Last week, I attended a gathering of appartment owners from several buildings , buildings meant to be demolished and rebuilt - within what's called 'Urban Renewal' project. I've mentioned this project in two previous posts (13 March 2021;10 January 2023).
It was not the first gathering (organized by the entrepeneurs) of this kind. There were several, during a period of about ten years. No success, so far. Most of the owners were reluctant to co-operate and sign the neccessary papers. Perhaps this time will be different, for two main reasons: changes done to the Law, and more space addition to each one of the new appartments, offered by the entrepeneurs and contractors.
Anyway, there's always plenty of food and beverage at the gathering; more or less the same menu , with the usual kind of sandwiches, pita pockets, salads, deserts, fruit, soda drinks, coffee. There's something for everybody, no one leaves hungry; that's for sure.
Last time it was different - very classy. Everything on the table was small size, but the variety of colors, shapes, fillings, tastes - was overwhelming! I noticed bread, rolls, but... no pita. No pita?!How could that be? The pita (flat bread) is a staple in Israel and throughout the Middle East. It goes well with any sort of stuffing (meat, cheese, tuna fish, veggies , felafel balls); it's usually padded with hummus, and its content sprinkled at the top with tahini sauce. An all age favorite, always present on the hosting table.
I checked the wrapping paper ; the name on it was that of a catering firm known as being professional and... expensive. Oh, well, the organizers have at least invested in exquisite food, hoping to cultivate our culinary taste, and on the way get our agreement to 'better' our houses.
Until next time, then!
* web pictures
I like stuffed pitas!
ReplyDeleteWell... they wanted to ingratiate themselves with the people who attended the gathering... ; ))
What's not to like? I know of no one who doesn't like stuffed pita. The intention of the organizers was good, and yet, I think, not including pita pockets was a mistake.
DeleteWinning people's hearts through their stomachs. Did it work??
ReplyDeleteExactly. It's too soon to know if it worked. The project was submitted to the approval of the relevant authorities. If it gets approved , then the real battle with the owners will start.
DeleteI really like pita bread - and most Middle Eastern cuisine. I wonder whether the projects will go ahead this time.
ReplyDeleteI wonder too. It takes time, and we are in the middle of great political and social unrest which might greatly affect our lives.
DeleteIf Pita bread is a staple part of the diet does seem strange that none was available. Never had it myself, but doesn't mean I won't in the future.
ReplyDeleteHope the house thing gets sorted out to everyone's liking.
To me it seemed strange , too. The pita is almost never absent from the table of public gatherings. I can understand, however, the organizers' will to do something different, and catch attention.
DeleteThanks for your good wishes, Margaret.
The food sounds wonderful, even though there was no pitas! It sounds much better than the meetings I go to with sausage rolls and lamingtons.
ReplyDeleteWonderful indeed. Sausage rolls and lamingtones don't sound bad either, Rosie.
DeleteThe food sounds better than the meeting. Hope there is a good outcome for everyone.
ReplyDeleteRight. The food on the table looked very appealing, whereas the subject of the meeting was already known and even boring.
DeletePita pockets are so good. Thanks for the reminder!
ReplyDeleteTrue, Marie. Filled with the right stuff , these pita pockets are delicious and nutritious.
DeleteOh, we have to have our pitas! Although, I like them for pizza too. Because it's the perfect size when it's just for me. Here's hoping you get the best results from these meetings.
ReplyDeleteOh, yes. There's the pita pizza version, liked by many. Thanks Ellie for your good hopes and wishes regarding these meetings.
Delete1. My grandmother made Russian food.
ReplyDelete2. My mother made Russian food plus salads.
3. I made Russian food plus salads plus middle eastern entrees. Pita, felafel and humous *yum*
It sounds great, Hels! Our food evoluates according to our location. That's natural, and we seem to like the blending and addition of food items quite a lot.
DeleteWholewheat pita is a staple on my grocery list. It's my all purpose food.
ReplyDeleteGood for you, Boud! Wholewheat pita is one of the best items on your shopping list. Enjoy it!
DeleteI guess, after all this time, you are sort of prepared? What a difficult time for you.
ReplyDeleteHi Jenn. Well, one is never quite prepared here. There's always someting military or political going on, and it stops things. Now, for example, there's great political unrest with our PM being on trial. I trust God, things will go well for me whatever the situation.
DeleteHope for the best outcome!
ReplyDeleteMe too. I believe in hope, prayer, faith. Thanks for your good wishes., Christine.
DeleteAn original way to attract people for the next meeting.
ReplyDeleteWell, Anonymous dear, one could say that too.
