Middle Eastern

Yeasted pancakes mixed with saffron and cardamom (called chebab) are typical of Gulf countries, but I must confess I much prefer these lacy thin crepes.

This one-pot chicken and rice is a dinner-time winner. It gives you everything you need really: protein power, carb comfort, and joy in the form of crispy edges.

A take on Persian joojeh kebabs, these grilled saffron yogurt chicken thighs with herby labneh are vibrant, flavorful, and perfect for your next cookout.

This riff on çılbır marries garlicky yogurt, fried eggs, and spiced butter with summer tomatoes.

Kubez bread, a.k.a. kimaaj, is an Arabic flatbread or pita bread. It’s a staple in the Middle East used as an accompaniment for various dishes or as a wrap.

Garlic and chile are what really make this das medames sing, while hearty cumin, fresh cilantro, tomato, and tahini pile on layers of flavors.

This weeknight-friendly chicken dinner—made with pomegranate molasses and a toasted walnut relish—is inspired by the flavors of Persian fesenjan.

Roasted fish and herby polow for Nowruz, easy stews and quick borani for every other night of the year.

With fewer eggs than the typical frittata, this Persian egg dish is the ultimate clean-out-the-herb-drawer meal.

The tastiest way to eat a pound of kale.

Soaked, dried chickpeas, blended with a flurry of herbs and spices, are key to the best homemade falafel.

These meatballs made of beef, rice, and split peas are stuffed with dried fruit and braised in a flavorful tomato sauce—a hearty, satisfying labor of love.

This Iranian bread recipe is fluffy and tender, with saffron (and a pinch of turmeric) providing a vibrant color and subtly sweet, honey-like scent.

Turn a few pantry and fridge staples into this good-any-time-of-day meal.

These Middle Eastern meat-stuffed pitas get their earthy, spiced flavor from baharat, a blend typically comprised of cumin, allspice, black pepper, and more.

Inspired by the flavors of qorma-e-sabzi, an Afghan spinach stew, this simple soup relies on pantry staples and a box of frozen spinach.

Make the most of these salty, tangy, one-and-done flavor boosters.

A snickerdoodle-like exterior with a surprise filling of honey-sweetened, gently spiced pistachios.

Store-bought pita stands in for the more traditional lavash base in this version of lahmacun–a popular street food in Syria, Turkey, and elsewhere in the Middle East.

Tender Turkish Adana-style kebabs are an essential addition to your summer grilling.

Molly Yeh’s turkey burgers are genuinely juicy, supremely crispy, flavored like falafel, and browned in a skillet for ultimate ease.

This flavorful dinner salad—inspired by the street food favorite—is made super speedy with the addition of store-bought rotisserie chicken.

Tangy whey, refreshing cucumber, and a sweet-tart sekanjabin syrup made from apple cider vinegar come together to form a seriously drinkable beverage.

The hands-off process of straining yogurt overnight yields labneh, a thicker, creamy spread you’ll use in everything from dips to dressings.