Top 20 Middle Eastern recipes

A fantastic healthy dip perfect for the holidays or anytime you might have company coming. Butternut squash is roasted with an Arabic Ras El Hanout spice mixture. Based on a recipe by Gordon Ramsay.

Prepare your recipe for kefta meatballs. Let them simmer for at least an hour in this spicy tomato-based sauce.

A tasty hummus recipe made with a bit of lemon juice and curry powder. Perfect for dips or as a sandwich spread.

This version of the garlicky roasted eggplant dip does not have tahini in it as with a traditional version. While I really like an "authentic" baba ghanoush, I also enjoy the commercial Sabra brand, which uses mayo and some spices. It is slightly sweet and has a little kick. This is my rendition.

The combination of orange and spices paired with dark chocolate makes these pretty cookies from Mary LaRock of Waukesha unique and delicious. Their interesting shape enhances any cookie platter.

Creamy and tasty tzatziki sauce is quick and easy to make, and packed with flavor. A delicious addition to accomplish any meat course.

A very clean and fresh traditional middle-eastern salad.

Alton Brown's homemade gyro meat: ground lamb processed to a paste with onion, garlic, and herbs, baked and pressed dense so it slices thin, served on pita with cool homemade tzatziki, tomato, and feta.

Hawaiian baklava reinvents the Greek classic with tropical macadamia nuts, pecans, and toasted coconut between buttery phyllo layers, soaked in honey-lemon syrup. Pacific island flavors meet Mediterranean technique.

Quick, easy to make, and it's also very tasty. Serve this freshly homemade hummus with store-bought or homemade pita bread.

When I have abundant seasonal vegetables, I love making this vegetable casserole, and most of the time I just enjoy it with a loaf of good bread. That is all you need for a good meal.

Classic hummus blended creamy from chickpeas, tahini, lemon, and garlic, finished with a paprika-spiced olive oil drizzle. A quick, no-cook vegan dip for pita and crisp raw vegetables.

Garam masala lamb kebabs marinated in spiced yogurt with ginger, garlic, and fresh coriander, then grilled until charred and finished with a dusting of warm, toasted garam masala. Includes a from-scratch spice blend.

This was FANTASTIC!! I am not a huge fan of eggplant, but I recently tried baba ganoush at a restaurant. I really, really liked it so I had to find a recipe to try at home. This was a huge success. Very easy recipe to make and very, very tasty!!

Tender lamb chunks braised with turmeric, cardamom, and nutmeg, then folded with wilted spinach and tangy yogurt. This Afghan stew packs warm spice and bright citrus over fluffy rice pilaf.

A quick, easy yet tasty carrot salad goes well with roast, casserole or any main course.

Middle Eastern beef kibbe patties made with bulgur wheat, pine nuts, cinnamon, cayenne, and fresh lemon juice. Pan-fried until golden and served with cool yogurt on the side.

Baba ghannuj eggplant appetizer baked whole and mashed with tahini, garlic, lemon juice, and a drizzle of olive oil. The vegan Middle Eastern dip that turns one eggplant into a dinner-table star.

Tomatoey tabouli: a hearty Middle Eastern grain salad with bulgur and pearl barley soaked in tomato juice, finished with lemon, olive oil, parsley, and scallions.

Tender braised pot roast with Mediterranean spices, olives, and tomatoes. This aromatic one-pot dinner fills your kitchen with the warm scent of cumin, cinnamon, and garlic.