[caption id="attachment_1660" align="alignnone" width="900"]? On the winter menu at Noha's guesthouse in Ein Zebde[/caption] darb el karam never ceases impressing its visitors in all seasons, in winter like in summer; impressing them with his hosts and their warm hearts and true smiles, the generosity and quality of the food, and the one-of-a-kind experience weaved around culinary activities and food heritage. [caption id="attachment_1661" align="alignnone" width="900"]breakfast at sonia1 Homemade goat labneh and cheese, but also heart-capturing makdous at Sonia's in Saghbine[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1662" align="alignnone" width="900"]Lovely Sonia surrounded by the beautiful ladies Lovely Sonia surrounded by the beautiful ladies[/caption] A group of journalists with their families were invited to spend a day on darb el karam in West Bekaa. They started their day early in the morning with a traditional breakfast at Botrous and Sonia’s modest house in Saghbine. For this special occasion, Sonia has prepared, among other traditional foods, fresh baladi cheese and labneh from the milk of the family’s goats. [quote]It has been a long time since I enjoyed a delicious baladi breakfast[/quote] said Reema while sipping her cup of tea. [caption id="attachment_1663" align="alignnone" width="900"]Posing with "3ammo" Botrous and his goats! Posing with "3ammo" Botrous and his goats![/caption] After having coffee on the balcony overviewing the Qaraoun Lake, the group challenged the cold weather and went on a soft hike with “3ammo” Botrous from the mountains of Saghbine towards Ein Zebde where they met with Nabila who has set for a coffee break in the village plaza. [caption id="attachment_1664" align="alignnone" width="900"]Coffee break with Nabila in Ein Zebde plaza Coffee break with Nabila in Ein Zebde plaza[/caption] Before heading to lunch, the group joined Nabila to collect the season’s wild edible plants, enough to make fatayer (pastries), salads and other appetizers! [quote]We need to do this more often![/quote] shouted Katia as she filled her lungs with fresh air, on top of the mountain. [caption id="attachment_1665" align="alignnone" width="900"] Do you remember the name of this plant Rita? :) [/caption] Our visitors did not only have scrumptious meals highlighting each village they visited, but they also learned how to make the famous potato kebbe of Noha and the mouthwatering kaak of Lina! [caption id="attachment_1672" align="alignnone" width="900"]The beautifully set table of Noha The beautifully set table of Noha[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1670" align="alignnone" width="900"]"It was hard to resist the pumpkin kebbe" "It was hard to resist the pumpkin kebbe of Lina"[/caption] [caption id="attachment_1669" align="alignnone" width="900"]All we can say is that Reema excelled at making potato kebbe! All we can say is that Reema excelled at making potato kebbe![/caption] [caption id="attachment_1667" align="alignnone" width="900"]It can't be more cozy and warm around the stove! It can't be more cozy and warm around the stove![/caption] [caption id="attachment_1666" align="alignnone" width="900"]At Lina's table, it was all about pumpkin! In Kherbet Kanafar, Lina's menu was all about pumpkin![/caption]