{"id":19108,"date":"2020-08-07T19:17:48","date_gmt":"2020-08-07T17:17:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bistrobadia.de\/kaak-libanesisches-strassenbrot\/"},"modified":"2024-01-30T05:20:32","modified_gmt":"2024-01-30T04:20:32","slug":"kaak-lebanese-street-bread","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bistrobadia.de\/en\/kaak-lebanese-street-bread\/","title":{"rendered":"Kaak: Lebanese street bread"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you’re out and about in Beirut and you’re hungry, all you have to do is wait a few minutes on the spot and one of the many travelling food stalls will pass you by. It was like this before the big explosion at the port and it will always be like this in the future. Some of these street food stalls specialise in kaak – Lebanese street bread.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Like a wild mix of sesame ring and bagel<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Personally, I can never get past this delicacy. No matter what there has been to eat before, I always have to at least take it home with me. Yes, I’m a bit of a hoarder in that sense. But when you’re only in Lebanon once every few years, that should be allowed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The great thing about Kaak? If you can’t decide whether you’d rather have a sesame ring or a bagel, you’re well served here. You have both at once. The bread is nice and crispy on the outside thanks to the sesame seeds and super fluffy on the inside. And because kaak also looks a bit like a handbag, it’s often called pocket bread.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Kaak
Kaak is hung on wooden poles on the streets of Beirut from moving street food bakeries.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

There are many types of kaak<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This variant of kaak is actually just one of many. Kaak is available as street bread, as a sweet biscuit, as filled biscuits, as a kind of cantuccini and so on. In time, I will of course share these recipes with you too. The pocket bread is traditionally enjoyed with olive oil, za’atar, labneh and fresh vegetables. But you can also top it as you would a bagel or roll. I love topping kaak with a good gouda and tomato, sprinkling za’atar on top and then putting the filled bread in the sandwich maker or panini oven. Then add a cup of sweetened black tea and some olives. It’s divine, really!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Kaak
The bread is crispy on the outside and wonderfully fluffy on the inside. Perfect for spreading and topping.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The dough: Spectacular, but easy!<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The dough for kaak is super easy to make and also goes faster than you probably think. Before I made this delicious pocket bread for the first time, I really respected it. I was all the more surprised at how easy it was in the end. But before you start planning your next baking session, you must first go in search of the seedling of the mysterious rock cherry: Mahleb!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mahleb is a spice that is mainly used in pastries. It has a very unique scent and taste. The closest thing I could compare it to is almond. But don’t worry, you don’t have to climb a rock to get the spice. Every Oriental supermarket carries it and you can also buy it online without any problems. Add a drop or two of orange blossom and rose water to the batter. If you like, you can also add some aniseed, but you don’t have to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Usually, the bread is baked in a stone oven with very high heat. Of course, that doesn’t work at home. But don’t worry, my recipe works perfectly in the regular oven. However, it will be a little thicker than the original in Beirut. There, it is usually thinner and somewhat firmer in consistency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Kaak
Kaak can be topped with your favourite ingredients.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Kaak<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Kaak is an absolute Lebanese classic, but it is also eaten a lot in Syria and other parts of the Levant. What I particularly like about it? Besides the delicious taste, kaak is super varied for me and always brings its own special flavour. I love to fill the bottom part of the bread and tear off the top sheet for dipping. Sometimes I dip the top ring in my tea too. But how you ultimately enjoy kaak is entirely up to you and your creativity. Either way, it’s sure to taste good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Kaak
Kaak is multifunctional. You can simply detach the “handle” and use it for dipping.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Kaak
Just dip…<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Recipe for Kaak<\/h2>\n\n\n
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\"Kaak<\/div>\n \n<\/div>\n\n
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