Recipes from the Middle East

Made with India tea leaves, cinnamon stick, sugar cubes, water


Time:   under 30 minutes

A Mediterranean alternative to beef stuffed cabbage rolls. Simmer the vegetarian stuffed leaves in tomato sauce with basil and cinnamon and you're ready to...

Method:   stovetop, oven
Time:   1-2 hours

The trick to a good cup of Arabic coffee is half ingredients and half technique. Fresh coffee strained and poured onto fresh ground cardamom makes a fragrant cup of Joe.

Method:   stovetop
Time:   under 30 minutes

Made with pumpkin or squash, corn oil, garlic, water, salt, sugar, tomato sauce, ginger root, ground coriander seeds, black pepper

Method:   stovetop
Time:   30-60 minutes

Baharat is a traditional blend of spices used in Saudi Arabian cuisine. Baharat can be used to flavor both savory and sweet dishes.


Time:   under 30 minutes

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These Middle Eastern dessert figs are absolutely delightful. Stuffed with walnuts and topped with a sweet blend of vanilla, yogurt, and lemon syrup.

Method:   stovetop
Time:   1-2 hours

Made with tomatoes, dried oregano, eggplants, olive oil, leg of lamb, onion, garlic, parsley, bay leaf, salt and pepper

Method:   oven, stovetop
Time:   2-5 hours

Made with water, tomato sauce, eggplant, olive oil, onion, ground lean beef or lamb, pignoli nuts, cinnamon, garlic, salt and pepper

Method:   stovetop, oven
Time:   30-60 minutes

Made with dried spearmint, potatoes, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt

Method:   stovetop
Time:   under 30 minutes

Made with almonds or hazelnuts, pearl barley, sugar, raisins, water, ground cinnamon

Method:   stovetop
Time:   2-5 hours

Made with cinnamon, orange blossom flavoring, short grain white rice, sugar, egg yolk, cornstarch, milk

Method:   stovetop
Time:   1-2 hours

Made with roasted chickpeas, raw almonds, pistachio nuts, hazelnuts, walnuts, raisins, dried apricots, dried peaches


Time:   under 30 minutes

Easy to make, this potato salad uses boiled potatoes, herbs, and a tangy lemon dressing for a flavor that's uniquely Middle Eastern.


Time:   1-2 hours

Made with water, salt, ground lamb, allspice, zucchini, rice, tomato sauce, tomatoes, cinnamon, pepper

Method:   stovetop
Time:   30-60 minutes

Made with black pepper, ground beef or lamb, bulgar, pine nuts or walnuts, onion, dried parsley, water, peanut oil, dried mint, ground allspice

Method:   oven
Time:   30-60 minutes

Made with yeast, salt, water, plain whole-milk yogurt, whole wheat flour, safflower or corn oil, sesame seeds

Method:   oven
Time:   2-5 hours

Made with water, ground dried mint, ground cinnamon, lean meat, onion, onions, shortening or butter, salt, ground allspice, pomegranate thickened juice

Method:   stovetop
Time:   30-60 minutes