March 26
steps 12,000
Friday, we decided to go to St. Elias Lebanese Food and Culture Festival in Birmingham at St. Elias Maronite Catholic Church. The day was cloudy but bright. The mood was festive. We called the day before as there was no drive-up line. A guy in the office offered to meet us in front of the church with cross and take our order and cc. He delivered it to us. We sat in the car and ate right there in front of the church.
Our food order was $57, but we have eaten from it twice. This will feed us for two more meals.
I had the grilled chicken plate with 1/2 grilled chicken, pita bread, rice, and green beans cooked in tomato and spices. I ordered a meat pie. It is sort of like a very fat fried pie or hand pie. Plus, I ordered bread, savory. I did not expect flat bread, like pita with a filling. It is okay and should be my lunch or dinner tomorrow. The rice was wonderful. I only ate breast. Tommy will get a meal or two from the remainder.
Tommy had baked kibbee plate. Kibbee is ground chuck with spices and baked in a dish and cut into diamond shapes. He also had the green beans and rice.
We discussed desserts. The ice cream had nuts, so I did not want to take a chance. Tommy wanted a doughnut. I wanted a bite. He said to order one for me. "But, I might not like it." He said he would eat it. The doughnuts had no hole. It was the shape and larger than a Honey Bun, not round. The outside was crispy and the inside was dense. We both ate our doughnut right then except for a small piece I brought home.
There was a list of the foods and ingredients. Lebanese use a lot of cinnamon, so I was afraid Tommy would reject things because of the cinnamon. I reminded him I used cinnamon in my spaghetti, and it never tasted like cinnamon. He made no comments about the taste.
stelias.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/2025-Festival-Food-Descriptions.pdf
About twenty years ago, I was invited along with other friends to a home in Birmingham. Dinner would be whatever each person wanted to order and pay for. I had a salad that was drenched in lemon juice which I ate. The next morning when I awoke at home in Cullman, I could not see my ears because my face was so swollen. I was not taking a chance today.
I mentioned this to man who helped us. He nodded and said the Lebanese use lemon juice like we do olive oil. No, no way to avoid it in my order.
There was a list of souvenirs, including a coin skirt. This baffled me. The guy who helped us was standing there when I saw a young woman with something sheer with gold trinkets around the edge. When asked, he said it was for dancing. I really wanted one of those. Next time! No, not going to dance. Okay, maybe.
Have you ever been to a Lebanese Food Festival?
Sounds a good outing.
ReplyDeleteI've never been to a Lebanese Food Festival.
We have a Chilli and Cheese Food Festival locally later in the year.
All the best Jan
Jan,
DeleteI have never heard of a chili and cheese festival. Sounds interesting.
We go every year to St Elias food festival. This year we only did take out but most years we eat there and enjoy the entertainment.
ReplyDeleteAnne,
DeleteI thought you might have gone there. One of these years we will see entertainment.
That sounds like a nice outing, just getting out of the house can give you a good mental break. The food sounds interesting and delicious.
ReplyDeleteBelinda,
DeleteI agree that getting out of the house is a great mental break. I needed that. The food is interesting and good.
Glad you enjoyed the outing. I think you have to have a palette for that type of food. I do not.
ReplyDeleteCheryl,
DeleteI think you might be surprised at how good the food actually was. At least it was not Thai.
Your outing sounds delightful--and delicious as well! I'm sure it was a wonderful treat after feeling so poorly for so long. I've never been to Lebanese food festival or cultural fair, but you make it sound like a good time.
ReplyDeleteI would have tried/eaten everything you and Tommy did. Those crispy, sweet, dense doughnuts sound heavenly.
Better stay away from those coin skirts, Linda. You'll put it on and try to 'trip the light fantastic'--and actually trip! LOL
Sue,
DeleteIt was fun and tasty eating under the trees with festive people about. I wish I had another donut to dip in milk. Oh, forgot to say, the doughnuts were piping hot.
I was going to sit in chair and swish the skirt at Tommy.
I don't think that I have ever had Lebanese food
ReplyDeleteMs. Sandie,
DeleteTry it if you ever have the opportunity.
When I lived in Chicago there was a local Lebanese restaurant. Nice place. I miss this sort of food.
ReplyDeleteUrspo,
DeleteI could eat it more often.
So I take it you’re feeling better?
ReplyDelete-Meg B.
Meg,
DeleteWorse.
Lebanese Food Festival?
ReplyDeleteNo, I have not been to a Lebanese Food Festival But almost all of those items you mentioned are available from the take out counter at my local store.
My neighborhood market is very interesting. The main area caters to our Mexican Families. Tortillas are made in store. There is also a high population of Chaldeans in my town.
The Chaldeans are Catholics who moved to the US for many reasons. Detroit Michigan has the highest population followed by my town, El Cajon Ca.
The Chaldean people come from Northern Iraq. They are Lebanon's next door neighbor so the food is very similar. My town has many Chaldean grocery stores, bakeries, and meat markets. We even have a store dedicated to spices of all sorts.
In the Bible the area these people come from is called Babylon.
Janet,
DeleteThis was a very interesting comment. You educated us. I am also aware of Ur of the Chaldees.
Hope all is well with you and Tommy, Linda.
ReplyDeletecomme ci, comme ca
DeleteThat sounds like a memorable outing—good food, kind people, and the comfort of shared experience, even if enjoyed from the front seat of a car. Your attention to flavor and detail brought it all to life; I could almost taste the grilled chicken and rice myself. It’s always a gift when food carries both nourishment and story. And I hope next time you treat yourself to that coin skirt, whether or not there's dancing involved—sometimes it's just good to have a little sparkle waiting in the wings.
ReplyDeleteMelody,
DeleteI may yet get one of those skirts! ...with or without dancing.
What a lovely outing! It sounds like you had a wonderful time at the St. Elias Lebanese Food and Culture Festival, even if the weather was a little cloudy. It’s great that the church made it so easy for you to enjoy the food from the comfort of your car. I’m glad to hear the grilled chicken plate was so satisfying, and it’s always nice when a meal stretches to multiple servings.
ReplyDeleteThe kibbee plate sounds like a unique treat as well—something I’d love to try someday! It’s funny how your conversation about cinnamon came up, especially since it’s such a versatile spice. Sometimes it’s amazing how ingredients can blend so well in unexpected ways.
It seems like you had a great balance of trying new things and enjoying familiar favorites. Plus, those doughnuts sound delicious, crispy on the outside and dense on the inside—what a perfect way to end a fun outing!
www.melodyjacob.com
Melody,
DeleteIt was a good day. Delicious food in a great setting with a fine companion is always excellent.