middle eastern Recipes
43 delicious middle eastern recipes from around the world
Manakish bi Zaatar (Lebanese Zaatar Flatbread)
A beloved Lebanese breakfast staple, Manakish bi Zaatar are soft, pillowy flatbreads generously topped with a fragrant mixture of zaatar spice blend and olive oil. They are perfect served warm, either folded like a taco or enjoyed flat, often accompanied by a cup of tea or laban (yogurt drink).
Mandi (Yemeni Smoked Rice)
A traditional Yemeni dish featuring tender, slow-cooked meat (typically lamb or chicken) infused with aromatic spices and a distinctive smoky flavor, served over fluffy basmati rice. Traditionally cooked in an underground oven (tandoor), this recipe provides methods for achieving a similar smoky essence at home. It's a celebratory dish perfect for gatherings.
Mansaf
Jordan's national dish, a rich and flavorful celebration of lamb cooked in a tangy fermented dried yogurt sauce (jameed), served traditionally over layers of rice and crisp shrak bread, and garnished with toasted nuts.
Maqluba (Upside-Down Rice)
A dramatic and flavorful Lebanese upside-down rice dish, featuring layers of spiced meat, tender fried vegetables, and aromatic rice, all flipped onto a platter for a stunning presentation. The name 'Maqluba' literally means 'upside-down' in Arabic.
Musakhan
Palestinian national dish - tender roasted chicken layered with deeply caramelized onions, fragrant sumac, and spices, served atop warm taboon bread. A truly iconic and flavorful experience.
Namoura (Lebanese Semolina Cake)
A delightful Lebanese tea-time treat: a moist, syrup-soaked semolina cake topped with tahini and a single almond on each piece. This recipe offers a detailed guide to achieving a perfectly golden and fragrant Namoura.
Riz a Dajaj (Lebanese Chicken and Rice)
A fragrant and celebratory Lebanese dish featuring tender, spiced chicken layered over aromatic rice, enriched with toasted nuts and a hint of cinnamon. This dish is a centerpiece for special occasions.
Riz a Djaj (Lebanese Chicken and Rice)
A fragrant and flavorful Lebanese rice dish featuring tender shredded chicken, spiced rice, and a generous topping of toasted nuts. Traditionally served as a centerpiece for celebrations and feasts.
Samkeh Harra (Lebanese Spicy Baked Fish)
Samkeh Harra, a specialty from Tripoli, is a flavorful and aromatic baked fish dish featuring a spicy tahini sauce, fresh cilantro, and a delightful crunch from toasted pine nuts and walnuts. The 'harra' in the name signifies its characteristic spiciness.
Sfiha Baalbek
Sfiha Baalbek are traditional open-face meat pies, a specialty of the city of Baalbek, known for their savory lamb topping studded with pine nuts. These are best enjoyed fresh and hot from the oven.
Shakshuka
A vibrant and flavorful Middle Eastern dish featuring eggs gently poached in a rich, spiced tomato and pepper sauce. Perfect for a hearty breakfast, brunch, or even a light dinner, this one-pan wonder is both simple to make and incredibly satisfying.
Shish Taouk (Lebanese Grilled Chicken Skewers)
Tender, yogurt-marinated chicken cubes grilled to perfection with a slight char. A ubiquitous and beloved Lebanese favorite, traditionally served with a potent garlic sauce (Toum).
Silky Smooth Hummus
A classic Levantine dip, this hummus is incredibly smooth and creamy, achieved through careful cooking of the chickpeas and a precise blending technique. Perfect as a starter or a healthy snack.
Urfa Kebap
Urfa Kebab is a mild, yet flavorful lamb kebab originating from the southeastern region of Turkey, characterized by the smoky and slightly sweet notes of Urfa pepper. Unlike its spicier counterpart, Adana Kebab, Urfa Kebab offers a gentler heat profile, making it a popular choice for a wider audience.
Warak Enab (Stuffed Grape Leaves)
Tender grape leaves stuffed with a savory mixture of spiced rice and ground lamb, then gently braised until meltingly soft. A beloved classic of Levantine cuisine.
Egyptian Fatteh with Chicken
A classic Egyptian layered dish featuring tender chicken, fluffy rice, crispy fried bread, and a tangy garlic-yogurt sauce, finished with toasted pine nuts. A comforting and flavorful meal.
Falafel
Crispy fried balls of spiced chickpeas and fresh herbs, the quintessential Middle Eastern street food. Traditionally served warm in pita bread with a drizzle of tahini sauce.
Kofta Mashweya (Egyptian Grilled Meat Kebabs)
Authentic Egyptian Kofta Mashweya, featuring spiced ground meat molded onto flat skewers and grilled to perfection. A quintessential dish for any barbecue or gathering, offering a smoky, savory flavor that is deeply satisfying.
Qatayef (Egyptian Ramadan Pancakes)
Qatayef are small, folded pancakes traditionally enjoyed during Ramadan in Egypt. The batter is cooked on one side only, then filled with a sweet cream (ashta) or chopped nuts, folded in half, and typically deep-fried until golden and crispy, then soaked in a fragrant sugar syrup. They are a beloved sweet treat and a staple of the iftar (breaking the fast) meal.