Special occasions in the Lebanese culture involving food, are not to be taking lightly. Organization of such dinner parties or brunches (regardless the amount of guests), involves numerous steps, and the preparation of foods and dining area are done days in advance!

The author/chef, Kamal Al-Faqih, is a first generation American, with a strong Lebanese family history. Since the publication of his book, Classic Lebanese Cuisine - 170 Fresh and Healthly Mediterranean Favorites in September 2009, it has remained in the top 20 best sellers of Middle Eastern cookbooks and top 40 best sellers of Mediterranean cookbooks on Amazon's best sellers ranking, worldwide.

 At first glance the recipe seems intimidating and complex due to the number of components and the elaborate presentation. I was unsure how the folding and filling of the pancakes would occur. However, the pancakes are only cooked on one side, thus the non-cooked side stays sticky and allows for folding, creating a pocket for the cream. Overall, the instructions were very direct and easy to follow. (There’s even a “How-to” video made by the author http://play.tojsiab.com/RGFiOFBkTnlBT3cz ).