Koshary
Koshary is pretty much Egypt's staple street food. You can find anything from a 2-story koshary restaurant to a man with a cart on the side of the street. It has no meat, but even the biggest of ca...
View Detail
Turkish Eggs (Cilbir)
This Turkish eggs recipe was a surprise for me. I feel like I've seen and done it all at my age, so you can only imagine my shock at finding a new way to prepare eggs. I would never have thought to...
View Detail
Shakshuka
Shakshuka (or shakshouka) is a traditional Tunisian dish featuring poached eggs in a spicy tomato sauce with onions, bell pepper, and garlic. It's usually eaten for breakfast, but I think it makes ...
View Detail
Persian Rice
This Persian rice takes the grand prize. I believe I've posted a few foolproof methods for cooking perfect rice, but this recipe is not even close to second. The beauty of this method is that it do...
View Detail
Chicken Biryani
Chicken biryani is a delicious Pakistani/Indian rice dish that's typically reserved for special occasions such as weddings, parties, or holidays such as Ramadan. It has a lengthy preparation, but t...
View Detail
Beef Samosas
These savory, spicy beef samosas are wonderful. My friend from Bangladesh gave me this recipe. You just can't buy better in the shops!
View Detail
No-Fail Bean Pie
This is a traditional Muslim bean pie made with navy beans. There are only a few recipes for this pie, and it took me years of tweaking those recipes to come up with a version I like. Serve this pi...
View Detail
Homemade Manti (Traditional Turkish Dumplings)
This manti recipe for dumplings takes time to prepare, but I'm sure you'll agree it is worth it. Manti is a popular meal in my country. Afiyet olsun (bon appétit)!
View Detail
Al Kabsa (Traditional Saudi Rice and Chicken)
Al kabsa was the first Arabic dish I ever made. It turned out extremely delicious and is a new favorite. Serve with fresh mixed cucumber, carrot, lettuce, and tomato salad — preferably with a lit...
View Detail
Indian Fish Curry
This Indian fish curry is a very spicy dish. The recipe was inspired by a Bengali fish recipe my mother used to make in India.
View Detail
Shish Tawook Grilled Chicken
Shish tawook are tasty grilled chicken skewers that are served in every restaurant in the Middle East. You can easily make them at home and they'll taste just as good, if not better! Don't be tempt...
View Detail
Slow Cooker Oats
These hearty steel-cut oats in the crockpot are so easy. I just can't get up in the morning to make breakfast for my husband before he leaves for work, so I put this in the slow cooker the night be...
View Detail
Turkish Red Lentil Soup with Mint
This Turkish red lentil soup recipe is divine. The soup has dynamic flavors and a lovely, mild heat, much like one you'd find at a Turkish restaurant. I make a big batch and eat it for lunch with c...
View Detail
Sambusa
This sambusa recipe is my version of a Somali dish that I learned by watching friends around Ramadan. These sambusas are really good, and I can't stop eating them. They are served during Ramadan, w...
View Detail
Sean's Falafel and Cucumber Sauce
This falafel sauce recipe is great. Everyone that I have made it for loves it. Yum!
View Detail
Bazlama - Turkish Flat Bread
Bazlama is a simple and delicious village bread that I learned to prepare after moving to Turkey. Normally it is cooked in an outdoor oven but it works just as well on the stove top. It's best serv...
View Detail
Fereni Starch Pudding
This delightful starch-thickened pudding with almonds can be eaten hot or cold during Ramadan, particularly on sohur or iftar. Adjust both the sugar and rosewater to taste.
View Detail
Vermicelli Pudding
A traditional dessert specially made for Eid festivals. No Eid breakfast is complete without this tasty and easy dish.
View Detail
Ayam Penyet Pedas (Indonesian Spicy Penyet Chicken)
Ayam Penyet (Penyet Chicken) is an incredibly spicy Indonesian dish that will make your tongue feel like burning... you will need to go to a special Asian grocery store to get some of the ingredients.
View Detail
Authentic Bangladeshi Beef Curry
This spicy beef curry is best served with plain basmati rice or eaten with naan or pita bread.
View Detail
Chef John's Falafel
Unlike most of America's other favorite fast foods, falafel is rarely attempted at home, which is a shame, since it's very simple to do, and even a relative novice like me can get some very decent ...
View Detail
Middle Eastern Tomato Salad
This salad is a perfect side dish for any phase of the South Beach Diet, or any other diet for that matter, and it's an incredible tasting summer treat for anyone, whether or not you're on a diet. ...
View Detail
Pasta with Yogurt Sauce
This is a Middle Eastern adaptation using any pasta--fusilli, elbow macaroni, penne, shells, etc. It is just as tasty eaten cold or warm, and is a quick fix for a hurry up meal. Sahtain!--to your h...
View Detail
Om Ali
This Egyptian dessert contains phyllo dough or puff pastry, milk and nuts. Use any kind of nuts that you would like and eat it with a spoon. Legend has it that Om Ali was the first wife of the sult...
View Detail
Baba Ghanoush
Baba ghanoush is a savory, smoky dip or spread made with roasted eggplant, garlic, tahini, olive oil, and lemon juice. Adjust the amount of lemon juice and tahini to suit your taste. Delicious serv...
View Detail
Butter Lamb Gravy
Lamb is simmered in a spicy tomato and cream sauce. This is a very mouthwatering dish that is easy to make. Serve with hot cooked rice or your favorite bread. You can even make a variation with chi...
View Detail