middle eastern feasts

In Syrian culture, breakfast is a large spread of assorted small plates. It’s a time for family and conversation and the meal can take a couple of hours. If you want to up your weekend breakfast game, this is the recipe for you. 

Syrian-inspired brunch

450 grams/1lb dried chickpeas,

Arabic flatbreads

beef tomato,

pickles, sliced

parsley leaves, finely chopped

lemon

salt and black pepper

coriander leaves

parsley leaves

garlic

tsp cumin

coriander seeds

sesame seeds

vegetable oil

tbsp tahini

tbsp plain yoghurt

lemon juice

olive oil

lemon, juice only

1–2 ice cubes

grams/1¾oz lamb mince

parsley

tin fava beans/broad beans, drained

beef tomato, roughly chopped

pomegranate molasses

cumin

2–3 spring onions, thinly sliced

pitta breads

olive oil,

This side dish is made in minutes, ideal for any barbecue or summer party. The large pearl couscous, also known as Israeli couscous or giant couscous, is actually made from small balls of pasta.

Giant couscous salad

tbsp olive oil,

couscous

red onion, finely chopped

lemon, zest and juice

parsley,

mint,

coriander,

sumac (optional)

A delicious salad made with Israeli couscous, herbs and spices.

Pearl couscous salad

Muhammara is a vibrant Levantine dip that's sweet, nutty and tangy. it's really quick to whip up with roasted peppers from a jar, but tastes absolutely amazing if you roast fresh peppers on a barbecue or even a gas hob. Serve as part of a mezze with bread or as a sauce for kebabs, grilled meats and fish. Best eaten at room temperature. 

Muhammara (roasted red pepper dip)

grams/2½oz walnuts

red peppers (jarred is fine)

grams/2½oz white breadcrumbs

tbsp extra virgin olive oil

mint

This makes a colourful and tasty vegan main course that is perfect for a dinner party or special meal. 

Roast aubergines with jewelled rice and tahini dressing

aubergines, halved lengthways

butternut squash, peeled and cut into 2cm/¾in cubes

spring onions, green parts only, thinly sliced

sea salt and black pepper

lime wedges,

jasmine rice

salt

cinnamon

Persian lime (optional)

grams/3½oz cranberries

pomegranate, seeds only

chives,

½ lime, very finely chopped (including skin)

½ lime, juice only

garlic clove, chopped

spring onions, white parts only, chopped

½ green chilli, deseeded and chopped

tahini

soy sauce

tbsp red wine vinegar or sherry vinegar

4½ tbsp date molasses

I love to pickle red cabbage because of the magical way it turns a vivid red when it comes into contact with the vinegar, but you can customise this recipe to the ingredients you have available. You can replace the red cabbage with a hard white Dutch-style cabbage or a spicy Chinese pak choi cabbage. Swap the fennel for caraway, cumin or coriander; the chilli for mustard seeds and the vinegar for wine or rice vinegar.

For this recipe you will need two 500ml/18fl oz sterilised jars. See Recipe Tips for information on sterilising. 

Pickled red cabbage

red cabbage

fennel bulb,

tbsp fine sea salt

300 milliliters/½ pint cider vinegar

50–100 grams/1¾–3½oz sugar (according

fennel seeds

½ tsp chilli flakes

juice

Tabasco

Chicken shawarma, but cooked in a pan! While this Middle Eastern spread feels really fresh and summery, it uses lots of store cupboard ingredients like roasted peppers in a jar, pickled vegetables, tinned lentils and harissa for flavour, meaning you can make this year round with a reliable red cabbage, a handful of parsley and a bulb of garlic.
Each serving provides 559 kcal, 47g protein, 25g carbohydrate (of which 9g sugars), 28g fat (of which 7.6g saturates), 8.7g fibre and 1.3g salt.

Top 6 middle eastern feasts recipes from across the web

The most viewed middle eastern feasts recipes by Recipe Cart users, saved from over 20,000 sites. Or, go to our Recipe Search Engine

Top Tags

Syrian-inspired brunch

Giant couscous salad

Muhammara (roasted red pepper dip)

Roast aubergines with jewelled rice...

Pickled red cabbage

Frying pan chicken shawarma with le...

Top 6 middle eastern feasts recipes from across the web

The most viewed middle eastern feasts recipes by Recipe Cart users, saved from over 20,000 sites. Or, go to our Recipe Search Engineic_arrow_forward_48px

Top Tags

Syrian-inspired brunch

Giant couscous salad

Muhammara (roasted red pepper dip)

Roast aubergines with jewelled rice...

Pickled red cabbage

Frying pan chicken shawarma with le...

The most viewed middle eastern feasts recipes by Recipe Cart users, saved from over 20,000 sites. Or, go to our Recipe Search Engine