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    Home » World Recipes

    Israeli and Middle Eastern cuisine

    This is a region that can be defined differently, and can be tricky in many ways. When I say Israeli and Middle Eastern, I'm mainly talking about the region that is often called the Levant in the Eastern Mediterranean (modern day Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Palestine, Israel, Egypt and Cyprus) and the Arabic peninsula rather than more towards India. Despite modern politics, there's much that unites the region in food and it's a region home to many fantastic flavors.

    Middle Eastern salads

    Salads are a common part of many meals, many with vibrant, fresh flavors that are perfect alongside many other dishes.

    • bowl of fattoush salad from overhead with serving spoons below
      Fattoush salad
    • small bowl of Israeli salad
      Jerusalem salad - salata baladi
    • overhead view of bowl of tabbouleh with pomegranate with spoon in bowl to one side.
      Tabbouleh with pomegranate
    • side close up view of plate of halloumi and watermelon salad.
      Halloumi and watermelon salad

    Mezze dips and bites

    Small plates are a traditional way to structure some meals, often with dips and cold dishes first followed by warm dishes after. Try some favorites:

    • dish of muhammara from overhead
      Muhammara (red pepper and walnut dip/spread)
    • plate of spinach fatayer with one bitten into on top
      Spinach fatayer
    • dish of hummus with lamb topped with parsley and pine nuts
      Hummus kawarma (hummus with lamb)
    • three hawawshi meat filled pita
      Hawawshi (ground/minced meat pitas)

    Try more from the region:

    • lahmacun Turkish pizza with tomato slice and lemon wedge on top.
      Lahmacun - Turkish pizza/flatbread
    • part view of plate of chickpea fatteh from side
      Chickpea fatteh
    • plate of dolmeh barge mo Persian stuffed grape leaves
      Dolmeh barge mo - Persian stuffed grape leaves
    • plate of Lebanese chicken and rice from overhead
      Lebanese chicken and rice
    • piles of spices in dosh to make Lebanese seven spices aka baharat
      Lebanese seven spice (sabaa baharat)
    • Manakish on plate with tomatoes and cucumber to side
      Manakish (Lebanese za'atar flatbread)
    • bowl of za'atar spice blend with spoon in it
      Za'atar spice blend
    • dish of za'atar chicken
      Za'atar chicken
    • glass of limonana mint lemonade
      Limonana (mint lemonade)
    • Musakhan (Palestinian sumac chicken) served on bread on a plate
      Musakhan (Palestinian sumac chicken)
    • umm Ali Egyptian bread pudding on plate
      Umm Ali
    • bowl of kisir Turkish bulgar salad from side
      Kisir - Turkish bulgur salad
    • bowl of shakshuka hummus from overhead
      Shakshuka hummus
    • two lamb kofta or kofte on pita with yogurt sauce
      Lamb kofta (köfte)
    • eggplant with tahini
      Roasted eggplant with tahini
    • close up of kleicha Iraqi date cookies on plate
      Kleicha (Iraqi date cookies)
    • baba ghanoush eggplant dip/spread (baba ganoush)
      Baba ghanoush (eggplant dip/spread)
    • shakshuka with meat in dish with sliced bread above dish
      Beefed-up shakshuka
    • plate of lamb pilaf
      Lamb pilaf
    Caroline's Cooking

    Welcome! I'm Caroline and this is where I share recipes inspired by travels, places I want to go, or just ideas from feeding the family. Most recipes are easy to make and healthier, but there are treats too!

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