20 top Middle Eastern foods: Which of these is the best?
Fresh, wholesome, healthy, rich, aromatic — it’s no surprise that Middle Eastern cuisine’s global profile has skyrocketed in the last decade.
While everyone has a favorite dish, we sought the opinion of Lebanese-American food blogger Bethany Kehdy of dirtykitchensecrets.com.
M’jadarrah, a simple and rustic dish, is one of her favorites. That’s a lentil stew (also known as poor man’s stew) made with slow-cooked lentils, burghul, and caramelized onions, and served with a zesty cabbage salad on the side.
Or kishik, a porridge made from burghul fermented with yogurt and sun-dried on rooftops for seven days in the fall before being ground into a fine powder.
“It’s soul-soothing, wholesome food in a flash, albeit an acquired taste,” says the power blogger.
So, what’s your favorite Middle Eastern dish?
Along with Kehdy’s perspectives, we’ve compiled a list of 20 of our favorite Middle Eastern dishes, as well as locations where you can find them:
1. Hummus
The traditional hot pita bread can be slathered with the big daddy chickpea spread, which can be slathered on anything from a burger to a baked potato.
Veteran opinion: the more garlic, the better.
Try it at: Abu Shukri, Via Dolorosa near Damascus Gate in Jerusalem, Israel. Phone: +972 2 627 1538
2. Manakeesh
Manakeesh, the Arabic world’s pizza, is a round bread topped with cheese, ground meat, or herbs (zaatar). It’s a great option for breakfast or lunch. Varieties are available from both fine Levantine restaurants and street vendors.
Where to try it: Al Hallab, Guarhoud Road, Garhoud, Dubai, UAE. Phone: +971 4 282 3388
3. Grilled halloumi
These chewy mini-slabs are made from goat and sheep milk. Unlike other cheeses, no acid or bacteria are used during the manufacturing process.
It can be found at: Abdel Wahab, El Inglizi Street, Monot, Achrafleh, Beirut, Lebanon. Phone: +961 1 200 550
4. Foul meddamas
This dish, which is made of fava beans, olive oil, parsley, onion, garlic, and lemon, does not have the most appetizing presentation — blobby brown mush is about the best we can say about it. Taste and texture more than make up for it.
Where to try it: The Pavilion Downtown Dubai Cafe, Downtown, Dubai, UAE. Phone: +971 4 447 7025
5. Falafel
Fried chickpeas with herbs are simply a delicious snack. Alternatively, a tasty pita filler. The origins of falafel, on the other hand, are a matter of patriotic interest for Middle Easterners.
According to the “New York Times,” the dish’s origins have sparked heated debates, but we’re content to remain on the sidelines and addicted to the taste.
6. Tabouleh
This magical combination of bulgur, parsley, mint, onion, and tomatoes does not require you to be a vegetarian. But be careful: after a steady diet of this popular salad, you might be tempted to switch sides.
Try it at: Cairo Restaurant on Al-Malek Talal Street in Amman, Jordan. Phone: +962 6 462 4527
7. Moutabal/baba ghanoush
Just as you’re about to declare hummus the best dip on the planet, you come across moutabal. The dip has a similar consistency to baba ghanoush and an eggplant kick. It has a zing to it because it is spiced with chili.
Where to try it: Zest, One&Only The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, United Arab Emirates Phone: +971 4 440 1010.
8. Fattoush
This tangy salad is one of the Middle East’s most significant contributions to global culture. Crispy lettuce, crunchy fried pita squares, diced tomatoes, cucumbers, and onion, garlic, lemon, olive oil, and mint combine to create a refreshing addiction.
Where to try it: Al Halabi, Mall of the Emirates, Barsha, Dubai, UAE. Phone: +971 4 395 1615
9. Umm ali
Umm ali, or Egyptian bread pudding, is a hearty pastry cooked in milk and cream. There are croissant pieces, raisins, pistachios, vanilla, and condensed milk versions.
