Palestinian Breakfast Medley
Experience the rich and diverse flavors of a traditional Palestinian breakfast, often enjoyed in the comforting company of family and friends. This delightful spread, inspired by my time living in Jordan with my Palestinian in-laws, features an assortment of fresh vegetables, creamy white cheese, savory scrambled eggs, and aromatic herbs. Each ingredient is optional; adapt it to your liking or use what's available in your kitchen. This meal is not just about nourishment, but about bringing people together, often shared on a colorful tablecloth laid on the ground. Dive into this vibrant breakfast feast and savor the essence of Palestinian culture, which celebrates simplicity and the joys of communal dining.
N/A
Servings
300
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
eggs
3 (cracked)
salt
to taste (none)
white cheese
4 (cut into chunks)
olives
20 (none)
za'atar spice mix
1/2 cup (none)
tomatoes
2 (cut into wedges)
cucumbers
2 (sliced into long strips)
labneh
1 cup (served with olive oil drizzled on top)
olive oil
1/2 cup + more for frying (none)
mortadella
optional (sliced)
Arabic bread
as needed (warmed)
water
as needed (for tea)
tea bags
2 (none)
dried sage or mint
1/4 cup (none)
sugar
to taste (none)
Instructions
1
Start by preparing the tea. In a pot, boil water and add 2 tea bags along with 1/4 cup dried sage or mint. Sweeten to taste, using 1-2 teaspoons of sugar depending on the herb used, and set aside.
2
In a small frypan, pour enough olive oil to nearly cover the bottom. Heat the oil over medium heat.
3
Add chunks of white cheese to the hot oil and fry until golden brown on each side, about 2-3 minutes. Remove the cheese from the pan, placing it on a small serving plate with a drizzle of the frying oil.
4
Clean the frypan (or use another) and prepare the Arabic-style scrambled eggs. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 3 eggs, seasoning with salt to taste (approximately 3 pinches).
5
Using a fork, gently turn the eggs in the pan until there is no visible liquid, ensuring they remain soft and slightly creamy, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat.
6
Prepare the olives and place them in a separate serving bowl.
7
In a small bowl, place 1/2 cup of za'atar spice mix and 1/4 cup of olive oil for dipping.
8
Cut the tomatoes into wedges and sprinkle with a touch of salt if desired.
9
Trim the ends off the cucumbers and slice each into four long strips.
10
Serve the tomatoes and cucumbers on a serving plate.
11
For the labneh, drizzle olive oil on top and place in a serving bowl.
12
If using mortadella, slice and place it on a plate.
13
To warm the Arabic bread, use a gas stove and toast each piece, turning frequently for even heating, or microwave them for 30 seconds for a quicker option.
14
Gather all the prepared items on a large tablecloth laid on the floor, inviting everyone to sit around and share. Use the Arabic bread to scoop up the various ingredients, making for an interactive and communal breakfast.
Nutrition Information
20g
Fat
17.5g
Carbs
15g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Palestinian Breakfast Medley?
A traditional Palestinian breakfast medley is a diverse spread of fresh vegetables, fried white cheese, scrambled eggs, labneh, olives, and herbs, typically shared communally with family.
What type of cheese is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for chunks of white cheese that are fried in olive oil until golden brown.
How is the white cheese prepared?
Chunks of white cheese are fried in olive oil over medium heat for about 2 to 3 minutes on each side until golden brown.
How do you make the eggs for a Palestinian breakfast?
The eggs are prepared Arabic-style by scrambling 3 eggs in olive oil with salt until they are soft and creamy with no visible liquid.
What kind of tea is served with this breakfast?
The breakfast is served with tea brewed with 2 tea bags and flavored with 1/4 cup of dried sage or mint.
Is the tea sweetened?
Yes, the tea is sweetened to taste, usually with 1 to 2 teaspoons of sugar depending on the herbs used.
What is za'atar and how is it served?
Za'atar is a spice mix served in a bowl alongside a separate portion of olive oil for dipping bread.
How should the tomatoes be prepared?
Tomatoes should be cut into wedges and can be sprinkled with salt if desired.
How are the cucumbers sliced for this medley?
The ends are trimmed off and each cucumber is sliced into four long strips.
What is labneh and how is it served?
Labneh is a strained yogurt served in a bowl with a drizzle of olive oil on top.
Is mortadella required for this recipe?
No, mortadella is an optional ingredient that can be sliced and served on a separate plate.
What kind of bread is used for a Palestinian breakfast?
Arabic bread is used to scoop up the various ingredients for an interactive meal.
How can I warm the Arabic bread?
You can toast the bread on a gas stove while turning frequently or microwave it for 30 seconds.
How is this meal traditionally eaten?
It is traditionally served on a large tablecloth laid on the floor, where everyone sits together and shares from the various bowls.
How many calories are in this breakfast medley?
One serving of this breakfast medley contains approximately 300 calories.
What is the protein content of this meal?
This breakfast provides 15 grams of protein per serving.
How much fat is in this recipe?
There are 20 grams of fat in this recipe, mostly from olive oil and cheese.
What are the carbohydrate levels for this dish?
This meal contains 17.5 grams of carbohydrates.
Can I substitute the herbs in the tea?
Yes, you can use either dried sage or dried mint depending on your preference.
How many eggs are used in this recipe?
This recipe uses 3 cracked eggs for the scrambled portion of the meal.
Is this recipe considered healthy?
Yes, it is tagged as a healthy meal featuring fresh vegetables, healthy fats, and protein.
How long does it take to scramble the eggs?
The eggs take about 2 to 3 minutes to cook until they reach a soft and creamy consistency.
How many olives are included in the serving?
The recipe suggests serving approximately 20 olives in a separate bowl.
What is the purpose of the olive oil in the za'atar bowl?
The olive oil is used for dipping the bread before it is pressed into the za'atar spice.
Can I customize the ingredients in this medley?
Yes, each ingredient is optional and can be adapted based on your preference or availability.
What preparation is needed for the tomatoes?
The tomatoes simply need to be cut into wedges and optionally salted.
Is this meal suitable for a gathering?
Yes, it is specifically designed as a communal, family-style meal for gatherings.
How much za'atar is used?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of za'atar spice mix.
What is the role of olive oil in frying the cheese?
Olive oil is used to nearly cover the bottom of the pan to fry the cheese until golden.
Is this a traditional Palestinian meal?
Yes, it is a traditional breakfast spread that celebrates simplicity and communal dining in Palestinian culture.