Subscription Notification
Please update your billing information
Your subscription will end shortly

Way out east

Lebanon is the country that put Middle Eastern food on the map. But what is it that makes it taste so good? Grab your flat bread and prepare to find out, says Karim Haïdar

Lebanese flat bread is available from most Lebanese or oriental grocers and the food halls of large department stores. Otherwise, use pitta bread. It’s slightly thicker than flat bread, but it will serve your purpose. All the other ingredients are readily available.


Serves 6

36 asparagus spears
Olive oil
1 clove of garlic, crushed
10 young asparagus tips
500ml natural yoghurt
25ml double cream
50g cornflour
1 Lebanese flat bread, sliced into thin strips
1 handful pine nuts
1 handful cherry tomatoes

Clean the asparagus spears and boil in salted water until cooked (it should be a lovely fresh, green colour), then transfer to a pan and fry in a little olive oil with a crushed clove of garlic,