Where to try it: Naguib Mahfouz Restaurant is located at 5 Sikkit el Badistan, Khan el Khalili, Cairo, Egypt. Phone: +20 202 590 3788
10. Shanklish
This sheep or cow milk cheese is typically formed into golf ball-sized bites and rolled in zaatar herbs or chili flakes (the latter version favored in Syria). Also popular with diced tomato, onion, and olive oil.
Where to try it: Market Place, JW Marriott Dubai, Abu Baker Al Siddique Road, Al Rigga, Dubai, United Arab Emirates Phone: +971 4 607 7009
11. Shawarma
No, shawarma was not invented to cure hangovers. However, the tender skewered chicken, garlic puree, and salad wrapped in pita have made it a popular post-session snack all over the world. Please add one more.
Where to try it: Hashipudia, 6 Ha-Shikma Street, Jerusalem, Israel, is a good place to try it. Phone: +972 2 625 4036
12. Shish tawook
This simple skewered chicken dish, served with pure garlic paste, is hugely popular in Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, Iraq, and the Gulf region. The meals come with fries and pita bread.
Try it at: Al Falamanki on Damascus Street in Beirut, Lebanon. Phone: +961 1 323 456
Dolma goes horribly wrong when the stuffed vine leaves become flaccid and slimy after too much time in the sun. They must be made from fresh ingredients, such as succulent lamb or juicy vegetables.
Try it at: Asitane Restaurant, Kariye Camii Sokak 6, EdirnekapI, Istanbul, Turkey. Phone: +90 212 534 8414
14. Kofta
These balls of minced lamb or beef with a spicy onion kick are popular in Iran and Pakistan.
The patties can be fried, grilled, barbecued, or baked, but they’re best served with a distinctive spicy sauce. In the Arab world, they are typically cylinder-shaped and served on a stick.
Where to try it: Gulf Pomegranate Iranian Restaurant, Al Ansab Road, Muaskar Al Murtafa’a, Oman, next to Al Agbiya Mosque. Phone: +968 9 223 6697
15. Quwarmah Al Dajaj
Curry connoisseurs , this may be a new one for you.
The zesty dish, known as Kuwaiti curried chicken, is made with a blend of Middle Eastern flavors and spices, including lime, ginger, turmeric, baharat, cumin, cardamom, black pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg, and paprika, that combine to give it a distinct pop.
Where to try it: Mais Alghanim, Gulf Road, Kuwait is a good place to try it. Phone: +965 2 225 1155
16. Mansaf
The small version of this Jordanian and Palestinian dish resembles a pizza topped with a lamb carcass, whereas the larger banquet variety can cover an entire table. Despite its intimidating appearance, the tender mutton with yogurt sauce and almond and pine nuts is a culinary masterpiece.
Where to try it: Jabri Restaurant, Wasfi Al-Tal Street, Amman, Jordan. Tel: +962 6 5681700
17. Kebab karaz
This Syrian dish, also known as cherry kebab or desert candy, puts a new spin on the classic meat stick. Kebab karaz adds sour cherries and pomegranate pips to the meaty mix, turning it blood red, sweet, and sour.
Where to try it: Al-Mayas, Al-Bedea, Kuwait City, Kuwait. Tel: +965 5 738 089
18. Baklava
Baklava is one of the world’s most enduring and beloved dishes, thanks to its buttery filo pastry, chopped nuts, sweet syrup, and honey dressing, which dates back to the Ottoman empire.
Where to try it: Rihtim Cad, Kati Otopark Alti, 3-4 Karakoy, Istanbul. Tel: +90 212 293 0910
19. Knafeh
Nabusi cheese, which is common in Palestine, Syria, and Lebanon, is used in this delectable cheesecake. The blush color is derived from orange blossom or rose water.
Where to try it: Habibah, Al Malek al Hussein Street, Amman, Jordan
20. Iraqi masgouf
Do you recall the best piece of carp you’ve ever eaten? No?
You would if it was this carp, which is slow-cooked for up to three hours until the fat is burned off before being served with lemon and pickles.
Where to try it: Al Adhamiyah Iraqi Restaurant, Al Asmakh Street, Jasra, Doha. Tel: +974 4432 4326
Read More: https://cnn.it/3HW9LJU
