5 Middle Eastern Recipes

5 Middle Eastern Recipes Big on FlavourAnd Easy to Make at Home

The Middle East is home to some of the most aromatic, delicious, and vibrant tastes that range from unique to flavour-packed dishes you can prepare for family or guests. Not only will the food be healthy and flavoursome but, it will also be one of those meals that you and your family will keep craving for more.

If you have the time and the right ingredients, Middle Eastern food is not too difficult to prepare. There are loads of options to choose from, but we have listed below five recipes that will help you create a unique blend of tastes and will win the hearts of your loved ones.

1) Batata Harra
Batata Harra

A fairly popular dish in the Middle East, Batata Harra translates to spicy potatoes in Arabic. This flavorsome dish can disappear quickly once placed on the table and makes for an ideal accompaniment for almost any dish. It can be thought of as a side or a yummy potato salad, making it a versatile dish.

Packed with flavour, this dish consists of potatoes, garlic, paprika, chilly flakes, parsley topped with fresh herbs and spices. Cut the potatoes into cubes and roast or fry them until they are crispy. You can then toss them in a flavourful spice made of cilantro, paprika, garlic, and crushed red pepper. You can finish the dish off with a fresh squeeze of lemon juice.

  • 6 medium-sized gold potatoes, peeled
  • 3 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 teaspoon coriander seeds
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 2 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • ½ lemon juice
  • 1 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
  • A handful of chopped flat-leaf parsley
    • 2) Ful Medames
    Ful Medames

    Ful Medames is comfort food that is a staple across the Middle Eastern regions, especially in Egypt. It is often eaten during breakfast and is prepared with fava beans along with garlic, onions, olive oil, and cumin. The fava beans need to be first soaked, boiled, and then slowly simmered. The stew is then seasoned with lemon juice, fresh mint, and spices. The dish is extremely rich in protein and fiber, making it good for your heart health.

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ⅓teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Fava beans drained and rinsed
  • 1 ½cups water
  • Optional - cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumbers, pita bread
    • 3) Lentil Soup
    Lentil Soup

    Lentil soup, or more commonly known as Shorbat Adas in the Middle East, is a delicious soup made of lentils and veggies like coriander leaves, spinach, tomatoes, and carrots. This nutritious soup is loaded with vital nutrients and proteins, making it perfect for anyone planning to lose some weight. It is best relished with pita crisps and can be consumed at any season of the year. However, the best time to consume it would be during the winter and rainy seasons.

  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
  • 1 ½ cups of red/yellow lentils
  • 8 cups of chicken/vegetable stock
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric
  • 1 ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • A handful of chopped flat-leaf parsley
  • ½ lemon juice
    • 4) Tabbouleh
    Tabbouleh

    Tabbouleh (also spelled tabouli) is a super fresh Middle Eastern salad that is packed with healthy ingredients and has fewer calories. You will often find it on the menu of the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern restaurants. The dish is prepared using bulgar and diced veggies such as onion, tomatoes, and parsley. Add a generous dressing of olive oil and a squeeze of lemon juice and you have yourself a refreshing and light salad ready in under 15-20 minutes. You can enjoy this salad as a whole meal or a side dish.

  • ½ cup bulgur
  • ⅓ cup thinly sliced green onion
  • 1 cup diced cucumber
  • 1 cup diced tomato
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1 medium clove garlic, minced or pressed
  • 3 medium bunches of parsley
  • ⅓ cup chopped fresh mint (you can chop it in the food processor with the parsley)
  • ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 3 to 4 tablespoons lemon juice
    • 5) Shakshuka
    Shakshuka

    Shakshuka is an appetizing recipe that is commonly prepared in Egypt, Israel, and other Middle Eastern countries. The recipe is a combination of creamy scrambled eggs cooked with pepper, onions, tomatoes, and an in-house spice blend. The dish can be prepared within 30 minutes and is filling. It is one recipe that we guarantee you will enjoy eating time and again.

  • 6 whole peeled tomatoes
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 6 large eggs
  • 1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 small bunch of fresh cilantro, chopped
  • ¼ teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 small bunch of fresh parsley, chopped
  • Add salt and pepper based on taste

    • We hope you have gained some valuable insights from this blog. As delicious as these dishes are, cooking and arranging them can take up some time. Also, preparing them might not be feasible if you are having a busy day and are looking forward to relaxing and having a nice meal with your family.

    If you are in the mood to just lay back and enjoy the authentic Middle Eastern dishes mentioned above, then look no further. Order from Toum today. You can order from Zomato, Swiggy, and PetPooja. Housing some of the most authentic delicacies, at Toum, you will experience a unique burst of flavours that you will surely fall in love with!