Middle Eastern cooking is simple but sophisticated at the same time.
Persian dishes have a history spanning thousands of years. The use of numerous spices and aromatic herbs create subtle dishes that consist of fresh and clean flavors.
Zucchini (courgettes), spinach, chickpeas, eggplants, tomatoes, sweet bell peppers and tahini (sesame paste) are popular ingredients in Middle Eastern cooking. Bulgur (cracked wheat) is used in the well known tabbouleh salad.
Perhaps once of the most recognized dish from the Middle East is hummus, a popular appetizing dip world-wide.
Middle Eastern pita sandwich stuffed with hummus, tabouli, crumbled feta, olives, and crisp romaine. A fast vegetarian lunch with Mediterranean flavors and a lemon-dill drizzle.
A quick, easy yet tasty carrot salad goes well with roast, casserole or any main course.
Middle Eastern lentil stew with potatoes, zucchini, and cumin - 189 calories per serving, 14 grams of fiber, less than 1 gram of fat. Hearty, filling, and budget-friendly.
Crisp Middle Eastern salad with chopped cucumber, tomatoes, green pepper, and scallions tossed in a creamy dill yogurt dressing. A refreshing, no-cook side dish ready in 10 minutes.
Easy garlicky tabouli with bulgur wheat, fresh parsley, garlic, and lemon juice. The vegan Middle Eastern grain salad in its simplest form, made even better by an overnight rest.
Spiced baba ghanoush with broiled eggplant, lemon, olive oil, and a warming hit of allspice and cinnamon. A Middle Eastern dip with unexpected spice depth, served with pita and fresh herbs.
Quick baba ghanoush with steamed eggplant, tahini, lemon, garlic, and a hint of cumin. The 13-minute version that skips the smoky char in favor of pure, clean eggplant flavor.
Authentic Lebanese tabouli with bulgur, mountains of fresh parsley and mint, tomato, scallions, lemon, and olive oil. A bright, parsley-forward Middle Eastern salad.
Lebanese tabbouleh herb salad heavy on fresh parsley and mint, fine bulgur, lemon and olive oil. Served on romaine leaves, the proper Middle Eastern way.
Smoky baba ghanoush gets its deep, fire-kissed flavor from whole eggplants charred over medium-hot coals. Blended with tahini, garlic, lemon, and a touch of sugar for balance. A creamy Middle Eastern dip that puts hummus on notice.
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.
Prepare your recipe for kefta meatballs. Let them simmer for at least an hour in this spicy tomato-based sauce.
Lamb kebabs marinated in olive oil, lemon, garlic, and ground coriander, then broiled on bamboo skewers until charred at the edges and pink in the middle. A Middle Eastern grill night classic.
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.
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.
Baba ghanoush blends roasted eggplant with garlic, cumin, and lime juice into a smoky Middle Eastern dip. Vegan, five-ingredient, and ready in 30 minutes. No tahini in this lighter version.
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