Dive into the vibrant world of Middle Eastern cuisine with our latest blog post! Discover the secrets behind the tantalizing flavors of this region, from aromatic spices to savory herbs, and learn how to incorporate them into your own culinary creations. Join us on a journey through the bustling markets and bustling kitchens of the Middle East as we uncover the essence of this diverse and delicious cuisine. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a culinary novice, this blog post promises to inspire and delight your taste buds with every bite.
Exploring Middle Eastern Spices
Delve into the world of Middle Eastern spices and discover the key ingredients that give this cuisine its distinctive flavor profile. From sumac to za’atar, learn about the origins, uses, and health benefits of these aromatic spices that form the backbone of Middle Eastern cooking.
Cooking Techniques in Middle Eastern Cuisine
Take a closer look at the traditional cooking techniques that define Middle Eastern cuisine. From the clay ovens of India to the ceramic tagines of North Africa, explore the methods used to create tender meats, fluffy breads, and fragrant stews that are the hallmark of Middle Eastern cooking.
Decadent Desserts from the Middle East
Indulge your sweet tooth with a journey through the delectable world of Middle Eastern desserts. From syrup-soaked baklava to creamy kunafa, discover the rich array of sweets that grace the tables of Middle Eastern households during festive occasions and celebrations.
The Art of Middle Eastern Appetizers
Indulge in the irresistible world of Middle Eastern mezze, a colorful array of small dishes designed to tantalize the palate. From creamy hummus to smoky baba ganoush, learn how to create a mezze platter that will impress guests and transport them to the streets of Beirut or Istanbul.
Zaatar Manakeesh
Zaatar Manakeesh is a savory Middle Eastern flatbread topped with a flavorful blend of zaatar and olive oil. The dough is made with simple ingredients like yeast, water, flour, and olive oil, then rolled out and spread with the zaatar mixture before baking until golden and fragrant. Enjoy this delicious treat as a snack, appetizer, or light meal!
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Rolling Pin
- Oven
Ingredients
For the dough
- 1 tbsp Instant yeast
- 1 cup Warm water
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Granulated sugar
- 3 cups All-purpose flour plus more for shaping
- 2 tbsp Olive oil plus more for coating bowl
For the Zaatar Spread
- 1/3 cup Zaatar
- 1/4 cup Olive oil
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, dissolve the instant yeast and sugar in warm water. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until it becomes frothy.
- Add salt, olive oil, and flour to the yeast mixture. Stir until a dough starts to form.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 5-7 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. If the dough is too sticky, you can add a bit more flour as needed.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover it with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap. Let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.
- While the dough is rising, prepare the zaatar spread by mixing the zaatar and olive oil together in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into smaller portions, depending on how many manakeesh you want to make.
- Roll out each portion of dough into a thin circle or oval shape, about 1/4 inch thick. Place the dough circles onto the prepared baking sheet.
- Spread a generous amount of the zaatar mixture evenly over each dough circle, leaving a small border around the edges.
- Bake the manakeesh in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the zaatar topping is fragrant.
- Remove from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before serving.
- Serve the Zaatar Manakeesh warm or at room temperature. Enjoy as a delicious snack, appetizer, or light meal!
Notes
- Yeast Activation: Ensure the yeast is activated properly by dissolving it in warm water with sugar. The mixture should become frothy within 5 minutes, indicating that the yeast is active.
- Dough Consistency: When kneading the dough, aim for a smooth and elastic texture. Adjust the amount of flour as needed to achieve the right consistency. The dough should be soft but not overly sticky.
- Rising Time: Let the dough rise in a warm place until it doubles in size. This may take around 1 hour depending on the temperature of your kitchen.
- Zaatar Spread: Customize the flavor of the zaatar spread to your liking by adjusting the ratio of zaatar to olive oil. You can also add a pinch of salt or other spices for extra flavor.
- Baking: Bake the manakeesh in a preheated oven until the edges are golden brown and the zaatar topping is fragrant. Keep an eye on them towards the end of the baking time to prevent burning.
- Serving: Serve the Zaatar Manakeesh warm or at room temperature for the best flavor and texture. They can be enjoyed on their own or paired with dips like hummus or labneh.
Nutrition
Calories: 353kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 389mg | Potassium: 73mg | Fiber: 1g | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 3mg
Crispy Cheese Rolls
Crispy Cheese Rolls are delectable appetizers made with a flavorful blend of akawi and mozzarella cheese, accented with parsley and black pepper, all wrapped in crunchy spring roll pastry. Perfectly crispy and gooey on the inside, they make for an irresistible snack or party treat.
