Raheb
Lebanese salad of roasted eggplant, tomatoes, onions, and parsley.
Raheb salad (monk's salad in English) is a Lebanese dish made from roasted eggplant, tomatoes, onions, and parsley. It is typically served among a variety of mezze.
The Arabic word "Raheb" means "monk." The salad gets its name because its simple, natural ingredients are thought to reflect the modest diet of monks who once lived in Lebanon's mountains. Those monks relied on fresh vegetables that were easy to find nearby.
The salad's flavor comes mainly from how the eggplant is prepared. Whole eggplants are charred over an open flame until the skin blackens and the flesh becomes smoky and soft. Afterward, the skin is removed, and the eggplant is finely diced or mashed. Separately, tomatoes, onions, and parsley are chopped into small pieces. A simple dressing is made from extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and often pomegranate molasses. Everything is then mixed together.
A single serving of raheb contains about 292 calories, 27 grams of total fat (4 grams saturated), no cholesterol, 13 grams of carbohydrates, and 2 grams of protein.
- field
- Cuisine
- nationality
- Lebanese
- known_for
- Simple, healthy, natural components reminiscent of the austere diet of monks
Quick Facts
- Country
- Lebanon
- Course
- Mezze
- Main Ingredient
- Eggplants, tomatoes, onions, parsley
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The name 'Raheb' is Arabic for 'monk'. The salad's appellation is widely attributed to its simple, healthy, and natural components, which are said to be reminiscent of the austere diet of monks living in the Lebanese mountains. These monks would traditionally consume foods readily available from their immediate environment, primarily fresh vegetables.
Reader's Guide
Raheb salad's distinct flavor comes primarily from its preparation of eggplant. Whole eggplants are traditionally charred over an open flame until the skin is blackened and the flesh is smoky and tender. After cooking, the eggplants are peeled and finely diced or mashed. Separately, fresh vegetables such as tomatoes, onions, and parsley are finely diced. A simple dressing of extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and often pomegranate molasses is prepared. Finally, all ingredients are combined and mixed. A typical recipe of raheb has the following nutritional values per serving: Calories: 292, Total fat (g): 27, Saturated fat (g): 4, Cholesterol (mg): 0, Carbohydrates (g): 13, Protein (g): 2.
Did You Know?
- Raheb salad is also known as monk's salad.
- The name 'Raheb' is Arabic for 'monk'.
- The salad is served as part of a selection of mezze.
- A typical serving has 292 calories and 27 grams of total fat.
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