DeleteHope next time round the offer will be a win-win solution for everyone. The stuffed pita looks good.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I'm tired of it all. The real estate people are the real rulers of the country.They are not going anywhere. They'll wait until they get their way.
DeleteWe love pita pockets with hummus and veggies. I hope the people can work toward an agreeable decision that satisfies everyone but these days that can be very hard to do.
ReplyDeleteYes, Bill - these days can be quite hard to reach agreements. Anyway, we can at least agree that pita with hummus and veggies is ..tasty :)
DeleteStuffed pitas are wonderful! Hope everything turns out to suit everyone in the end.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
They certainly are. Thank you Martha for your hopes and wishes.
ReplyDeleteMy husband Bob is Lebenese. We eat Syrian Bread (pita bread) all of the time. His grandparents had a bakery in Detroit in which they made this bread in all sizes. We stuff ours with grape leaves, hummus, and other foods. I hope everyone gets a good contract in their new apartments. Janice
ReplyDeleteLiban, Syria and all the other countries in the Middle East have the pita as a staple food item. With various stuffings (like those you've mentioned in your comment) it's nothing but delicious!
DeleteThanks Janice for your kind hope.
Sounds llike they are bribing the residents with food. Hope all works out. Linda O'Connell
ReplyDeleteIt does look like some kind of bribe :) Hopefully, things work out.
DeleteI have heard a lot about Pita, but never got to taste it.
ReplyDeleteYour loss! You should give it a try!
DeleteThe pitas look yummy.
ReplyDeleteIt is yummy RC! Millions of people eat it and love it.
Deletei would like to eat those;D
ReplyDeleteNo problem. If there are no places that sell them, you can find easy recipes on the web.
DeleteI love to eat a Pita, in Belgium it's mostly served by Turkish restaurants, but you also find them in the shops and fill them yourself. My son when he comes always stops at a little Take away and buys Pitas for us !
ReplyDeleteHi ,Gattina. Glad you and your son like pitas, and that there are places in Belgium selling them. It's good, tasty stuff for all ages and nationalities.
DeleteHopefully the delicious food puts people in a good space
ReplyDeleteVery well put, Marja!
DeleteNo pita, yet very good food was served to those attending the gathering. I called it 'classy' - meaning stylish, attractive, and of excellent qualty.
ReplyDeleteThat's interesting about no pita! SOunds like the developers are wising up and serving better! But how funny, in a way. I hope all things work out in a way best for everyone, but especially the residents.
ReplyDelete" ...wising up and serving better!" - I like the phrase; there's truth in it. Thanks, Jeanie, for wishing us, the residents well.
DeleteSpeaking of pitas as you were, Duta, a few months ago when we were not abstaining from bread products for weight loss, I made pits at home. It was not only easy but fun to watch them puff up when baking. Too bad the food at the meeting did not include any, if they had, the reception and interest might have been better ?
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you find it an easy bake. I believe the people at the gathering were surprised by the lack of pitas on the table, but they adjusted to the situation quite well.
DeleteImproved apartments sounds wonderful. I've never had a stuffed pita. We have pita in the stores here but I doubt they would be good like the ones made where they are eaten every day. A vegetable filling sounds very tasty and healthful.
ReplyDeleteI went to Wisconsin and walked to a drug store to pick up a few items I did not pack. On my phone map, there was a small breakfast place that had real New Jersey Bagels. Bagels, my foot. They were a Wisconsin version. Our Georgia version is more authentic. One day, I plan to eat a real New York bagel.
Bagels are associated with jewish tradition. The New York bagel is considered special because of the quality of the water into which it is boiled before baking.
DeleteNo pita? Perhaps that would be as bad as no bagels and cream cheese at a New York City breakfast meeting (I grew up in NYC so am well familiar with good NYC bagels). Fancy food would both impress me and also make me wonder why all the expense. Urban renewal doesn't always end well where I live in the Northeastern United States. It can be done well, or it can be a nightmare.
ReplyDeleteIndeed. Urban Renewal is a bit like playing the russian roulette with the lives of the appartment owners.
DeleteYum! The photograph of the Stuffed Pitas made my mouth water. I go often with my sister to conferences that she has to attend and my favorite thing besides spending time with my sister has to be the Happy Hours they have before dinner is served. They have waiters coming out with trays of all sorts of different little appetizers to nosh on. If you don't like one, just wait as another will be on the way soon. I think noshing is my favorite thing. I prefer it to eating a full sit down meal!
ReplyDeleteFrom reading your posts I got the impression that your sister has got a good job (conferences, places, hotels, restaurants); in short, the good life, and she makes you part of it. Wonderful sister! I wish you both all the best! Enjoy!
Delete