Traditional Recipes From the Middle East

The Middle Eastern cuisine is very paradoxical because it is diverse
while having a certain degree of homogeneity. The cuisine has an
Ottoman regime touch in it. There are some commonly used ingredients
like olives and olive oil, pitas (round bread), honey, sesame seeds,
sumac (flowering plant), chickpeas, mint and parsley. Some famous
dishes that are rejoiced all around the world are kibbeh (rice and
chopped meat) and shawarma (sandwich-like wrap with variations of
chicken, lamb or goat).They also have popular alcoholic drink called
the 'arak'. There are many traditional recipes from the Middle East
that are rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Foods like
hummus and lamb contain taste and nutrition.The traditional recipes of
the Middle East include flat bread, lentils, fresh fruits and nuts,
raw vegetables, lamb, beef, goat cheese and different types of
yogurt.Lamb is an integral part of any traditional recipe. It is a
versatile meat that can be marinate, baked, grilled, broiled or
fried.Besides preparations from lamb, hummus is another traditional
recipe that has gained popularity over the years, thanks to its
exposure to the west. It is a very nutritious recipe made of chickpeas
and garlic.The kebabs are a delicacy enjoyed in all parts of the
world. Made from variations of chicken and lamb, kebab corners are
found at roadside restaurants across Syria, Lebanon, and
Jordan.Besides the kebabs and the meat dishes, the Israeli salad is a
simple dish that consists of tomatoes, onion and bell pepper. This
salad is a compliment to any Middle Eastern meal.And if you feel that
a lot has been discussed about meat, then let's go to the sweet! Lokma
is Turkish fried sweet dough covered in simple syrup. It is generally
used as an accompaniment to coffee.Knefe is a traditional Lebanese
dessert made with phyllo (paper-thin sheets of flour dough) and
cheese. So a rich cuisine and a great variety to explore and choose
from- Israeli, Lebanese, Turkish and the list just goes on!