18 Middle Eastern-Inspired Recipes We Absolutely Love
The shower of herbs. The dollop of yogurt. The swipe of harissa. These longtime signatures of Middle Eastern food have been embraced by health-minded chefs—and deserve a spot in your kitchen too. From a guide to modern Middle Eastern cooking to a traditional Persian New Year menu, here are some delicious jumping-off points.
Alex Lau10/18Spiced Chickpeas With Crispy Pita, Yogurt, and Brown Butter
This version of the Levantine breakfast dish, known as fatteh hummus, is all about the contrast of textures and flavors: crunchy pita chips, creamy chickpeas, and tart yogurt. Read more about making a showstopping Lebanese brunch here.
Alex Lau11/18Labneh with Za'atar Oil
Blooming the spices—i.e., warming them in oil until they’re fragrant—awakens them and brings out a toasty flavor. Read more about making a showstopping Lebanese brunch here.
Alex Lau12/18Smashed Cherry Tomatoes and Cucumbers with Lime and Mint
Tired of spinach in your smoothie? This recipe is the perfect way to eat something green in the morning. Read more about making a showstopping Lebanese brunch here.
Alex Lau13/18Sumac Fried Eggs With Red Chile and Garlic
In Lebanon, eggs are usually fried with sumac and a bit of oil or animal fat until the white forms crisp edges. Here we added garlic and chile in addition to the traditional sumac. Read more about making a showstopping Lebanese brunch here.
Alex Lau14/18Quince Jam With Cardamom and Pistachios
There’s no substitute for quince, which is closely related to apples and pears. Astringent and very hard-fleshed when raw, it softens and becomes fragrant when cooked. Quince is in season in fall, but if you can’t find it fresh, look for a high-quality quince jam from a Middle Eastern market. Read more about making a showstopping Lebanese brunch here.