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl
- baking sheet
- Parchment paper or oil for greasing
- Small bowl for flour paste
- Brush for oil or butter
- Oven
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups Shredded akawi cheese
- 1 1/2 cups Shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup Chopped parsley
- 1/2 tsp Black pepper
- 1 cup Warm water
- 1 tbsp All-purpose flour
- 20 Spring roll pastry wrappers, 8-inch square
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with oil.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the shredded akawi cheese, shredded mozzarella cheese, chopped parsley, and black pepper. Mix well until the ingredients are evenly distributed.
- In a small bowl, mix the warm water and all-purpose flour until the flour is completely dissolved to create a paste. This will be used to seal the spring roll wrappers.
- Take one spring roll pastry wrapper and lay it flat on a clean surface with one corner facing you (forming a diamond shape).
- Place about 2 tablespoons of the cheese mixture in the center of the wrapper, forming a log shape.
- Fold the bottom corner of the wrapper over the filling, then fold in the sides, and roll tightly towards the opposite corner, sealing the edges with the flour paste.
- Repeat the process with the remaining wrappers and cheese mixture.
- Place the rolled cheese sticks on the prepared baking sheet, seam side down, leaving a little space between each roll.
- Lightly brush the tops of the rolls with oil or melted butter for extra crispiness.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until the rolls are golden brown and crispy.
- Once baked, remove from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving.
- Enjoy your crispy cheese rolls as a delicious appetizer or snack! Optionally, serve with marinara sauce or your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
- Ensure the cheese mixture is well-combined for even distribution of flavors.
- Seal the spring roll wrappers tightly to prevent the cheese from leaking during baking.
- Adjust the baking time as needed to achieve the desired level of crispiness.
- Feel free to experiment with different herbs and spices to customize the flavor of the cheese rolls.
- Serve the crispy cheese rolls hot for the best taste and texture.
- These rolls can be made ahead of time and reheated in the oven for a few minutes before serving.
- Seal the spring roll wrappers tightly to prevent the cheese from leaking during baking.
- Adjust the baking time as needed to achieve the desired level of crispiness.
- Feel free to experiment with different herbs and spices to customize the flavor of the cheese rolls.
- Serve the crispy cheese rolls hot for the best taste and texture.
- These rolls can be made ahead of time and reheated in the oven for a few minutes before serving.
Nutrition
Calories: 234kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 13mg | Sodium: 682mg | Potassium: 46mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 212IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 503mg | Iron: 1mg
Lebanese Baklava Recipe
Lebanese Baklava is a delightful Middle Eastern dessert featuring layers of flaky phyllo dough filled with sweetened walnuts and drenched in a fragrant orange blossom-infused syrup. This recipe combines the crispiness of phyllo pastry with the richness of clarified butter and the crunchiness of sugared nuts, resulting in a delectable treat that's perfect for any occasion.
Equipment
- Baking dish (9"x13")
- Saucepan
- Pastry brush
- Food Processor
- Sharp knife
Ingredients
- 1 pound Box of phyllo (9″x14″ sheets) room temperature
- 3/4 cup Clarified butter or ghee
For the Simple Syrup
- 1 cup Granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup Water
- 1 tbsp Lemon juice
- 1 tbsp Orange blossom water
For the Sugared Nuts
- 3 cups Raw or roasted walnuts, coarsely chopped in a food processor
- 1/2 cup Granulated sugar
Instructions
Prepare the Simple Syrup
- In a saucepan, combine sugar and water over medium heat.
- Stir until the sugar dissolves completely.
- Add lemon juice and orange blossom water, stirring well.
- Simmer for about 5 minutes until the syrup slightly thickens.
- Remove from heat and let it cool. Set aside.
Prepare the Sugared Nuts
- In a food processor, coarsely chop the walnuts.
- Transfer the chopped walnuts to a bowl and mix in the granulated sugar until evenly coated. Set aside.
Assembly:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Brush a 9"x13" baking dish with clarified butter or ghee.
- Place one sheet of phyllo dough in the bottom of the dish, letting it hang over the sides. Brush it generously with butter.
- Repeat this process, layering sheets of phyllo and buttering each sheet until you have used about half of the phyllo sheets.
Add the Nut Mixture:
- Sprinkle half of the sugared nut mixture evenly over the layered phyllo sheets.
Continue Layering
- Layer the remaining phyllo sheets on top of the nut mixture, brushing each sheet with butter as before.
Finish with Nuts
- Sprinkle the remaining sugared nut mixture evenly over the top layer of phyllo.
Cutting:
- Using a sharp knife, carefully cut the baklava into desired shapes (squares or diamonds).
Bake
- Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the baklava is golden brown and crisp.
Syrup Soak
- Once the baklava is done baking, remove it from the oven and immediately pour the cooled syrup evenly over the hot baklava.
Cooling
- Allow the baklava to cool completely in the dish, allowing the syrup to soak in and the pastry to set.
Serve:
- Once cooled, carefully remove the baklava pieces from the dish and serve. Enjoy your delicious Lebanese Baklava!
