Exploring Middle Eastern Delights: Favorite Dishes from Home and Beyond

Middle Eastern cuisine is a treasure trove of flavors and culinary delights, from the delicious falafel to the comforting Loubieh Bil Lahmeh. Each dish captures the vibrant essence of the region, offering a unique taste experience that is both comforting and exciting. In this article, we will explore these favorite home-cooked Middle Eastern dishes and the secrets behind their delectable preparation.

My Favorite Dish: Loubieh Bil Lahmeh

Your favorite Middle Eastern dish might be a personal favorite like mine, Loubieh Bil Lahmeh, a Syrian string bean stew with beef served over rice with golden brown vermicelli noodles. It's easy to make and incredibly tasty, making it a hit with both my family and guests who are new to Middle Eastern food and cooking. This dish is perfect for a cozy evening meal, and its simplicity belies the depth of flavor it provides.

Recipe for Loubieh Bil Lahmeh

Here's a simple recipe to make this delightful stew:

3 lbs. Green String Beans, snapped in half, ends removed, and cleaned well 1–1/2 lbs. Lean Beef or Lamb, cut into 1-inch cubes (round steaks work well) 1 large Sweet Onion or 2 medium onions, slivered (Vidalia onions are recommended) 4 large cloves Garlic, minced 2 Tbsp. Olive oil 1 can 15 oz. Diced tomato 1 can 15 oz. Tomato sauce 2 Tbsp. Tomato paste 2 tsp. Salt 1 tsp. Black pepper 1/4 tsp. Dried chili pepper 1 tsp. Coriander 2 tsp. Syrian spice:
- 2 Allspice
- 1/2 Cinnamon
- 1/4 Nutmeg
- 1/4 Cloves
- 1/4 Ginger
- 1/2 Black pepper
- 1/4 Cardamom
Note: If Syrian spice is not available, use Allspice and Cinnamon instead.

To prepare:

Brown the meat and add the onions, garlic, and spices; brown them more in the olive oil. Add the tomato ingredients and cook for 15–20 minutes to tenderize the meat. Then add the green beans and bring to a low simmer. Cook for 20–30 more minutes until the green beans are done. Serve over long-grain rice made with thin browned vermicelli or egg noodles. Serve with radishes, tender celery sticks, and creamy thick yogurt as sides.

Other Levantine people, particularly the Lebanese, prepare the same dish with slight variations.

Discovering Local Favorites: Falafel and Beyond

If you're still looking to explore more Middle Eastern dishes, you might enjoy falafel. This crispy, herbed flour ball filled with chickpeas is both a savory delight and a healthy munch. The recipe for falafel comes from Jeff Smith's book, and it's a treat to create from scratch.

Recipe for Falafel (from Jeff Smith's book, "The Frugal Gourmet Cooks with Wine")

For a perfect batch of falafel, follow these steps:

1 cup dried chickpeas, soaked overnight 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 cup whole wheat flour 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped 1/2 small onion, chopped 1/2 small garlic clove, minced 2 teaspoons baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 cup olive oil

To prepare:

Drain and rinse the soaked chickpeas. Mash them in a food processor or blender until they reach a coarse, grainy consistency. Add the whole flour mixture, parsley, cilantro, onion, garlic, baking soda, and salt. Process until the mixture is well combined but still retains a few small chunks. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Drop spoonfuls of the falafel mixture into the hot oil and fry until golden brown, about 4–5 minutes per side.

Toppings and Sides: Completing the Meal

No Middle Eastern dish is complete without the perfect topping or side. For example, a topping for couscous can be a delightful mix of finely chopped onions, sliced lemons, and caramelized dried apricots with honey. This topping adds a sweet and tangy element to the couscous.

Recipe for Couscous Topping

For a single serving, you can make:

1 large onion, thinly sliced 1 whole lemon, sliced 1 cup coarsely chopped dried apricots 2 ounces honey

To prepare:

Heat a little olive oil in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add the sliced onions and lemon slices and stir-fry for 20 minutes or until they are almost caramelized. Add the dried apricots and honey. Cook for an additional 10 minutes until the mixture is slightly caramelized and well-integrated.

For another intriguing dish, try Marak Kubbeh Adom, a traditional Iraqi and Kurdish Red Kubbeh Soup, which features spiced mince meat and a beetroot-based vegetable soup. This soup is a filling and rejuvenating dish, perfect for the colder months.

Recipe for Marak Kubbeh Adom

To prepare this rich soup:

Soak semolina in water for 30 minutes. Prepare a beetroot base with vegetable broth, carrots, and onions. Form the semolina into small balls (kubbeh). Mix the kubbeh balls and spiced mince meat into the beet soup. Cook until the kubbeh is cooked and the soup has thickened.

These dishes not only showcase the rich flavors of Middle Eastern cuisine but also offer a range of culinary experiences for home cooks to enjoy. Whether you're looking to make falafel, Loubieh Bil Lahmeh, or any other Middle Eastern dish, the possibilities are endless. Happy cooking and enjoy the flavors of the Middle East!