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Chicken Tikka Masala
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Chicken Tikka Masala is know all around the world as one of the most popular Indian dishes. Served off the bone, the chicken is cooked in a tandoor oven and then braised in a creamy, coconut sauce with a hint of tomatoes and masala spices. Mild to medium heat and served with pilau rice and peshwari naan bread, you rarely see anything left on the plate! Add Mango chutney for a little more sweetness, or lime pickle which will blow your socks off!
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Indian
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Lamb Madras
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A hotter, sharper dish, but very popular. Strong tomato based sauce with lamb that has been marinated and braised over a period of time. Spices used include chilli, garlic, cumin, coriander and ginger, creating a much stronger flavour and without the sweetness of coconut used in many Indian dishes. Accompany with deep fried onion bhajis, naan bread and cucumber and mint raita to cool you down!
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Indian
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Butter Chicken
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Butter Chicken is a much loved dish in Australia. Usually served mild in restaurants, you can of course ask for added heat. It is creamy, smells divine and is full of flavour. If you have someone in your group who is not a fan of hot curries this is certainly the dish for them to try. Cashew Paste is often used to thicken the sauce which adds the richness to the dish.
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Indian
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Tabbouleh Salad
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Tabbouleh is predominant in most middle eastern dishes either hot or cold. The bulgar wheat is cooked by pouring over hot water and leaving to stand. Once cold, it is mixed with tomatoes, cucumber, mint, parsley, garlic and diced onions and plenty of seasoning. In some restaurants it is also served with goats cheese, cubed, and sprinkled over the top. A very filling and delicious salad with fresh lemon juice squeezed into give it a touch of acidity.
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Lebanese
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Onion Bhaji
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One of the most popular starter or side dishes in Indian restaurants. Shredded onion is mixed with herbs, spices and flour then deep fried in either flat rosti style cakes, or round balls. Usually served with shredded lettuce, onion, cucumber and tomato and a tray of dips, including cucumber raita, mango and red hot lime pickle.
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Indian
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Baba Ganoush
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Probably the most famous of Lebanese dishes, and eaten in many eastern countries, baba ganough is predominantly aubergine or egg plant, mashed with tahini paste, garlic, coriander and paprika to create a wonderful filling dip. It can be served on its own as a starter or part of a middle eastern spread or mezze. It almost certainly comes with olives and pitta bread or flat bread. A lovely tasting strong flavoured dip that makes you want to go back for more!
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Lebanese
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Felafel
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Served thoughout Lebanon, Greece and Turkey in various forms, either round or elongated sausage shaped, and made from ground chick peas or fava beans or both, and then moulded into shape with garlic, herbs and sometimes raisins. The small patties are then deep fried and served hot with flatbread and a choice of dips such as yoghurt, mint and garlic. Served also with salad and pickled vegetables. Are normally also included in a middle eastern mezze feast of 6 or 7 dishes.
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Lebanese
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Pastries
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Lebanon is famous for delicious sweet pastries, using a lot of honey, nuts and dried fruits. Probably the most famous are baklava and mammoul cookies, served with deep and rich Lebanese or Turkish coffee after a meal. Baklava is virtually the same as the Greek version, doused in very sweet honey syrup with nuts and dried fruits encased in pastry.
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Lebanese
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Kingfisher
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This is probably the most popular beer served in Indian restaurants, the brewery being owned by one of the richest men in the world! 5% alcohol content, but the taste is quite light and quite refreshing with a hot curry.
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Indian
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Arak
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A strong aniseed flavoured spirit combined with water, which makes it a cloudy drink served with ice and lime wedges. It is called the ‘milk of lions’ and is usually serve with mezze at the beginning of the meal.
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Lebanese
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Coffee
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Lebanese coffee is very similar to Turkish coffee in its strength and method of serving. Usually accompanied by small sweet pastries or biscuits, it should only be sipped, due to the way it is made, leaving the ground coffee at the bottom of the cup – quite bitter if you take a mouthful!
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Lebanese
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