For too long now, the Middle East has been associated with war, conflict and a perceived backward way of life. Maybe it’s time to start focusing on the positives a little more: this region’s culture has a lot of wonderful things to offer, including succulent food. Here are the 5 most delicious Middle Eastern dishes. This is a subjective list, but no one can deny that everyone should try these at least once in their life.
1- Manakish
Few things are synonymous with Lebanese cuisine as Manakish. It is a food that is permanently embedded in Lebanese popular culture and has often been described as “the taste of Lebanon”.
A Manouchehr is a dough that is folded and served for breakfast. Historically, village women bake them in communal ovens early in the morning. The usual toppings of Manakish are Zaatar, cheese, minced meat, kinship or spinach. The most popular one is Zaatar, a sauce made using Origanum Syriacum herbs, olive oils, and sesame seeds. Manakish can be baked in an oven or on top of a saj by flattening the dough to allow for the paste to spread through the bread.
2- Shawarma
Genuine meat lovers will adore this dish. It consists of stripped meat or chicken cooked on a broiler, with the meat juices saved and added to the main dish. Chicken Shawarma is usually prepared with lettuce, pickles and an irresistible garlic paste locally known as Toum. The meat version is quite different: Instead of garlic, Shawarma is consumed with Hummus and some parsley. Some prefer to eat it as a platter, but this writer recommends having it wrapped in a sandwich. There are no shortages of Shawarma joints worldwide, but make sure to choose one that cooks its meat using a vertical broiler; otherwise, it’s not worthy of being called a Shawarma!
3- Knafeh
You can’t say that middle easterners aren’t innovators. At first glance, Knafeh is a weird paradox: a pastry/dessert made with cheese. You might think that we’re describing a cheesecake. Think again: while the sweet cheese might make it similar, Knafeh is hot and melted. The pastry is similar to a kaakeh (an oriental pastry not unlike a biscuit). It is usually served with a syrup of sugar, rose water and orange blossom water.
4- Hummus
Hummus is the epitome of Middle Eastern food. Arguably one of the most popular oriental dishes, it is prepared using ground chickpeas mixed with a paste of ground sesame seeds and lemon juice, olive juice, and garlic. Hummus doesn’t constitute a dish in itself; it is served as a starter (mezze). However, it is a key ingredient in many sandwiches. Hummus can be eaten in various ways: You can dip your bread in it or add some meat and pine nuts. And there are so many more dips to try! It offers up a whole wealth of possibilities.
5-Falafel
Originating in Egypt, this dish was considered poor people food for a long time. Not anymore, as food lovers have woken up to the scrumptiousness of Falafels. They are deep-fried patty made with ground chickpeas and fava beans. They’re served with a tahini-based dip and are often wrapped in a loaf of bread. Restaurants usually sell Falafel sandwiches and add pickles and tomatoes as well. For medical reasons, the fava beans must be cooked. This dish is a favorite among vegetarians due to its high source of protein.