KOSHER CLUB
If needed, one glance at The Palomar’s trophy cabinet is proof that Levantine food is finally being taken seriously by international foodies. Head chef Tomer Amedi’s style slaps you in the face with salt, then cauterises the wound with lemon and chilli. “I come from a culture where food is everything,” he says. “I’m Jewish, so we have a lot of holidays – they tried to kill us, we survived, so let’s eat.”
01- SALT OF THE EARTH
“Salt tends to be misunderstood,” says Amedi. “Used correctly it magnifies everything else on your plate. I use kosher salt – it contains less iodine and has more texture.” Salt’s bad rep at the nutritionist’s table is unfair: your body will put it to work after a gruelling session – be that at the squat rack or on the sauce.
02- SUMAC DOWN
You can be generous with sumac as well, another Levantine staple. “Use it instead of lemon,” says Amedi. “It has a zestiness that lingers and gives dishes an extra depth of flavour.” Sumac comes out on top for antioxidant capacity, too, beating headlinegrabbing turmeric into submission.
03- UNREFINED TASTES
For sweetness and sourness, Amedi adds pomegranate molasses to dishes as a meat glaze. Not only is it rather more exotic than sprinkling a teaspoon of Tate & Lyle, it’s packed with folate and vitamin C, so you’re essentially marinating your meat in Berocca. “Use it in an oxtail stew or as a base for a vinaigrette – it’s that versatile,” says Amedi.
04- COMPLEMENTARY ARRANGEMENTS
A Middle Eastern blend of sesame seeds, herbs and salt, Za’atar gives food an aromatic edge. “For the perfect side dish, serve it on houmous,” says Amedi. With studies showing it can protect DNA from disrepair, the doc will be as pleased as your dinner guests.
05- INTERNATIONAL TREASURE
The use of cumin is a common thread running throughout the Levantine regions. “It covers a huge area, from Morocco to Turkey and everywhere in between,” says Amedi. “You can wiggle between different cuisines with this one spice, from tagines to kebabs.” It also happens to be revered throughout the world in helping with blood sugar control and cancer prevention.