer and great conversation.  I promise.

Start with the freshest ground beef you can find.  I recommend 90/10 or leaner, because your extra virgin olive oil is going to moisten the meat.  It’s a healthier alternative anyway.  Season it to taste with salt and pepper, and then get ready for the Mediterranean fun.  Add a half container (4 ounces) of Yummy’s Choice® Shatta for every pound of ground meat you plan to serve, and get your hands dirty mixing everything thoroughly.  If you’re able to do it in advance, cover and refrigerate it overnight. That will allow all of the delicious jalapeno and EVOO to penetrate the meat.  Form hockey puck sized patties and grill them just the way you love your burgers.  Then let the garnishing begin.

I love to use carmelized onions with this recipe.  Start with two medium sized white onions, and thinly slice them, using a mandolin slicer if you have one.  Heat a skillet and add enough olive oil to coat the pan.  Sautee your onions until they start becoming soft and golden but still translucent.  Then add a half a cup of white balsamic vinegar and half a cup of white wine.  I like pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc.  Continue to sautee until the liquid in your pan has reduced to almost nothing, and set your onions aside to cool.

You’re going to want to start with a dinner roll-sized bun to build your sliders.  Rather than using boring old lettuce, pile on a few leaves of fresh basil and hold them in place with a fresh slice of tomato.  Layer on your onions and then top it with a slider patty.  Let it come to room temp and add a generous layer of Yummy’s Choice Chive Lebaneh onto your top bun and stack up your slider.

These magical little mini-burgers have a perfect balance of fresh Mediterranean flavors.  You can also try this recipe using Sweet Shatta or Olive Mazza instead of the regular Shatta or make all three and put three on a plate.  You can also try topping the little guys with the other flavors of Lebaneh, and if you want an extra layer of cool tangy flavor, add a little Taziki Sauce to you slider.  Mmmmm….

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What goes into great Hummus?

Really the fewer ingredients it has, the better it will taste and the healthier it will be. Our original hummus only has five ingredients: chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, olive oil and a parsley garnish on top. Good, natural food never needs to be hidden in preservatives.

What makes hummus so good for you?

As part of the legume family, chickpeas, the main ingredient in hummus, are known for their high nutritional value. They’re rich in fiber and full of protein, help to lower cholesterol and don’t contain any saturated fats. Aren’t sold yet? They’re also chock-full of vitamins and minerals including folic acid, zinc and magnesium.

Tahini, also known as sesame seed paste, is another essential hummus ingredient. It contains lecithin, which can protect the body from the harmful effects of toxins and decrease cholesterol levels. It also works to properly absorb amino acids. Plus, it’s loaded with calcium and Omega 3, the good fat, along with plenty of carbohydrates and protein. That’s a powerful little seed!

Lemon juice is filled with antioxidants that work to reduce stress. It can also improve immune functions to fight off viruses and the buildup of bacteria.

Olive oil is another healthy fat. In fact, it’s effective in treating obesity by breaking down fat cells. It has been used to help regulate cholesterol, blood pressure and protect the heart from disease. It also reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases and can promote the immune system.

Hummus also contains about 20 essential Amino Acids, including large dosages of Tryptophan, Phenylalanine and Tyrosine, which have all been effective in treating minor mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety. So eating hummus truly can make you happier!

It’s no wonder that the popularity of hummus continues to grow not only in America and the Mediterranean, but around the world! Adding it to the daily diet can truly enhance quality of life.

Get ready for Zesty Sauce. Not hot, just the tastiest sandwich spread you’ve ever had. Try is on a Reuben, a Turkey Club or a Grilled Vegetable Sub. But don’t stop there, dip in carrots or peppers or any raw veggies. Kids love it, big time. And big kids, too.

HUMMUS

Original, authentic, smooth and delicious.  There is no finer hummos in the world.  Look, three main ingredients: Chickpeas, Tahini, and Lemon Juice (no garlic) withExtra Virgin Olive Oil and a little Parsley on top.  Exactly what you’d expect from the smoothest, creamiest hummus you can buy. Don’t stir, dip through that EVOO goodness.

BABAGHANOUSH

Never pureed or blended, Yummy’s Choice BabaGhanoush is loaded with hunks of roasted eggplant and the most garlic allowed by law. The healthiest dip you can eat, loaded with purple food nutrients. Here we mix it up and give you 3 tubs of each hummus flavor and 3 BabaGhanoush.