Cuisine Focus – Middle Eastern – A Blend Of Many Cultures
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Middle Eastern Food, in general, features a wide selection of recipes and dishes coming from various places. These influences include the Israelis, Turks, Armenians even North African cuisines. The recipes are characterized by its frequent use of pita breads. Legumes such as beans and chickpeas are also utilized as main ingredients. And since many of these countries follow a strict rule when it comes to food and faith, Middle Eastern cuisine rarely if not seldom serves meat.
As for prime and distinct traits, Middle Eastern cuisine is all about regions, traditions and its given heritage. The food takes after the ways and beliefs of the people, along with topography and climate change. Since Middle Eastern countries mostly experience warm and humid weather, many of the produce are vegetables and fruits that can basically survive the intense heat. The cuisine also uses fruits such as lemon and grapes. Eggplant, olives, plums and dates are also secondary commodities.
Meat choices are also limited due to the people’s religious beliefs, a clear reason why much preference is given to lamb and mutton over pork or beef. Alcohol is also prohibited that is why food and recipes cooked in wine seems to be a rarity.
Ingredients Utilized in Middle Eastern Cuisine
Meat:
Lamb, Mutton, Chicken, Beef
Seafood:
Fish, Shrimp
Legumes:
Chickpeas, Beans, Lentils
Fruits:
Grapes, Plum, Dates, Lemon, Pomegranates, Figs, Apricots, Orange
Vegetables:
Eggplants, Cucumber, Olives, Okra, Tomatoes, Turnips, Carrots, Artichokes, Zucchini, Spinach, Potatoes, Mushrooms
Spices, Seasonings and Herbs:
Parsley, Cinnamon, Sesame seeds, Mint, Honey, All spice, Cloves, Turmeric, Garlic, Peppercorns, Cumin, Chili Pepper, Dill, Cardamom, Anise, Ginger
Oils:
Olive Oil
Nuts and Grains:
Barley, Wheat, Rice, Pistachios, Almonds, Walnuts
Dairy:
Eggs, Yogurt, Cheese, Milk
Many Middle Eastern dishes also make use of a sesame paste called Tahini. This is typically used in making Meze or appetizers. Popular recipes also include Hummus, which is made out of chickpeas. Middle Eastern cuisine is also known for their kebabs, fish recipes, soups, desserts and beverages.
Famous appetizers include the eggplant dip and lentils with lemon juice. This cuisine is also known for their pickled turnips and lemon. Cucumber, almonds, red lentils and eggs are also bases for their heartwarming soups while okra, eggplant, zucchini and carrots are the most preferred vegetables.
Lamb dishes feature rice with lamb casserole (Roz Tajin) and leg of lamb with yogurt (Fakhitha Bel Laban) while herbed dressings, salsa and sesame give additional zest to their list of homemade dip and sauce.
A blend of many cultures- this is what Middle Eastern cuisine boasts of. From the Persian Empire to the Turks’ love for coffee, pastries and dough, one can see how this cuisine successfully combined foreign elements without really forgetting their own.
Authentic Middle Eastern Recipes
Aroz Saudi (Saudi Rice)
Recipe Source: ummah.com
Ingredients:
1 lb. Lean meat, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
3 cups Rice, soaked in water for 15 minutes, then drained
1/4 cup Chopped onions
1 tablespoon Crushed garlic
1/2 cup Raisins
2 tablespoons Tomato paste
1/2 teaspoon each: Cloves, cinnamon, salt, pepper
1 tablespoon Ground cardamon
1/4 cup each, Pine nuts, almonds, toasted
Method:
Brown meat, with one tablespoon butter, from all sides.
Add seasoning to meat and stir. Pour three cups boiling water over. Cover and let cook for one hour on a medium high heat, till meat is done. Measure the broth left in a measuring cup. Add water to have 3 cups liquid.
Stir onions and garlic with 1/2 tablespoon hot melted butter, till slightly brown.
Add the meat and the liquid to the onion mixture. Stir tomato paste over. Let boil bfore adding the rice and raisins.
Cover pan and reduce heat to low, putting a thin layer of tin under the pan to prevent the rice from burning.
Let cook for 30 minutes. Open the pan and stir just the top layer. See if rice is cooked. You may need to cook, covered, a few minutes longer.
Serve rice and garnish with meat and nuts.
Serve with plain Yogurt and mixed green salad.
Kofta
Recipe Source: mideastfood.about.com
Kofta is a great alternative to meatloaf! Made with ground beef and spices, it is cooked, but not served, on a skewer. It is best to cook these on flat skewers, not round. They can be baked in the oven or on the grill. They are a summertime favorite!
The recipe calls for extra finely ground beef. Ask your butcher or the meat department to run the beef through the grinder one or two extra times. It makes a difference in the recipe – the meat will be smooth and soft.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 60 minutes
Ingredients:
- 3 lbs ground beef (ground extra fine)
- 1 large onion
- 1/2 cup of fresh parsley, chopped
- salt
- pepper
Preparation:
Finely chop onion and parsley. Time saving Tip: Use a food processor.
Add onions and parsley to ground beef in a large bowl.
Add salt and pepper to taste.
Form the mixture into small balls and place five balls onto a skewer. Shape the meat into a cigar shape on the skewer.
Bake at 350 for 45 minutes, or if grilling, grill for 20-25 minutes or until done. Serve over a bed of white rice.
Serving Suggestions:
Kofta is often served on flatbread (without skewers) or pita bread. It is also common to see it served on a hotdog bun.
Image Credit: homemade-recipes.blogspot.com
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[...] Cuisine Focus – Middle Eastern – A Blend Of Many Cultures A blend of many cultures- this is what Middle Eastern cuisine boasts of. From the Persian Empire to the Turks' love for coffee, pastries and dough, one can see how this cuisine successfully combined foreign elements without really . [...]