Lebanese Food Festival returns to suburban Lombard

LOMBARD, Ill. (WLS) -- Old-world recipes and traditions come alive at the eighth annual Lebanese Food Festival.

The three-day indoor and outdoor festival takes place Sept. 4-6 at Our Lady of Lebanon Church in Lombard, Ill.

The festival features authentic Lebanese food, belly dancers, live bands and folklore dance troupes. The annual festival is an entertaining and educational experience of Lebanon's rich history and customs.

Pierrette Hazkial and Madeleine Malek from the Lebanese Food Festival visited ABC7 to show how to create the traditional dish Zaatar and Cheese Manakeesh.

The eighth annual Lebanese Food Festival

Saturday, Sept. 5 from 2-11 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 6 from noon- 9 p.m.

Our Lady of Lebanon Church: 950 North Grace Street, Lombard, Ill. 60148

Admission/ticket prices: Free admission and entertainment and food is reasonably priced with families in mind.

Deadline to register: N/A

Is this open to the public? Yes

RECIPE:

Easy make-it-at-home Zaatar and Cheese Manakeesh recipe

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons of zaatar (which is a mixture of ground or dried thyme, roasted sesame seeds and sumac)

2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil

1 large size wheat or white tortilla

Optional amount of cheddar cheese

Optional amount of a thinly sliced cucumber for topping

Optional amount of mint leaves for topping

Optional amount of tomatoes for topping

Serving size: One large sized manooshi

Preparation:

1. Place tortilla on griddle and place it on stove at medium to high heat

2. In a small bowl, mix the zaatar and olive oil

3. Spread the zaatar mixture on the tortilla

4. Sprinkle cheese over the zaatar mixture (optional)

5. Let it cook for 5 minutes (or until cheese is melted)

6. Remove from stove, add cucumber, mint leave and tomato toppings

7. Fold in half and enjoy!