166 delicious middle eastern recipes from around the world
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.
A rich and savory layered dish featuring tender lamb, fried eggplant, and a tomato-based sauce, often topped with a creamy béchamel or yogurt sauce. This Syrian variation offers a unique blend of spices and textures.
Traditional Lebanese filled semolina cookies, often made for Easter and Eid celebrations. These delightful cookies feature a crumbly semolina dough encasing a sweet date or spiced nut filling, finished with a dusting of powdered sugar.
Tender and flavorful lamb kofta, seasoned with a blend of aromatic Yemeni spices and herbs, grilled to perfection. These kofta are a staple in Yemeni cuisine, often served with flatbreads and a variety of dips or sauces.
A comforting and flavorful Syrian rice pilaf cooked with tender chicken pieces and toasted vermicelli, often garnished with nuts and herbs.
A vibrant and refreshing Middle Eastern salad, Fattoush is a delightful mix of fresh vegetables, herbs, and crispy toasted pita bread, all tossed in a tangy sumac-lemon dressing. It's a classic mezze dish perfect as a side or a light meal.
Tender chicken marinated in sumac and spices, rolled in taboon bread (or lavash/tortillas), and baked until golden. A popular appetizer or light meal, often served with a side of yogurt.
A hearty and flavorful stew made with tender lamb, okra, and a rich tomato-based sauce, often served with rice.
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).
Tender grape leaves filled with a flavorful mixture of rice, herbs, and sometimes minced meat, then slow-cooked in a tangy lemon and olive oil broth.
A classic Lebanese layered dish featuring crispy toasted pita bread, warm chickpeas, a creamy tahini-yogurt sauce, and a garnish of pine nuts fried in butter. Traditionally enjoyed as a celebratory breakfast, especially during Eid.
Knafeh Nabulsieh is a legendary Middle Eastern dessert featuring shredded phyllo dough (kadaif) layered with stretchy, brined cheese and drenched in a sweet sugar syrup. This version is a classic Lebanese rendition.
A hearty and flavorful salad featuring nutty freekeh grains tossed with a colorful medley of roasted vegetables, fresh herbs, and a bright pomegranate molasses vinaigrette. This dish is a staple in modern Israeli cuisine, offering a delicious and nutritious way to enjoy seasonal produce.
Kofta bi Tahini is a classic Middle Eastern dish featuring spiced meatballs baked in a creamy, tangy tahini sauce. This comforting dish combines flavorful ground meat with a rich sauce made from tahini, lemon juice, and garlic, often served with fried potatoes.
A beloved Lebanese dessert featuring a golden, toasted semolina crust encasing a layer of warm, stretchy Akkawi cheese, all drenched in a sweet sugar syrup and garnished with crunchy pistachios. This dish is a delightful balance of textures and flavors, perfect for ending a meal.
Tender and flavorful lamb kofta, seasoned with a blend of aromatic Middle Eastern spices, grilled to perfection, and served with a creamy, tangy tahini-yogurt sauce. This dish is a staple in Emirati cuisine, often enjoyed during gatherings and celebrations.
A comforting and flavorful one-pot dish featuring tender chicken and aromatic rice, simmered in a spiced broth and served with a cooling, tangy yogurt sauce.
A classic Levantine dessert made with shredded phyllo dough or semolina, layered with soft cheese, and soaked in a sweet sugar syrup. Originating from Nablus, it's a beloved treat across Israel.
A fragrant and flavorful rice pilaf featuring tender chicken, sweet dried apricots, and crunchy almonds, often seasoned with warm spices. This dish is a celebration of Middle Eastern influences found in Israeli cuisine.
A delightful Middle Eastern sweet made from a soft, stretchy semolina and cheese dough, filled with clotted cream (Ishta) and drizzled with sweet syrup. It's a popular dessert known for its unique texture and delicate flavor.
A quintessential Middle Eastern appetizer, Mutabal features smoky, roasted eggplant blended with tahini, lemon juice, and garlic, creating a creamy and flavorful dip.
Mfarakeh Dajaj is a comforting and flavorful one-pan dish originating from Syria, featuring tender chicken and potatoes cooked with aromatic spices and topped with soft scrambled eggs. The name 'Mfarakeh' comes from the Arabic word for 'to crumble' or 'separate,' referring to the way the eggs are stirred into the pan. This dish is a popular breakfast or brunch item, known for its hearty texture and satisfying taste.
Sfeeha are delightful open-faced meat pies, a popular Syrian street food and appetizer. A flavorful mixture of spiced ground meat, onions, and tomatoes is spread generously over a soft, pliable dough and baked until golden. They are often enjoyed dipped in yogurt.
A visually stunning and flavorful Syrian dish where rice, lamb, and fried vegetables are cooked together and then inverted onto a platter, creating a beautiful 'upside-down' presentation. It's a celebratory dish often served on special occasions.
