59 middle eastern recipes

Crispy fried falafel balls with chickpeas, herbs, and warm spices. Classic Middle Eastern vegetarian patties served in pita with fresh vegetables and tahini sauce.

Silky rose-scented candy squares dusted in powdered sugar, made with cornstarch and cream of tartar. Customize with pistachios, almonds, or fruit flavors for an authentic Middle Eastern sweet.

Don't know where I heard about this sauce, but it's a great drizzle for vegetables.

Homemade chickpea falafel patties with cilantro, parsley, scallions, garlic, and cumin. A vegetarian Middle Eastern burger made from scratch with slow-cooker prepped chickpeas.

Fried eggplant and yellow squash drizzled with taratour (Lebanese tahini-lemon sauce), served with pita wedges. A Middle Eastern appetizer with crispy, golden vegetables and creamy sauce.

Middle Eastern halvah cake made with tahini, semolina, and warm spices, soaked in a citrusy orange-lemon syrup. Dense, fragrant, and not overly sweet.

Middle Eastern fried pastries filled with spiced almond-cinnamon filling and dipped in sugar syrup. Crispy finger-shaped cookies that freeze beautifully.

Sauteed eggplant, green peppers, and carrots seasoned with cinnamon, fresh parsley, and dill. A light vegetarian side dish with Middle Eastern flair.

Golden saffron cake with rose water and pistachios, soaked in vanilla sugar syrup and cut into diamonds like baklava. A fragrant Middle Eastern-inspired low-fat dessert.

Shawrbat adas majroosha, a silky pureed lentil soup spiced with cumin, coriander, and saffron. A traditional Middle Eastern recipe finished with fresh lemon juice.

Authentic Middle Eastern falafel made from dried chickpeas soaked overnight and deep-fried golden. Crispy exterior with fluffy interior, perfect in pita with tahini sauce.

Falafel in pita pockets: cumin and coriander-spiced chickpea patties stuffed into warm pita bread. A Middle Eastern street food staple made quickly at home.

Broccoli with spicy chickpea sauce, steamed broccoli florets cloaked in a creamy hummus-style sauce of chickpeas, yogurt, blanched garlic, cumin, and cayenne. Vegetable side that doubles as a Middle Eastern main.

Tahini dressing for falafel with sesame paste, fresh lemon juice, garlic, and water. Four ingredients, creamy and nutty, ready in 5 minutes. The classic Middle Eastern drizzle sauce.

Smoky roasted eggplant spread with cumin, coriander, and fresh herbs. This low-fat appetizer dip is baked until silky smooth and packed with warm Middle Eastern spices.

Salata tahina, a creamy Middle Eastern tahini sauce with crushed garlic, lemon juice, cumin, and parsley. Serve as a mazza dip, salad dressing, or drizzle for grilled meats.