Middle Eastern Food

Many times a year, I go to my relative's house for dinner. My relatives from my father's side are Lebanese. Many of them have deep roots, which gives me the opportunity to try many new Middle Eastern foods. At my relative's house, there is never a shortage of food, and as soon as the food begins to come out of the kitchen, it is a never ending process. This makes it very difficult not to over-stuff my stomach. The meals are very memorable, as well as tasty. The food my aunt Lucy makes is almost all Lebanese food, with few exceptions. This makes dinner very exquisite. When it comes to dessert, my aunt usually makes many by hand. When eating the meal, I usually feel a sense of respect for all the food made. The meal is usually prepared many days in advance to the event, as well the preparation. The whole process of making the food is very long, making it very savory when eaten. When I am at my relative's house, it is more often than not I find myself trying to eat as much food as possible. It makes me feel terrible when my aunt goes to all the trouble of cooking and I do not eat a lot. Therefore, I usually starve myself the day the dinner occurs. This way I am starving by the time I go to their house. The dinners are very unique, as well as special. It gives me an understanding, as well as a feeling of being tied to my heritage, being that I am half Lebanese.