10-Tonne Hummus Victory In Lebanon-Israel's Gastronomy Wars

Lebanon on Saturday claimed another victory in the continuing battle with Israel over which country can make the largest plate of the chickpea delicacy hummus -- with a 10-tonne broadside.

More than 300 chefs set the new record for hummus, which the Lebanese say is their national dish despite Israeli claims, in the presence of a Guinness World Records representative who confirmed its weight at 10,452 kilograms.

Hybrids Lose Out At Lebanon's Car Fest: Glitz and Glam Wins
Eco-friendly or petrol-head? Lebanon's government would prefer to go green, but market forces dictate otherwise in a country where glitz and glam take front seat for many a prospective car buyer.

Hummus is a dip made of chick peas, sesame paste, olive oil, lemon juice and garlic. The chefs mixed the ingredients together in a giant plate which itself claimed a record for the largest earthenware dish.

The latest Lebanese shot across Israel's culinary bows came amid a gastronomic fight between two countries still technically at war.

In January, 50 chefs in the Arab-Israeli village of Abu Ghosh near Jerusalem mashed up more than four tonnes of hummus, beating a Guinness record set in Lebanon just months previously.

Lebanon's Water Treasure is Wasting Away
Twice a week the 60-year-old Rose Hatem has to buy water for her daily needs, though her home overlooks the Mediterranean and is just a short distance from one of Lebanon's longest rivers.

Both hummus and tabbouleh -- a salad made with parsley, bulgur wheat, scallions and tomatoes -- are being used as ammunition in the cultural cuisine campaign. The Lebanese set the tabbouleh record last year.

Israel exports hummus widely, and is accused of claiming an Arab dish as its own.

Nightmarish Traffic in Lebanon
The need to resolve an increasingly nightmarish traffic situation seems to be on top of the agenda in Lebanon.

Now the Lebanese have also set their sights on falafel, which is popular in Lebanon, Syria, Egypt and ... Israel. On Sunday they will try to set a world record for that also.

Source-AFP
TAN

Lebanon's Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Women Speak Out
A team of lesbian, bisexual, and transgender women face law and social taboo in Lebanon with a little pink-and-white book.