Middle Eastern Cuisine

Feature Writer: Debbie Kwiatoski
How do you describe the cuisine of a region as diverse as the Middle East? How do you explain how it all comes together into a tapestry as remarkable as an Oriental carpet?
The “tent food” of the Bedouin, the peasant dishes, the high cuisine of some of the world's oldest cities, they are all part of this culture and this cuisine.
I suspect that the threads that first bound this region of contradictions together were the trade routes: the Great Silk Road that wove its way from India and China to the West and the smaller paths trod by traders and travelers, armies and missionaries. They spread their food styles throughout the region and the admixture that remained became a cuisine in its own right. These are the foods and traditions we will explore as we develop this section.
feature articles
Debbie Kwiatoski
Mar 2, 2009
Red Lentil Soup
In: Middle Eastern Cuisine (general)
Not all lentils are created equal - or come in the same color. The red (or pink) lentils in this lovely Armenian soup create a very different dish.
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Mar 2, 2009
Armenian Stuffed Artichokes
In: Middle Eastern Cuisine (general)
Here's a new take on an old favorite - stuffed artichokes. They are perfect for a light summer dinner, a cocktail party or afternoon mezes with some arak or mint tea.
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Jan 1, 2009
3 Pilafs
In: Middle Eastern Cuisine (general)
Bulgur, a pre-cooked and dried form of wheat, figures highly in pilaf dishes of all sorts. Here are three easy favorites.
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Dec 30, 2008
Harpoot Kufta
In: Turkish Food
With a meat and bulgur Shell enrobing a zesty filling, these "stuffed" meatballs are delicious with yogurt.
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Dec 30, 2008
Lentil and Lamb Casserole
In: Middle Eastern Cuisine (general)
This is a terrific dish to serve on a frigid winter's night. The best part is that it "gets better," if it sits for a day and ends up as leftovers!
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Nov 25, 2008
Sou-Beoreg
In: Middle Eastern Cuisine (general)
Pasta-like dishes are as common in the Middle East as they are in the Mediterranean. But in Middle eastern food, they are more often referred to as forms of "beoreg.'
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Nov 25, 2008
Manti
In: Middle Eastern Cuisine (general)
These tasty packets of meat-filled dumplings are perfect on a cold night, served hot from the oven with a nice dollop of yogurt.
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Nov 23, 2008
Chanukah Favorites Created for Manischewitz
In: Jewish Food
Susie Fishbein and Sarah Lasry help kick off 3rd Annual Manischewitz Creative Cooking Contest this year with fresh takes on two Chanukah classics: Latkes and Chicken.
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All feature articles in Middle Eastern Cuisine
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