Middle Eastern cuisine combines simple ingredients such as grains and hearty proteins with earthy aromatics and spices to create flavourful meals. Hospitality is at the heart of Middle Eastern cuisine with dishes being generous and social, often involving sharing food with your close friends and family. Mix it up in the kitchen and try out the below delicious Middle Eastern recipes to make your mouth water. 

Middle Eastern Carrot Salad

Get your taste buds singing with this zesty and punchy carrot salad. 

Ingredients you’ll need:

• Cumin seeds
• 2 cloves of garlic
• Olive oil
• Lemon juice
• 3 carrots
• Salt and pepper
• Fresh coriander leaves
• Small handful of roasted pepitas 

Step 1.

Roast cumin seeds and crush in a mortar and pestle with garlic and salt. Thin with olive oil and lemon juice and toss through cooked sliced carrot. Season with salt and pepper and add plenty of freshly chopped coriander leaves.

Step 2. 

To serve, scatter roasted pepitas, hulled pumpkin seeds over the salad.

Middle Eastern Baked Chicken

Transport yourself to the Middle East with this hearty and delicious chicken dish. 

Ingredients you’ll need:

• 1.6 kg chicken
• 1/2 cup instant couscous
• 4 pitted dates, chopped
• 4 dried apricots, chopped
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 20 g butter
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1-2 garlic cloves, chopped
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley
• 1/4 teaspoon cracked black pepper
• Sea salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin

Step 1.

Prepare a kettle barbecue for indirect cooking at medium heat. Place a drip tray underneath the top grill.

Step 2.

Remove the giblets and any fat from the chicken. Wipe the chicken with paper towels. Pour 1/2 cup boiling water over the couscous and leave to soak for 15 minutes. Soak the dates and apricots in the lime juice and set aside.

Step 3. 

Heat the butter and half the oil in a saucepan and cook the onion and garlic for 3-4 minutes, or until translucent. Remove from the heat and add the couscous, dates, apricots, coriander, parsley and some salt and pepper. Mix well. Spoon into the chicken cavity and close with a skewer. Tie the legs together with string and tuck the wing tips under.

Step 4.

Rub the chicken with the combined salt, cracked black pepper, cumin and remaining oil. Place the chicken in the centre of a large piece of greased foil. Wrap the chicken securely. Place on the barbecue over the drip tray. Cover the barbecue and cook for 50 minutes. Open the foil, crimping the edges to form a tray. Cook for 20 minutes, or until the chicken is tender and golden. Stand for 5-6 minutes before carving. Serve with the stuffing.

Middle Eastern Flatbread

This flatbread recipe requires a bit of work, but trust us- it is worth every step! 

Ingredients you’ll need:

• 1 tsp dry yeast
• 1 tbsp caster sugar
• 1 tbsp salt
• 1 1/2 cups warm water (at 45°C)
• 4 cups plain flour
• 1/2 cup Greek yoghurt

Step 1.

Dissolve the yeast, sugar and salt in the warm water.

Step 2.

Put the flour into a large bowl and make a well. Add the yoghurt and warm water mixture. Mix well until the dough is soft but not sticky.

Step 3. 

Turn the dough onto a lightly floured bench and roll it into a large round. Cover with a damp cloth, place somewhere at room temperature and leave to rise for 3 hours.

Step 4.

Cut the dough into 4 and roll each piece into a round. Flatten each piece with a rolling pin to about 1cm thick.

Step 5.

Cover again with a damp cloth and rest the dough for 20 minutes.

Step 6.

Heat a cast-iron fry pan or grill over a medium-high heat.

Step 7. 

Cook one piece of dough at a time, until browned, about 1 minute.

Step 8. 

Turn and cook for a further minute, then remove and wrap in a clean dry tea towel to keep warm while you cook the rest.

Step 9. 

Serve immediately and enjoy! 

Try cooking all these recipes together to create the ultimate Middle Eastern feast! 

Create these delicious recipes and more with the help of Hillview Farms. Hillview Farms is dedicated to providing high-quality, fresh produce that is chem-free and locally sourced. Our door-to-door delivery ensures our produce goes direct from farm to table. 

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Recipes from Good Food