The Middle East is famous not only for its magnificent architecture, inspired by many different religions and cultures, and the sand dunes that are constantly shifting with the wind, but also for its rich cuisine. Middle Eastern cuisine is recognized worldwide for its incredible flavors, combining a range of flavors and spices that complement each other in a unique way. Since the Middle East is a place with a mixture of cultures, religions and traditions, it is also possible to observe this diversity in its cuisine. In this article, it is aimed to take the reader on a journey in Middle Eastern cuisine. The most popular and widely recognized Middle Eastern dishes and recipes are presented. Get ready to learn all about the top three Middle Eastern dishes. Read on for the histories, ingredients, and recipes of falafel, hummus, and pita bread.
Top 3 Middle Eastern Cuisine: 1. Falafel
Falafel, which means small round ball, dates back centuries in terms of its first production. It began to be consumed by the Copts, natives of Egypt. Since they did not consume animal food during their 40-day fast, falafel, which is very rich in protein and satiation, was the food most consumed by Egyptians. When it was first made, chickpea was not the main ingredient, but over time, the recipe changed and dried broad beans were replaced by chickpeas. Although chickpeas are used in many European countries, it is still made with dried broad beans in Egypt.
Although falafel is considered as a main dish in Middle Eastern countries, it is seen as an appetizer in many countries around the world.
How To Make Falafel Like A Pro
Ingredients
- 250 g chickpeas (about 2 cups)
- 2 small onions
- 3 small cloves of garlic
- baking powder (one teaspoon)
- 5-6 sprigs of parsley (optional)
- spring onions (3-4 pieces)
- 1 teaspoon of cumin
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1 teaspoon of black pepper
- 1 teaspoon ground red pepper
- flour (2 tablespoons)
Firstly, soak the chickpeas in water overnight. At the same time, put a tablespoon of salt into the water you have been waiting for. After waiting all night, wash the chickpeas thoroughly and put them in the robot. (There is a point to note here. Do not boil the chickpeas, because your chickpeas may become mushy during the robot process.) Then, add the chopped onion and garlic to the robot and run the robot a few times.
After the ingredients are well mixed, add the spring onions and parsley and start the robot again. While doing these operations, be sure to mix the mixture thoroughly with the help of a spatula. Then, run the robot a few more times, put all the dry ingredients except flour and mix again. (When doing this part, keep the robot setting low and do not run it for a long time. Otherwise, its consistency will be watery.) After that, take the mixture into a deep kneading bowl and add the flour and knead well. Keep the prepared mixture in the refrigerator for 2-3 hours.
Make small balls the size of walnuts from the mixture you took out of the cupboard. Put plenty of oil in a deep pan and heat the oil well. Finally, when the oil is ready, fry the balls.
Top 3 Middle Eastern Cuisine: 2. Hummus
Hummus, which comes out with the combination of tahini, chickpeas and garlic and leaves a distinctive taste on the palate with its unique flavor, can be used as an appetizer or as a sauce. The trick is: the more garlic, the better!
To date, many countries have tried to glom on to humus. But there is not much data to present as evidence. The ingredients of hummus have been used for centuries. Chickpea has been known in Turkey for 10 thousand years and is one of the first legumes to be planted. Tahini made from sesame is mentioned in 13th century Arabian recipes. There are also those who say that hummus is a Jewish dish and that hummus is mentioned in the Torah dating back 3500 years.
With The Love Of Chickpeas: Hummus Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups chickpeas (250 g)
- 1 teaspoon of baking soda (optional)
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 1/2 cup of tahini (90-100 ml)
- 1/2 teaspoon of olive oil
- 1 teaspoon of cumin
- 1.5 teaspoons of salt
- 2 lemons
- 1 teaspoon of grounded red pepper
- 1 tablespoon of chickpeas
Firstly, soak the chickpeas overnight or at least 4-5 hours beforehand. Then, add 1 teaspoon of baking soda to the water to facilitate digestion and to cook more easily. The next day, drain the water and rinse again. After that, put the chickpeas in the pot, add water and leave to cook. It will cook for 45 minutes in a normal steel pot. Once the chickpeas have softened, remove them from the heat. Set aside 1-2 tablespoons to serve on the top of the hummus.
Meanwhile, put the tahini, olive oil, cumin and salt in a bowl. Then, add the juice of the lemons as well. Finally, finely chop the garlic, add them and mix well. After boiling, drain the chickpeas and grind them with the tahini mixture you prepared in the food processor until they get a smooth consistency. If the food processor is struggling, add olive oil or water little by little to reach the desired consistency. Then, take it on a serving plate and draw a circle in the middle with a spoon. Sprinkle 1-2 tablespoons of chickpeas that you have set aside. Finally, drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with grounded pepper. Optionally, you can decorate with different spices and greens.
Top 3 Middle Eastern Cuisine: 3. Pita Bread
Pita or pitta is also known as Arabic bread, Lebanese bread, or Syrian bread. It is also one of the indispensable foods of Hindu food culture. This bread, which is used for kebab service in some kebab shops in Turkey, is called gobit. Pita bread is a staple in the Middle Eastern diet. It is served with almost every meal. Hot or toasted pita bread is the most versatile food in Middle Eastern cuisine.
Bread That Inflates Like a Balloon: Easy Pita Bread Recipe
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups of warm water
- 1 cup of yogurt
- 1 packet of dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1 teaspoon of sugar
- flour (as much as it needs)
Firstly, mix all the ingredients for the dough and knead well. Let it sit for forty minutes. It will be a sticky dough, try to use a lot of flour. Then,roll out the rested dough in the size of a bowl with your hands or with a rolling pin. After that, bake it in a preheated 200 degree oven until it gets golden brown. While it is hot, spread butter on it and wrap it in a clean table cloth and let it rest for ten minutes. Bon Appetit!
References:
- Ari, Ariel. (2012). The Hummus Wars. Gastronomica, 12(1), 34–42. https://doi.org/10.1525/gfc.2012.12.1.34
- Raviv, Y. (2003) Falafel: A National Icon. Gastronomica: The Journal of Critical Food Studies, 3, 20-25. https://doi.org/10.1525/gfc.2003.3.3.20
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