Food
February 3, 2022
16 Of Our Favorite Middle Eastern Dishes
There’s a lot to love about Middle Eastern cuisine. From spiced and slow-roasted chicken to decadent stews, there’s a lot more to this culinary region than falafel and hummus (though, we love that too). Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or new to these dishes, we’ve rounded up 16 delicious Middle Eastern recipes you’ll be happy you tried.
Scroll down and get inspired to test out some of our favorites!
Lebanese Flatbread
A manouche is a round flatbread, traditionally topped with Za’atar or white cheese. A colorful display for dinner parties, this recipe for manouche is loaded with flavor. Pro tip: roll the dough a bit thinner for a crispy version.
Get the recipe here.
Hummus With Soujok-Spiced Beef
If you’re someone who adds hummus onto everything you eat, you’ll especially enjoy this extra-savory version with Armenian spicy ground beef.
Get the recipe here.
Semolina & Coconut Cake
This extra-moist, almost fudge-like cake uses yogurt as its base. Traditionally called nammoura, it’s a sweet dessert with a long history — widely enjoyed since the days of Ancient Egypt.
Get the recipe here.
Tahini Caesar Salad
Not quite what you’d call a ‘classic’ Middle Eastern dish, this take on the Italian staple uses tahini paste for its rich and nutty dressing. Some radish and the right amount of spice kick things up a notch for extra satisfaction.
Get the recipe here.
Cracked Freekeh With Pomegranate, Walnuts & Mint
This roasted wheat salad, similar to bulgar, is a super-healthy kick of fibre with the right amount of bite. The recipe uses ingredients easily available year-round and makes a great side to proteins like chicken or seafood.
Get the recipe here.
Baharat Whole-Roasted Chicken
Crusted in Baharat, a warm spice blend and staple of Middle Eastern cooking, this roasted chicken recipe is decadent and really shines when served with preserved lemon.
Get the recipe here.
Jerusalem Artichoke Soup
The sweet, nutty flavor of Jerusalem artichokes enhance the velvety texture of this winter favorite. Serve with truffle oil-drizzled toast for an extra umami kick.
Get the recipe here.
Sesame Challah Monkey Bread
This challah bread has a sweet, sesame glaze that will have you reaching for seconds and thirds. Pro tip: serve while still warm.
Get the recipe here.
Berry Platter With Labneh & Orange Oil
Labneh is an ultra-rich strained yogurt that makes the perfect pairing with sweet and tart berry combos. The recipe works with a variety of berries, so opt for whatever is fresh and locally available. Pro tip: use leftover orange oil to drizzle over salads or lightly cooked vegetables.
Get the recipe here.
Roasted & Pickled Celery Root
Commonly found in Egyptian and Lebanese feasts, celery root has a subtle sweetness that adds a unique flavor to soups and stews. In this recipe, pickled and slow-roasted celery root offer textural contrast and flavor complexity, making it a shining dish for any three-course-meal.
Get the recipe here.
Stuffed Eggplant
This recipe is hearty and comforting yet energizing and light. It pulls from flavor profiles commonly found on kitchen tables across North Africa and India.
Get the recipe here.
Crispy Grilled Lamb With Tart Fruit Relish
Paired with a parsley and mint-infused fruit relish, this crispy grilled lamb is certain to wow dinner guests after just one bite. The sweet and savory profile of the relish complements the grassy notes of the lamb.
Get the recipe here.
Harissa Baked Chicken
Imparting flavor and fire with a distinct aromatic depth, this Palestinian dish by Brooklyn-based chef Rawia Bishara is a spice-lover’s dream.
Get the recipe here.
Fatoush Salad
This sumac-sprinkled, pita chip–filled salad is quintessential to Middle Eastern cuisine, and makes a delicious alternative to boring lunchtime meals.
Get the recipe here.
Quinoa Tabouleh
Today, quinoa may very well be the Middle East’s most popular good-for-you grain, but it’s also packed with protein that make it a hearty addition to green salads. In this recipe, it’s a tender balance to the parsley-heavy Tabouleh.
Get the recipe here.
The Best Falafel
It wouldn’t be a Middle Eastern food round-up without a fabulous falafel recipe. Here, Dubai food celebrity and Palestinian cooking expert Dima Al Sharif shares her recipe for perfecting the fluffy favorite.
Get the recipe here.