166 delicious middle eastern recipes from around the world
Malabi is a beloved Middle Eastern dessert, popular in Israel, featuring a silky, creamy milk pudding delicately flavored with rose water. It's traditionally topped with a vibrant red syrup (often pomegranate or raspberry) and a sprinkle of nuts or coconut. This dessert is a light and refreshing end to any meal.
Tender chicken pieces marinated in a zesty blend of spices and the unique tang of black lemon, grilled to perfection. This dish is a popular street food and appetizer in Bahrain, often served with flatbread and a spicy mint sauce.
A flavorful and aromatic chicken shawarma, marinated in a blend of Middle Eastern spices, served with garlic sauce, pickles, and pita bread. This is a popular street food and home-style meal in Syria.
Fasolia bi Zeit is a simple yet flavorful Middle Eastern dish of green beans stewed with tomatoes, onions, and garlic in olive oil. It's often served as a side dish or part of a mezze spread and is popular in Jordan, Palestine, and Syria.
A fragrant and flavorful one-pot dish featuring tender chicken, fluffy rice, and hearty chickpeas, seasoned with aromatic Middle Eastern spices.
Flavorful Lebanese spiced meat skewers made with ground lamb, fresh parsley, and onion, grilled to juicy perfection. Traditionally served in pita bread with fresh vegetables.
Tender lamb kofta, seasoned with aromatic spices and herbs, grilled to perfection and finished with a tangy pomegranate molasses glaze. This dish is a flavorful representation of Jordanian grilling traditions.
A classic Lebanese layered dish featuring crispy pita bread, tender chickpeas, and a creamy yogurt-tahini sauce, often enjoyed as a hearty breakfast or a light meal. The dish is finished with toasted pine nuts and a drizzle of spiced butter.
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.
Tender grape leaves are meticulously stuffed with a flavorful mixture of rice, ground meat, and aromatic spices, then slow-cooked to perfection. This dish is a labor of love, often prepared for special occasions and family gatherings, showcasing the rich culinary heritage of Palestine.
Kafta Meshwi is a quintessential Lebanese dish featuring seasoned ground meat molded onto flat skewers and grilled to perfection. It's a staple at any Middle Eastern barbecue, offering a flavorful and satisfying experience.
A comforting and flavorful dish featuring toasted pita bread, shredded chicken, a creamy yogurt sauce, and a sprinkle of toasted nuts and herbs. It's a popular appetizer or light meal in Kuwaiti cuisine.
Qatayef Asafiri are delicate, mini pancakes traditionally filled with a sweet, creamy 'ashta' (clotted cream or ricotta mixture) and often drizzled with syrup. Originating from the Levant, these 'little bird' qatayef are a popular sweet treat, especially during Ramadan, offering a light and delightful dessert experience.
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.
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.
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.
Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, these sweet potato and tahini fritters are a delightful vegetarian dish. They are seasoned with aromatic spices and served with a creamy tahini sauce, making them a perfect appetizer or light meal.
A hearty and aromatic stew featuring tender lamb and chickpeas simmered in a rich broth with a blend of traditional Bahraini spices. This comforting dish is perfect for a family meal and highlights the use of legumes and slow-cooked meats in the region.
A classic Lebanese comfort food, Kebbeh bil Sanieh features a flavorful mixture of bulgur wheat and ground lamb forming a savory crust, encasing a rich filling of spiced meat and toasted pine nuts. This baked dish is a traditional centerpiece for family gatherings, especially on Sundays.
Tender, marinated lamb cubes grilled to perfection on skewers, a quintessential Lebanese BBQ favorite.
These traditional Bahraini cookies, known as Kleicha, are a delightful blend of sweet dates and aromatic cardamom encased in a tender, slightly crisp dough. They are often prepared for special occasions and holidays, offering a comforting and fragrant taste of Bahraini hospitality.
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.
Tender zucchini hollowed out and stuffed with a savory mixture of rice and ground lamb, then simmered in a tangy and creamy yogurt sauce. A comforting and classic Syrian dish.
A comforting and flavorful dish of lentils and rice, slow-cooked to perfection and topped with deeply caramelized onions. This is a staple in Syrian cuisine, known for its simplicity and wholesome taste.
