Mushrooms are not common in the Middle East but you do find them—in Cyprus, for instance.

　　

Ingredients

serves 2-4

　　1/2 pound small button mushrooms

　　3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

　　1 tablespoon water

　　Salt and pepper

　　Juice of 1/2–1 lemon

　　1/2 teaspoon dried thyme (optional)

　　1 or 2 cloves garlic, crushed

　　4 tablespoons finely chopped flat-leaf parsley

　　

Step 1

Wash the mushrooms. Cut them in half if they are a little large.

　　

Step 2

Pour the oil and water into a frying pan. Stir in all the remaining ingredients except the mushrooms and bring to the boil. Add the mushrooms and simmer gently for about 7 minutes, or until they are tender, turning them over occasionally. Pour into a serving dish.

　　

Step 3

Taste and adjust the seasoning before serving, as its intensity changes with the drop in temperature.

　　

Step 4

Serve cold.

　　The New Book of Middle Eastern Food Copyright © 2000Knopf