RECIPE WORLD MASTER

Middle Eastern cuisine is known for its bold flavors, exotic spices, and unique ingredients. With a little bit of know-how and the right tools, anyone can cook up delicious Middle Eastern dishes right in their own kitchen. In this post, we'll share some of our favorite Middle Eastern recipes that are easy to make and bursting with flavor.

Shakshuka

Shakshuka is a popular Middle Eastern dish made with poached eggs in a spicy tomato sauce. It's a great way to use up leftover veggies and is perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 1 can of diced tomatoes
• 1 tbsp paprika
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp salt
• 4-6 eggs
• Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Tools:

• Large skillet
• Wooden spoon
• Cutting board
• Sharp knife

How to make it:

1. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add the onion and garlic and saute until softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the bell pepper and continue to saute until the vegetables are tender, about 5 more minutes.
4. Add the diced tomatoes, paprika, cumin, and salt to the skillet. Stir well to combine.
5. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10-15 minutes until the sauce has thickened.
6. Using the back of a spoon, make 4-6 wells in the sauce and crack an egg into each well.
7. Cover the skillet and cook until the eggs are set to your liking, about 5-7 minutes for soft yolks.
8. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with crusty bread.

Tips:

• You can add any vegetables you like to the shakshuka, such as zucchini, carrots, or mushrooms.
• For a spicier version, add a chopped chili pepper or a pinch of cayenne to the sauce.

Pita Bread

Pita bread is a staple in Middle Eastern cuisine and is perfect for scooping up dips, stuffing with falafel or shawarma, or as a side to any meal. This recipe is quick and easy to make, and the bread comes out soft and fluffy every time.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp sugar
• 2 tsp instant yeast
• 1 cup warm water

Tools:

• Large mixing bowl
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Whisk
• Damp kitchen towel
• Baking sheets or pizza stones

How to make it:

1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, sugar, and yeast.
2. Add the warm water and stir until a shaggy dough forms.
3. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 5-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
4. Place the dough in a clean, oiled bowl and cover with a damp kitchen towel. Let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours, or until it has doubled in size.
5. Punch down the dough and divide it into 8 equal pieces.
6. Roll each piece into a ball and then flatten it into a disk. Let the disks rest for 15 minutes.
7. Preheat your oven to 450F/230C and place your baking sheets or pizza stones in the oven to heat up.
8. Once the disks have rested, place them on the hot baking sheets or pizza stones and bake for 5-7 minutes, until they puff up and become lightly golden.
9. Remove from the oven and let cool before serving.

Tips:

• For extra flavor, you can brush the pita bread with olive oil or sprinkle with za'atar or sesame seeds before baking.
• If you don't have a pizza stone, you can use an upside-down baking sheet instead.

Hummus

Hummus is a creamy dip made with chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, and olive oil. It's perfect for dipping veggies, pita bread, or using as a spread on sandwiches.

Ingredients:

• 1 can of chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 tbsp tahini
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Tools:

• Food processor or blender
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Garlic press

How to make it:

1. Add the chickpeas, garlic, tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper to a food processor or blender.
2. Pulse until everything is well combined and the hummus is smooth and creamy. If the mixture is too thick, add a tablespoon of water at a time until you reach your desired consistency.
3. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
4. Transfer the hummus to a serving bowl and drizzle with olive oil.

Tips:

• You can add different herbs or spices to the hummus for a unique flavor twist. Try adding cumin, smoked paprika, or chopped fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro.
• If you're short on time, you can use store-bought tahini instead of making your own.

Tabbouleh

Tabbouleh is a Middle Eastern salad made with bulgur wheat, fresh herbs, and vegetables. It's light, refreshing, and full of flavor.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup bulgur wheat
• 1 large tomato, diced
• 1 cucumber, diced
• 1/4 red onion, diced
• 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped
• 3 tbsp lemon juice
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Tools:

• Large mixing bowl
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Cutting board
• Sharp knife

How to make it:

1. Add the bulgur wheat to a large mixing bowl and cover with boiling water. Let it sit for 20-30 minutes until the wheat is tender.
2. Drain any excess water from the bulgur wheat and fluff it with a fork.
3. Add the tomato, cucumber, red onion, parsley, and mint to the mixing bowl and stir to combine.
4. Add the lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper and toss everything together well.
5. Let the tabbouleh sit for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.

Tips:

• You can add other vegetables or even fruits to the tabbouleh, such as diced bell pepper or chopped apple.
• If you don't have bulgur wheat, you can use quinoa or couscous instead.

Baklava

Baklava is a sweet Middle Eastern pastry made with layers of phyllo dough, nuts, and honey syrup. It's rich and indulgent, perfect for a special occasion or just as a treat.

Ingredients:

• 1 package phyllo dough
• 1 cup chopped nuts (walnuts, pistachios, or almonds)
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Tools:

• 9x13 inch baking dish
• Pastry brush
• Serrated knife
• Saucepan

How to make it:

1. Preheat your oven to 350F/175C.
2. Chop the nuts into small pieces and set aside.
3. Butter the bottom and sides of a 9x13 inch baking dish.
4. Lay out a sheet of phyllo dough in the baking dish and brush with melted butter. Repeat with 7 more sheets of phyllo, brushing each one with butter.
5. Sprinkle a layer of chopped nuts over the phyllo dough.
6. Add another layer of phyllo dough and brush with butter. Repeat with another 7 sheets of phyllo and nuts until you have used up all of the nuts.
7. Add a final layer of phyllo dough on top and brush with butter.
8. Using a sharp, serrated knife, cut the baklava into diamonds or squares.
9. Bake for 40-45 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the edges are crispy.
10. While the baklava is baking, make the honey syrup. Combine the sugar, honey, vanilla extract, and 1 cup of water in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 20-30 minutes, until the syrup has thickened slightly.
11. Once the baklava is done baking, remove it from the oven and pour the honey syrup over the top, making sure to get it into all of the nooks and crannies.
12. Let the baklava cool completely before serving.

Tips:

• For an extra special touch, garnish the baklava with chopped nuts or a sprinkle of cinnamon once it has cooled.
• Don't worry if the phyllo dough tears or rips - just patch it up with a little bit of butter and keep going. No one will notice once the baklava is baked.

There you have it - some of our favorite Middle Eastern recipes to try out at home. With a little bit of practice, you'll be cooking up delicious and exotic dishes in no time.