Hot, Oven-Fresh Meat and Spinach Pies
I’ve never been to Lebanon, but fortunately Dearborn, MI, which is only about 20 minutes from where I grew up, is home to the largest Lebanese population outside of Lebanon. That means deliciously authentic and fresh Lebanese treats are never too far away and always on the agenda when I make a trip home to Michigan. If you’re inspired by the newest Miss USA, Lebanese-American Rima Fakih, or just want to try some of the best Lebanese baked goods I have ever had, you don’t have to get on a plane to get onboard.
While you can’t enjoy the piping hot meat or spinach pies that come out fresh from the wood burning ovens, you can place an order for some of Dearborn’s New Yasmeen Bakery specialties online, including their fresh pita bread {this is the real stuff people, not the thick dry pita you find at the grocery store} or sweet baked goods, like Baklava or Date Maamoul. Of course if you happen to be traveling to the Detroit area, I highly recommend a trip to the bakery to pick up those meat/spinach pies or some hummus that comes out so smooth and creamy, it’s hard to be convinced its made only from chick peas, lemon, garlic and tahini. Or pick up some fresh za’atar bread for something truly unique {hot oven-fresh flat bread topped with olive oil and za’atar spice which is a combination of dried thyme, oregano, marjaram and toasted sesame seeds}. At the very least, check out New Yasmeen’s website to learn about the legend of how this amazing bakery came to be, or just for a few laughs if you watch the brief cartoon of a camel teaching you how authentic pita bread is made {watch here}. Whatever it takes!
The Skim: Having a difficult time finding better hummus than pre-packed Sabra at your local grocery store? Visiting Detroit and looking for good local eats? It may seem like a stretch on your culinary palate, but you will not be disappointed by the amazing Lebanese food coming out of the New Yasmeen Bakery. {13900 W. Warren, Dearborn, MI 48126}
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