Dinner ideas

24 marvellous Middle Eastern recipes

There's nothing like filling the kitchen with the fragrant spices for which the countries of the Middle East are famous.

Dinner dishes come alive thanks to mouth-watering flavours from sumac to za’atar while desserts are sweetened with a light touch of rose water and orange blossom. Here, we’ve pulled together our best meals that make the most of these sensational spices. There’s everything from roasted eggplant with pomegranate molasses, a favourite ingredient in Iran, to konafa, a sweet cheese pastry popular in Lebanon. Dig in!

01

Labne

Labne

Orange Blossom & PISTACHIO STICKS

02

Orange blossom and pistachio sticks

Orange blossom and pistachio sticks

03

Chicken, burghul & pomegranate salad

Chicken, burghul & pomegranate salad

The weeknight salad takes on an exotic air with the inclusion of cumin, burghul and pomegranate molasses.

FALAFEL WITH EGGPLANT PUREE & TOMATO SALSA

04

Falafel with eggplant puree & tomato salsa

Falafel with eggplant puree & tomato salsa

Crunchy falafel contrast beautifully with creamy eggplant puree & fresh tomato salsa. You could even make your own falafel if you prefer.

dukkah

05

Dukkah

Dukkah

Spice up your life.

06

Lamb kofta with yoghurt

Try our Middle Eastern lamb kofta with spiced yoghurt and salad for a fresh and flavourful low-carb meal.

07

Fattoush

Fattoush

A colourful salad bursting with fresh produce. It’s refreshing, crisp and satisfying.

silver beet & porcini fillo stacks

08

Silverbeet & porcini fillo stacks

Silverbeet & porcini fillo stacks

The easiest spinach & cheese pie you will ever make.

recipes with canned tomatoes

09

Chickpea shakshuka

This Moroccan inspired chickpea shakshuka dish has a spicy kick to it.

10

Middle-eastern flavoured beef with couscous

Hearty and fragrant, this Middle-eastern flavoured beef with couscous will be sure to satisfy.

pita bread

11

Pita bread

Pita bread

Experience the true taste of these homemade yeast-leavened flatbread common in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisines, from the comfort of your own kitchen.

12

Baklava

Baklava

Go nuts for this sweet Middle Eastern dessert.

13

Fish skewers with labne & chilli tomato salad

Fish skewers with labne & chilli tomato salad

Everything takes better on a stick!

Lamb, cheese and spinach gozleme

14

Lamb, cheese and spinach gozleme

Lamb, cheese and spinach gozleme

A traditional pastry with a savoury filling of lamb, cheese and spinach. Great for a snack or light meal. Don’t forget to serve with a good squeeze of lemon juice.

15

Harira

Harira

This tasty Moroccan soup is traditionally eaten to break the daily fast during the month of Ramadan, but it is also a delicious midweek dinner, or light winter snack!

16

Zaatar spiced schnitzels with fattoush

Zaatar spiced schnitzels with fattoush

Discover the flavours of Lebanon and the middle east with this deliciously authentic zaatar spiced schnitzels with fattoush – a tasty dish the whole family will love!

meatball and potato bake

17

Sumac meatballs and potatoes with garlic yoghurt

Sumac meatballs and potatoes with garlic yoghurt

The kids will love tucking in to this delicious dish! With sumac-spiced beef meatballs, chunky potato pieces and a garlicky Middle Eastern yoghurt sauce, it’s the ideal dinner for the family.

jewelled couscous salad

18

Jewelled couscous salad

Jewelled couscous salad

konafa

19

Konafa

Konafa

tabbouleh

20

Tabbouleh

Tabbouleh

Charosets

21

Charosets

Charosets

halva

22

Spiced semolina and almond halva

Spiced semolina and almond halva

Halva recipes are many and varied – but broadly speaking are dense, sweet treats popular in Middle Eastern cuisines made on either nut butter or flour. Our halva recipe uses semolina and almonds to create a deliciously spiced treat for any time of day.

Ghoriba biscuits

23

Ghoriba biscuits

Ghoriba biscuits

These Middle Eastern biscuits are perfumed with orange flower water.

turkey koftas with fig and brown rice pilaf

24

Turkey koftas with fig and brown rice pilaf

Turkey koftas with fig and brown rice pilaf

Spiced turkey koftas with sweet and fragrant fig and brown rice pilaf.

basic hummus recipe

25

Basic hummus

Hummus is a delicious snack packed with healthy fats and beneficial fibre to help keep you feel full.

eggplant recipes

26

Roasted eggplant with spiced lamb

Roasted eggplant with spiced lamb

Silky eggplant and crunchy cauliflower topped with spiced minced lamb – delish! This dish is a stand out winner for a quick and easy midweek dinner. And it’s great for diabetics.

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