The Middle East is famously known for its hummus and oil. But the world is hidden from this region’s delicious, sweet, and savory flavor. If you plan to visit the middle east, here are a few dishes you must try because this is a guarantee that you won’t find cuisine like this anywhere in the world.
Hummus
Made of mashed chickpeas combined with blended spices, salt, olive oil, and lemon juice, this budget-friendly dip goes along with anything from breads to salads. It is served as a side with dishes. It’s the easiest recipe in any cookbook, but we advise you to try for the authentic taste before making it at home.
Foul and Tameez
Popularly known as ‘poor man’s breakfast. This is a simple, healthy, and heart-warming breakfast option which is made of traditional fava bean stew dressed with olive oil and cumin paired with delicious butter-glazed flatbread.
Manakeesh
Manakeesh has always been a go-to meal whenever we craved pizza because it is the main of such simple yet divine ingredients. This is a traditional Levantine dish with flatbread and herbs like thyme, cheese, or ground beef. It can be sliced or folded like a pizza and eaten for breakfast or lunch.
Shawarma
Having its origins in the Middle East. This piled-up goodness of meat is surely to die for. It’s a famous street meal traditionally produced with seasoned meats placed on a vertical rotisserie, sliced off in small slices as it revolves. The best way to eat shawarma is in a wrap with hummus, tahini, pickles, and chili, topping it off with coriander for the green freshness.
Falafel
Immersed with flavor, these deep-fried balls made with chickpeas and fava beans are served with flatbread, mayonnaise, chilies, and pickles. These bite-sized treats are the perfect and filling breakfast and lunch meals. The advantage of such snacks is how easy it is to store to take to work, school or picnics. It can be paired with various kinds of flatbreads to make a delicious meal.
Taameya sandwich
It has the same umami feeling as shawarma and is a perfect option for vegetarians. It is falafels stuffed in a sandwich with all the other shawarma ingredients. Falafel is a chickpea combination seasoned with leeks, onions, fresh coriander, parsley, and cumin, and the fritters are typically sprinkled with sesame seeds before frying. This meal could keep your stomach full for more than half a day.
Al Baik
While this dish is not considered traditional, it is the soul food of Saudi Arabia. This fast-food enterprise had truly placed high standards. It specializes in crispy and juicy chicken broast with sesame seed buns, light golden brown French fries, and a variety of sauces. Albaik is only sold in the middle east, now having one of its outlets in the U.A.E.
Halvah
Halvah is a popular middle eastern dessert resembling a layered cake or a cheese wheel. The basic ingredients are wheat/semolina tahini, sesame seeds, sugar, and vanilla. This traditional dessert had multiple flavors with modern twists like chocolate swirls, caramel, and nuts like pistachios.
Baklava
Baklava is a layered filo pastry delicacy filled with chopped nuts and sweetened with honey or syrup. Additional syrup can be added on the top according to preferences. While it was one of Ottoman cuisine’s most popular sweet pastries, it was also quite popular in Saudi and this is considered one of the finest methods to sweeten greetings, whether for a special occasion or simply meeting a family friend.
Kunafa
To end on a sweeter note, A Middle Eastern delicacy made with fine semolina dough soaked in a sweet, sugar-based syrup and stacked with cheese or other ingredients like cream and almonds. It is such a popular dessert in the Middle East that every food outlet sells these delicious, hot, and crispy sweets. A perfect balance of sweet and savory? Go for a Kunafa.
Again, just to remind you, these are just a few delicacies of this land. There is plenty out there for you to enjoy and, at the same time, learn about their culture and traditions. Once you take on this food adventure journey, you won’t be able to stop. So what are you waiting for?