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    Cooking Gorgeous » MSN Posts

    15 Authentic Middle Eastern Recipes

    Published: Apr 20, 2024 by Ayla Clulee · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Check out my collection of 15 authentic and incredibly delicious Middle Eastern recipes, including baklava, falafel, shawarma, dolmas, and many more.

    These popular recipes, highlighting Middle Eastern staples such as olive oil, sumac, chickpeas, and rice, are a must-try this summer.

    Walnut Baklava from Scratch

    a picture showing the layers of a authentic Middle Eastern walnut baklawa dessert
    Ayla Clulee

    This Authentic Middle Eastern Walnut Baklawa is a scrumptious creation that beautifully combines layers of filo pastry with the richness of walnuts and a sweet simple syrup.

    But what truly makes this recipe special is the love and artisanship that goes into creating each delicate layer of hand-rolled phyllo sheets.

    To learn more: Authentic Middle Eastern Walnut Baklawa

    Lebanese Falafel

    pita bread stuffed with falafel, salad, and tahini dressing
    Ayla Clulee

    This Authentic Homemade Lebanese Falafel Recipe is perfect for you if you want to learn how to make perfectly crisp and extremely flavourful falafels. 

    This delicious Middle Eastern dish is very easy to make and is especially popular among vegetarians and vegans. 

    They are inexpensive, freezer-friendly, and perfect for meal planning. 

    To learn more: Authentic Homemade Lebanese Falafel Recipe

    Check out the healthier air fryer version: Air Fryer Falafel Recipe

    Vegetarian Stuffed Grape Leaves

    yaprak dolma (Stuffed Grape Leaves)
    Ayla Clulee

    Yaprak Sarma (or Yalanci Dolma) is an authentic Middle Eastern and Mediterranean dish made from grape leaves stuffed with aromatic rice, fresh Mediterranean herbs, and spices. 

    You can serve these delicious bite-sized appetizers as a part of a mezze platter or warm as a main meal. 

    To learn more: Yaprak Sarma - Stuffed Grape Leaves

    Turkish Chicken Shish Kebab

    4 pieces chicken shish kebabs
    Ayla Clulee

    Turkish Chicken Shish Kebab, also known as Tavuk Sis, is a popular Turkish dish made of chicken pieces marinated in olive oil, milk, tomato & pepper paste, and aromatic spices. 

    These tender and juicy kebabs are ready in just 25 minutes plus the marinating time.

    To learn more: Turkish Chicken Shish Kebab

    Fried Kibbeh - Icli Kofte

    kibbeh balls cut in half and served with salad
    Ayla Clulee

    Icli Köfte (a.k.a Kibbeh, Kibbi, or Kebbe) is a ball-shaped stuffed meatball made with bulgur, ground meat, walnuts, and spices.

    These savory treats are usually shaped like a football and can be fried, boiled, or baked.

    To learn more: Icli Kofte (Turkish Kibbeh)

    Hummus Dip

    Ayla Clulee

    Hummus Dip is a Mediterranean/ Middle Eastern spread made with chickpeas and tahini, then seasoned with lemon, garlic, and cumin. 

    This extremely creamy, smooth & fresh dip comes together in just 25 minutes!

    To learn more: Meditteranean Hummus Dip

    Lebanese Tabbouleh Salad

    Ayla Clulee

    This Taboule Recipe (Lebanese Tabouli Salad) is a refreshing and healthy Middle Eastern salad made with fresh parsley, tomatoes, and bulgur. 

    It is full of flavor, color, and nutrition and is extremely easy to make with just a handful of ingredients.

    To learn more: Taboule (Lebanese Tabouli Salad)

    Lebanese Chicken Shawarma

    shawarma wrap cut in 2
    Ayla Clulee

    This easy recipe for Homemade Lebanese Chicken Shawarma is perfect for you if you want to bring the authentic taste of this Middle Eastern street food to your home.

    It is packed with exotic flavors, extremely easy to make with a few simple ingredients, and ready in just 20 minutes!

    To learn more: Homemade Lebanese Chicken Shawarma

    Fatayer - Lebanese Pies

    12 pieces of fatayer
    Ayla Clulee

    Fatayer are bite-sized Lebanese mini Pies made with an easy homemade dough, stuffed with a savory filling consisting of either spinach, meat, or cheese.

    These crowd-pleaser pastries are incredibly easy to make with just a handful of simple pantry/fridge ingredients.

    To learn more: Fatayer - Lebanese Mini Pies

    Lahmacun

    lahmacun wrapped with parsley and tomatoes
    Ayla Clulee

    Homemade Turkish Lahmacun (or Lahmajun-Lahmajoun) is a super-thin crispy flatbread topped with minced beef or lamb mixed with vegetables, herbs, and spices.

    You can find this popular street / fast food everywhere in Turkey, in restaurants, cafes, and fast-food shops.

    To learn more: Turkish Lahmacun

    Zereshk Polo

    Ayla Clulee

    Zereshk Polo Morgh is a well-known traditional Persian dish consisting of barberry rice and succulent chicken.

    This delightful dish is a harmonious blend of colors, aromas, and textures, which beautifully represents the lively nature of Persian cuisine.

    To learn more: Zereshk Polo Morgh

    Middle Eastern Lavash Bread

    freshly made lavash bread are placed on a plate
    Ayla Clulee

    Lavash bread is a thin and soft Middle Eastern flatbread that has been a staple in many countries for centuries. 

    Traditionally cooked in a tandoor oven, this flatbread is particularly popular in Turkey, Iran, and Armenia, where it's enjoyed with a variety of dishes, such as kebabs, soups, and mezes.

    To learn more: Middle Eastern Lavash Bread

    Grilled Lamb Kofta

    Ayla Clulee

    Grilled Lamb Kofta (Izgara Kofte in Turkish) is one of the most popular street foods in Turkey made with minced lamb and aromatic spices such as coriander and paprika. 

    It is extremely easy to make at home with just a few simple ingredients and some basic cooking skills.

    To learn more: Turkish Grilled Lamb Kofta - Izgara Kofte

    Musakhan - Palestinian Sumac Chicken

    chicken and onions are baked until nicely browned
    Ayla Clulee

    Musakhan - Palestinian Sumac Chicken is a traditional Middle Eastern dish made with marinated chicken legs served over a flatbread with caramelized red onions, sumac, and pine nuts. 

    This chicken recipe is also extremely easy to make using everyday ingredients that you may already have in your fridge or pantry.

    To learn more: Musakhan - Palestinian Sumac Chicken

    Sekerpare - Turkish Semolina Cookies

    serving sekerpare dessert from a tray
    Ayla Clulee

    Sekerpare (Turkish Semolina Cookies) is a sweet, moist, and tender dessert that's traditionally served for religious celebrations, such as Seker Bayrami which marks the end of Ramadan. 

    It is a great alternative to Turkish Baklava, Tulumba - Turkish Fried Dough Dessert, or Baklava Cheesecake for your sweet cravings when you want something much simpler & quicker.

    To learn more: Sekerpare - Turkish Semolina Cookies

    « 15 Dinner Recipes in 30 Minutes or Less!
    The Ultimate Middle Eastern Meze Platter »

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    Welcome to Cooking Gorgeous, where delicious easy-to-follow recipes and culinary inspiration await you! My name is Ayla Clulee, a passionate and professional Cordon Bleu-trained chef, recipe developer, and food content creator with decades of experience. I am based in the UK, and I'm thrilled to have you here.

    The kitchen is my happy place and cooking is my therapy.

    More about me →

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