Middle Eastern Recipes

Bellydance Cuisine

photo courtesy of M e l o d y

These Middle Eastern Recipes are made with ingredients that are readily available at the supermarket.

They are full of exotic flavours, so they're perfect for special occasions. They are so simple to make that you might include them in your regular meal plans!

Bellydance cooking turns meal preparation into a dance, and eating into a sensual experience.

Ingredients are highlighted in green to avoid 'listing' them.

Each meal serving has approximately 400 calories. Snacks are about 100 calories. Perfect portions for balanced weight!

Morning Meals

photo courtesy of habitatgirl

Sunshine 'Shimmy-Shake'

Silk road spices of cinnamon, vanilla and cardamom combined with mango and banana turn your breakfast smoothie into a tongue-pleasing sensation!

Into 1 cup yogurt(plain or any flavor), blend 1 banana (fresh/frozen), 1/2 mango (fresh/frozen/canned), capful of vanilla extract, dash of cinnamon and cardamom. For extra health benefits, add a capful of flax oil and a Tbsp of ground psyllium husks.

Breakfast Pita

Pita bread with feta is a staple in many countries of the Middle East. We use cream cheese for the milder flavor, and easy spread-ability. You could substitute the pita for a tortilla, pancake, waffle, crepe, or slice of bread. Serve with a hot, sweetened beverage such as coffee, chai, mint tea, cocoa, or your personal favorite!

Toast a small pita until soft. Spread 1Tbsp cream cheese (or Tofutti for Vegans). Top with 1 tsp crushed nuts (walnut, almond, cashew,etc) and some chopped dried fruit (apricots, dates, prunes or figs).

(for a sweeter flavor, try your favorite jam or marmalade instead of the dried fruit)

Midday Meals

Roll up the desert flavors of hummus, mint and cheese, with this sumptuous middle eastern recipe.

You need a tortilla wrap. Spread with a thin layer of hummus (garbanzo bean spread). Layer 3 spinach leaves (or lettuce), some mint/oregano (fresh preferred) and a sprinkle of feta cheese (or any other strong-flavored variety). For more veggies, add some sliced peppers/olives/tomatoes/cucumber/sprouts/onions. For your protein, make a row of meatballs (lamb, beef, turkey, etc), or falafel (chickpea balls), or deli meat close to one edge.

Roll it up beginning with the edge that has the protein. Make diagonal slices for serving, or eat it 'as is'.

photo courtesy of ulterior epicure

Tabouleh Twist

This full-meal salad is packed with nutrients! It has a light, cleansing feeling in your stomach.

Place 1/4 cup of quinoa in a saucepan with 1/2 cup of water. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 10 minutes.

Finely chop some peppers, celery, onion, basil, mint, parsley, oregano (any other veggies work too) into a bowl. Add 3 ounces of kidney beans, cheese, shrimp or olives for color options.

Dressing: 1 tsp red wine vinegar, 1 tsp lemon juice, 1 Tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp Bragg's or tamari, salt and pepper to taste.

Toss all ingredients together.

Evening Meals

Serve these exotic burgers 'patio-style' with sweet potato fries, leafy salad and minty iced tea. Though the recipe is designed for a single serving, it is recommended you make up the entire package of meat. It is easier, and if you live alone, you will have gourmet leftovers!

photo courtesy of MsAnthea...

Combine 1/4 pound ground meat (camel?!, beef, turkey, lamb, fish, etc) with 1 Tbsp raisins, 1 tsp slivered almonds, a pinch each of salt, pepper, coriander and cumin. Form into a patty, and grill or broil until thoroughly cooked (turn once).

Serve on a toasted sesame bun, topped with a mixture of 1 Tbsp sour cream and chopped fresh mint.

Mediteranian Fish

Middle eastern recipes embrace Greece with garlic, dill and lemon flavours. Topped with Tzadziki (cucumber/yogurt sauce), and served with orzo or rice, this dish is sure to please.

photo courtesy of Seamus Murray

Take 1 fish steak (salmon, swordfish, halibut, etc.). Grill, broil, or fry on both sides just until cooked through.

Cook 1/4 cup orzo pasta or rice according to package directions. Add a handful of crumbled feta cheese, 1 tsp olive oil, and 1 tsp lemon juice, and salt/pepper to taste.

For Tzadziki, finely chop 1 cucumber, and whip it with 1/2 cup yogurt, 1 clove crushed garlic, 1 Tbsp crushed walnuts, and snipped (fresh) dill.

Spoon a scoop of tzadziki onto the fish and serve with the orzo or rice. A tossed salad with greek dressing is also nice. Save the remainder of the tzadziki to garnish other meals.

Chewy Chocolate Bites

Heat gently until combined 1/2 part nut butter (or cow's butter), 1/4 part coconut butter, 1/4 part cocoa butter, and 1 part rice syrup (or honey). Add 1/2 part cocoa powder or carob, and stevia to taste. You may also add flavor enhancers such as vanilla, almond extract, etc.

To this 'syrup', add 4 Tbsp psyllium husks (the hull of flax seeds - health food store), and any combination of dry ingredients to thicken the mixture. I've tried oats, coconut, nuts, seeds, raisins, apricots, chopped ginger, spirulina. The amount you add will determine if you make a 'chocolate', or more of a 'cookie'.

It thickens as it cools.

Once everything is mixed and moistened, pour it into a form pan. With the silicone-type you don't need to grease it, but other kinds benefit from a thin layer of 'butter' or other grease. Place the pan in the refrigerator to cool and harden.

Make into squares for serving.