Rose Water, Orange Water, Pomegranate Molasses

Good news for North Raleigh  — Neomonde has opened its third location in Harvest Plaza, Six Forks and Strickland Road.  No more driving downtown, no more trekking out to Morrisville.  Now we have it all, right here!  Fresh baked pita bread, speciality Middle Eastern food market, and tasty deli dishes to eat in or take out. Try the pasteries made with filo dough and pistachios — delicious!

According to its website, www.neomonde.com, the company’s history is a tale of three immigrants who came to the new world (hence the name) and built a business.  Three brothers fleeing the civil war in Lebanon came to Raleigh and, in 1977, opened a small bakery in a Raleigh strip mall.  Today over 200 different kinds of bread are baked in their main facility in Morrisville.  In addition, there are three cafe`/market locations, including the newest on in North Raleigh, as well as an upscale restaurant in downtown called Sitti.

The Mediterranean maket section of the store contains exotic ingredients not usually found in the American pantry.   I admit that not many of my recipes call for rose water or orange water — used to flavor sweets — but I wouldn’t be without pomegranate molasses.  Just try a spoonful of two  added to vegetables or meat and you’ll see what I mean.  And while you’re in Neomonde picking up some pomegranate molasses, be sure to get some pita bread to take home.  It’s the best!