13 delicious levantine recipes from around the world
Kobeiba, also known as Kibbeh in many Levantine regions, are delicious fried croquettes made from a flavorful mixture of fine bulgur wheat and ground meat, encasing a savory filling of spiced meat and toasted pine nuts. This Egyptian variation offers a delightful crunch on the outside and a tender, aromatic interior.
A comforting and flavorful Levantine dish featuring layers of toasted pita bread, chickpeas, a tangy labneh-yogurt sauce, and a sprinkle of toasted nuts and herbs. It's a popular breakfast or light meal option.
Shish Barak is a traditional Levantine dish featuring small dumplings filled with spiced meat, simmered in a tangy yogurt sauce, and often garnished with pine nuts and mint. It's a comforting and flavorful meal, especially popular during colder months.
Maftoul, often called Palestinian couscous, is a hearty and comforting dish featuring hand-rolled wheat pearls cooked in a flavorful chicken broth and served with a rich stew of chicken, chickpeas, and aromatic vegetables. It's a staple in Palestinian cuisine, especially during cooler months.
A beloved Levantine dish featuring small, savory dumplings filled with spiced minced meat, simmered in a tangy yogurt sauce. It's a celebratory and comforting meal.
Shish Barak is a beloved Levantine dish consisting of small, delicate dumplings filled with seasoned ground meat, simmered in a tangy, garlicky yogurt sauce. It's a comforting and flavorful meal, often considered a labor of love due to the intricate process of making the dumplings.
A comforting and hearty Levantine dish consisting of layers of toasted or fried pita bread, chickpeas, and a creamy tahini-yogurt sauce, often topped with a drizzle of olive oil and pine nuts.
A popular Levantine flatbread topped with a fragrant mixture of za'atar, olive oil, and sumac, often enjoyed for breakfast or as a snack.
A beloved Levantine dessert, Knafeh Nabulsieh features a base of fine semolina dough soaked in sweet sugar syrup, layered with akkawi cheese, and baked until golden brown and crispy. It's often garnished with pistachios.
A vibrant and refreshing Levantine salad made with a mix of fresh vegetables, herbs, and toasted or fried pieces of pita bread, all tossed in a tangy sumac dressing. It's a staple in Syrian cuisine, perfect as a side or light meal.
Sfiha are small, open-faced meat pies with a soft dough base, traditionally topped with a spiced mixture of ground lamb or beef, tomatoes, onions, and pomegranate molasses. They are a popular savory snack or appetizer across the Levant.
A beloved Levantine dessert, Knafeh Nabulsieh features a base of shredded phyllo dough or semolina dough, layered with a sweet, stretchy cheese, and soaked in a fragrant sugar syrup. This Syrian variation often incorporates rose water and orange blossom water for an aromatic touch.
Baby eggplants are blanched, salted, and then stuffed with a flavorful mixture of walnuts, garlic, and chili peppers. They are then preserved in olive oil, creating a tangy, savory delicacy that's a staple in Jordanian mezze.
