Sydney Morning Herald (Good Living - Tuesday July 2010)

Full of Eastern Promise

By day, Hayssam Bejjani works in legal publishing.  At other times he focuses on Sami's Kitchen, a range of four spice blends inspired by Middle Eastern flavours.  The new business venture started in Christchurch, New Zealand, where Bejjani's parents have a Lebanese-style cafe, Sami's. 

Thinking it was time for their parents to take life easier, their three children developed the spice range, based on mum's recipes.  The blends - shish tawook, shawarma, falafel and zaatar - are made in Sydney where Bejjani lives and works.  "We've used the best-quality ingredients we could find and while there are recipes, we encourage people to experiment," he says.  "So, try putting falafel spices on a piece of fish."

The resealable spice packs, 82 grams each, cost from $6.95.  Stockists include Craig Cook's Prime Quality Meats, Northbridge and Rhodes; Hudson Meats, Lane Cove; Blackwattle Deli, Fish Market.  See www.samiskitchen.com.au.

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