12/12/24 | Winter 1

We will be closing at 5pm on Christmas Eve and closed on Christmas Day. Please stop by before 5pm on 12-24 to stock up on your holiday sides! We'll have larger takeout sizes available for anyone feeding a crowd!

December Feature

Batata Harra -

Seasoned Potatoes



Don't let the name fool you -- simplicity is what makes this month's special so good! Roasted potatoes with garlic and cilantro, this warm dish is so satisfying and enticing for even the pickiest eater.

The Sassool team enjoyed this dish several times when visiting Lebanon-- as a side or very often IN a pita! It is vegan and gluten free and already a major hit!

Order as a side on your meal/combo OR take to-go in a deli container for $9.99 per pound.

Order ahead large quantities to take to parties and gatherings. Email your order to catering@sassool.com

It's Christmas Cookie

Box Time!

Whether you make assorted holiday cookies for Christmas cookies boxes or for a hostess gift at a holiday gathering--there is no better time to try new recipes of delicious cookies.

Why not bake something different this year that will surprise and delight with each bite? Enjoy this a recipe for extra special Snickerdoodle Molasses cookies.

Ingredients (Find ** items in our market)

For the spice blend

• 1 tablespoon ground ginger**
• 1 tablespoon ground cardamom**
• ¹/₄ teaspoon ground nutmeg**
• ¹/₄ teaspoon ground cloves**
• ¹/₈ teaspoon ground coriander**

For the cookies

• 2 cups AP flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ¹/₂ teaspoon baking soda
• ¹/₄ teaspoon cream of tartar
• ³/₄ teaspoon kosher salt**
• 1 ¹/₂ teaspoons spice blend, recipe above
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ¹/₂ cup brown sugar
• ¹/₂ cup unsalted butter
• ¹/₃ cup olive oil **
• 1 egg, at room temperature
• 2 tablespoons date molasses**
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, for rolling
• 1 teaspoon spice blend, for rolling

Directions

1. To make the spice blend, combine all of the spices in a small bowl and whisk together.
2. Place butter in a small saucepan and set over medium heat. Cook until butter is foamy and beginning to brown, about 6 minutes. Remove from heat and transfer the butter to the bowl of a stand mixer and let cool to room temperature.
3. Meanwhile, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cream of tartar, salt, and 1 1/2 teaspoons spice blend. Set aside.
4. When the butter is cooled, add sugar, and brown sugar to the mixing bowl. Beat with paddle attachment for about 1 minute, until all of the sugar is coated, and the mixture has the consistency of wet sand. With the mixer on low speed, stream in olive oil and continue mixing until combined.
5. Add the egg, vanilla, and molasses, and mix until combined, then gradually add dry ingredients, mixing until just incorporated and no dry streaks remain. They will be very wet, that’s ok!
6. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and transfer to the refrigerator. Chill for at least 30 minutes. When the dough is chilled, scoop onto a parchment lined baking sheet. At this time, you can bake the cookies or transfer them to the freezer and bake them off a few at a time.
7. When you’re ready to bake, preheat the oven to 375° F and line a sheet pan with parchment paper. In a small bowl, combine sugar and spice blend. Roll each cookie ball in the sugar and place on a baking sheet, spaced 1-2” inches apart. Bake for 8-10 minutes. Let cool on the pan for 5 minutes, then enjoy!

This blog has a collection of Christmas Cookies with Middle Eastern Flair. Enough recipe to fill a HUGE cookie box! Find many of the spices and ingredients in our Sassool Market section!

Here are some other ingredients you'll find in our market that may be helpful when baking!

• Honey and Molasses
• Orange Blossom Water
• Jams and Preserves
• Sliced almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts and pistachio kernels
• Dried cranberries, currants, figs and SO MUCH MORE
• Baking Dates and Pressed Apricots
• Semolina flour
• Sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds
• Spices like cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg
• Coconut Oil, Olive Oil

Maggy Awards

Celebrate the best of Western Wake by voting for your favorite local businesses, professionals, and restaurants in Cary Magazine's 2025 Maggy Awards!

Your vote helps highlight the hardworking individuals and unique establishments that make our community shine. Show your support and help recognize excellence by casting your vote today!

Voting closes on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at 5 p.m. EST.

Winners of this readers-choice contest will be announced in the April issue of Cary Magazine.

Some of the categories that may suit our concept would be ...

Best Mediterranean

Best Specialty Diets

Best Healthy Options

How Much Do I Order?

It's always intimidating ordering for a large group! Use these portion suggestions to simplify the process a bit, when ordering takeout deli containers from our fresh case!

Also check out this helpful video about how much to order!

January Feature

Pistachio Basil Hummus



The 6th Annual Hummus Mix-Off was a huge success and so much fun. Guests who came to Sassool in Cary on December 7th got to sample and vote on their favorite hummus. The Pistachio Basil Hummus pulled ahead for a win and we are SO excited to feature it in our display cases in January!

When you try this hummus, you'll notice the toasty flavor of the pistachios and spices like cumin. We tested it out and give it two thumbs up when dipping pita, veggies and/or meat in this amazing flavor of hummus.

Order it as a side on your combo OR take it home in deli containers, $9.99/lb .

We want to give a final congratulations to the top three hummus contestants for their amazing flavors of hummus, especially Roshuana, who created the Pistachio Hummus.

We look forward to having another Hummus Mix Off, open to the public, next August. Stay tuned on our social media for the invite to sign up!

Holiday Suggestions

Here are several of our salads and sides that we offer EVERYDAY that would look (and taste) great at your holiday table!

If you'd like to preorder any items on our menu for Christmas or any other holiday coming up, please click the button "Email Us" below.

SIDES that go well with the holidays would be:

• Batata Harra (in picture) Autumn Root Salad (in picture)
• Roasted Beet Salad (in picture)
• Sweet Potato Salad (in picture)
• Mjadarah
• Lebanese Green Beans
• Roasted Vegetables
• Corn Salad

STARTERS and snacks:

• Hummus and/or Tatziki + pita
• Stuffed Grapeleaves
• Kibbeh and Falafel
• Oven Pizzettes (cut into wedges)
• Assorted Nuts and mixes from our market section
• Cheeses and olives from our market section

ENTREES:

• Kabobs (chicken, beef, kafta)
• Shawarma (chicken, beef/lamb)
• Vegetable lasagna*
• Pasta and Chicken in Bechamel sauce*
• Spanakopita*



*allow at least 24 hours notice for these to be prepared

E-Gift Cards

Purchase them HERE

We ALSO have physical gift cards in both restaurants for purchase as well.

When purchasing ONLINE, the FIRST email that you receive with purchase confirmation will have the QR code needed to redeem the gift card value. This would be the email to pass to the recipient of the gift card (if sending to someone).