Notes
1. Ensure that the phyllo dough is thawed completely and brought to room temperature before using it to prevent it from tearing or becoming too brittle.
2. Be generous with the clarified butter or ghee when brushing the phyllo layers to achieve a crispy and golden baklava.
3. Adjust the amount of sugar in the syrup according to your preference for sweetness.
4. Allow the baklava to cool completely in the dish before cutting and serving to allow the syrup to soak in properly and the pastry to set.
5. Store any leftover baklava in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or freeze for longer storage.
2. Be generous with the clarified butter or ghee when brushing the phyllo layers to achieve a crispy and golden baklava.
3. Adjust the amount of sugar in the syrup according to your preference for sweetness.
4. Allow the baklava to cool completely in the dish before cutting and serving to allow the syrup to soak in properly and the pastry to set.
5. Store any leftover baklava in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week, or freeze for longer storage.
Nutrition
Calories: 500kcal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 33g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 29mg | Sodium: 184mg | Potassium: 157mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 26g | Vitamin A: 6IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 1mg
Grilled Chicken Tikka Skewers
This easy-to-follow recipe guides you through making tender and flavorful grilled chicken tikka skewers, perfect for a delicious and satisfying meal.
Equipment
- Grill or oven
- Skewers (metal or bamboo)
- Blender or Mortar and Pestle
- Mixing Bowl
- basting brush Optional
- Plastic Wrap or Lid for Marinating
Ingredients
For the Chicken Tikka
- 4 Chicken Thighs cut into at least 32 cubes or more
- 2 Red onions large cubes
- 4 Tomatoes large cubes
- 2 Green bell peppers or Capsicum cut into large cubes
- 4 tbsp Oil for basting/brushing optional
For the Marinade
- 1/4 cup Water add more if needed
- 2 tbsp Coriander seeds
- 1 tsp Cumin seeds
- 8 Garlic cloves
- 1 inch Ginger
- 2 to 4 Green chilies small (adjust according to spice preference)
- 2 to 4 tbsp Sour cream or Yogurt
- 1 tbsp Kashmiri red chili powder
- 1/2 tsp Turmeric powder
- 1 tbsp Lemon juice optional
- 1 tsp Salt
Instructions
Prepare the Marinade
- In a blender or mortar and pestle, grind together coriander seeds, cumin seeds, garlic cloves, ginger, green chilies, Kashmiri red chili powder, turmeric powder, lemon juice (if using), and salt to form a smooth paste.
- Transfer the paste to a mixing bowl and add sour cream or yogurt. Mix well to combine.
Marinate the Chicken
- Place the chicken thigh cubes in a large bowl.
- Pour the prepared marinade over the chicken and mix until all the chicken pieces are well coated.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to penetrate the chicken.
Assemble the Skewers
- Preheat the grill or oven to medium-high heat.
- Thread the marinated chicken pieces onto skewers alternately with cubes of red onion, tomato, and green bell pepper.
Grill or Bake the Chicken Tikka
- Brush the grill grates or baking tray with oil to prevent sticking.
- Place the skewers on the grill or baking tray and cook for about 15-20 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and slightly charred on the edges.
- Optionally, brush the chicken tikka with oil while cooking to keep it moist.
Serve Hot
- Once the chicken tikka is cooked, remove it from the grill or oven and let it rest for a few minutes.
- Serve hot with your favorite accompaniments such as naan bread, rice, or salad.
Notes
- Adjust the quantity of green chilies according to your spice preference.
- For a creamier marinade, use sour cream instead of yogurt.
- Kashmiri red chili powder gives a vibrant color without too much heat, but you can use regular chili powder if unavailable.
- Marinating the chicken for a longer time enhances the flavor, but if you're short on time, marinate for at least 2 hours.
- Soak bamboo skewers in water for at least 30 minutes before threading to prevent burning.
- If using a grill, preheat it to medium-high heat for best results.
- Keep an eye on the chicken tikka while grilling or baking to prevent overcooking and drying out.
- Serve the chicken tikka hot with fresh lemon wedges and mint yogurt sauce for a delightful meal experience.
- For a creamier marinade, use sour cream instead of yogurt.
- Kashmiri red chili powder gives a vibrant color without too much heat, but you can use regular chili powder if unavailable.
- Marinating the chicken for a longer time enhances the flavor, but if you're short on time, marinate for at least 2 hours.
- Soak bamboo skewers in water for at least 30 minutes before threading to prevent burning.
- If using a grill, preheat it to medium-high heat for best results.
- Keep an eye on the chicken tikka while grilling or baking to prevent overcooking and drying out.
- Serve the chicken tikka hot with fresh lemon wedges and mint yogurt sauce for a delightful meal experience.
Nutrition
Calories: 157kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 37mg | Sodium: 371mg | Potassium: 395mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1085IU | Vitamin C: 38mg | Calcium: 42mg | Iron: 1mg
