20 top Middle Eastern foods -- which is the best?
20頂中東食物 - 這是最好的？
Fresh, wholesome, healthy, rich, aromatic -- it's no wonder that the past decade has seen Middle Eastern cuisine's global profile skyrocketing.
While everyone has their favorite dish, we hit up Lebanese-American food blogger Bethany Kehdy of dirtykitchensecrets.com, who a cookbook on Middle Eastern cuisine due out in 2013, for her take.
Her favorite dishes are simple and rustic, such as the m’jadarrah, lentil stew, also known as poor man’s stew, consisting of slow-cooked lentils with a sprinkling of burghul and caramelized onions and served with a side of zesty cabbage salad.
Or Kkshik -- a porridge made from burghul fermented with yogurt and dried in the sun on rooftops over seven days during the fall before being ground into fine powder.
“It’s soul-soothing, wholesome food in a jiffy, although an acquired taste, I’ll admit,” says the power blogger.
So what is your favorite Mideast dish?
Along with Kehdy’s takes, we rounded up 20 of our favorite Middle Eastern dishes to get you started.
Which came first, hummus or pita?
1. Hummus
The big daddy chickpea spread can be slathered on anything from a burger or baked potato to the traditional hot pita bread.
Veteran preference: more garlic, more better.
Where to try it: Abu Shukri, Via Dolorosa near Damascus Gate, Jerusalem, Israel; +972 2 627 1538
2. Manakeesh
The pizza of the Arabic world, manakeesh is a round bread sprinkled with either cheese, ground meat or herbs (zaatar). It's ideal for breakfast or lunch. Varieties come from both fancy Levantine restaurants or street vendors.
Where to try it: Al Hallab, Guarhoud Road, Garhoud, Dubai, United Arab Emirates; +971 4 282 3388
Halloumi: not your typical grilled cheese.
3. Grilled halloumi
These mini-slabs of chewy goodness are made from goat and sheep milk. Unlike other cheeses, no acid or bacteria is used during processing.
Where to try it: Abdel Wahab, El Inglizi Street, Monot, Achrafleh, Beirut, Lebanon; +961 1 200 550
4. Foul meddamas
Made of fava beans, olive oil, parsley, onion, garlic and lemon, this dish doesn't have the most appetizing of presentations -- blobby brown mush is about the best we can say of it. Taste and texture make up for it.
Where to try it: The Pavilion Downtown Dubai Café, Downtown, Dubai, United Arab Emirates; +971 4 447 7025
The genesis of falafel is a fiery topic.
5. Falafel
You may consider fried chickpeas with herbs as simply a great snack. Or tasty pita filler.
For Middle Easterners, however, the origins of falafel are a matter of patriotic interest.
The "New York TImes" has reported how the dish's provenance sparks fierce debates, but we're happy to sit on the sidelines and remain addicted to the taste.
Where to try it: Books@Cafe, First Circle Amman, Jordan; +962 6 465 0457
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6. Tabouleh
You don't have to be a vegetarian to enjoy this magical combination of bulgur, parsley, mint, onion and tomatoes. But watch out, you just might be tempted to switch teams after a steady diet of this popular salad.
Where to try it: Cairo Restaurant, Al-Malek Talal Street, Amman, Jordan; +962 6 462 4527
Baba ghanoush comes in a variety of styles.
7. Moutabal/baba ghanoush
Just when you're ready to declare hummus the best dip on the planet, you find moutabal. Similar to baba ghanoush, the dip offers a similar consistency with an eggplant kick. Spiced up with chili, it delivers a zing.
Where to try it: Zest, One&Only The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, United Arab Emirates; +971 4 440 1010
Fattoush: simple ingredients, magical combination.
8. Fattoush
This tangy salad is one of the Middle East's greatest contributons to world culture. Crispy lettuce, crunchy fried squares of pita, diced tomatoes, cucumbers and onion, garlic, lemon, olive oil and mint make for a refreshing addiction.
Where to try it: Al Halabi, Mall of the Emirates, Barsha, Dubai, United Arab Emirates; +971 4 395 1615
9. Umm Ali
Egyptian bread pudding, or umm ali, is a hearty pastry cooked in milk and cream. Versions are made with croissant pieces, raisins, pistachios, vanilla and condensed milk.
Where to try it: Naguib Mahfouz Restaurant, 5 sikkit el badistan, khan el khalili, Cairo, Egypt; +20 202 590 3788
10. Shanklish
This cow or sheep milk cheese is usually fashioned into golf ball-sized bites and rolled in zaatar herbs or chili flakes (the latter version favored in Syria). Also often enjoyed with diced tomato, onion and olive oil.
Where to try it: Market Place, JW Marriott Dubai, Abu Baker Al Siddique Road, Al Rigga, Dubai, United Arab Emirates; +971 4 607 7009
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Shawarma: One of the prettiest sights in the world.
11. Shawarma
No, shawarma wasn't invented as a hangover cure. But the tender bits of skewered chicken, garlic puree and salad wrapped in pita have made it a beloved post-session snack the world over. One more, please.
Where to try it: Hashipudia, 6 Ha-Shikma Street, Jerusalem, Israel; +972 2 625 4036
Shish tawook: it's all about the marinades and condiments.
12. Shish tawook
Served with pure garlic paste, this simple skewered chicken dish is hugely popular in Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, Iraq and the Gulf region. Dishes are served with fries and pita bread.
Where to try it: Al Falamanki, Damascus Street, Beirut, Lebanon; +961 1 323 456
13. Dolma
Dolma goes horribly wrong when the stuffed vine leaves become flaccid and slimy after being left out in the sun for too long. They need to be fresh with succulent lamb or juicy vegetables.
Where to try it: Asitane Restaurant, Kariye Camii Sokak 6, EdirnekapI, Istanbul, Turkey; +90 212 534 8414
Kofta: don't let looks deceive you.
14. Kofta
Common in Iran and Pakistan, these balls of minced lamb or beef have a spicy, onion kick.
You can fry, grill, barbecue or bake the patties, but they’re best served with a distinctive spicy sauce. In the Arab region, you'll find them in cylinder shapes, often on a stick.
Where to try it: Gulf Pomegranate Iranian Restaurant, Al Ansab Road next to Al Agbiya Mosque, Muaskar Al Murtafa'a, Oman; +968 9 223 6697
15. Quwarmah Al Dajaj
Curry veterans, this may be a new one for you.
Known to most as Kuwaiti curried chicken, the zesty dish is made with a blend of Middle Eastern flavors and spices -- lime, ginger, turmeric, baharat, cumin, cardamom, black pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg, paprika -- that combine to give it a disinctive pop.
Where to try it: Mais Alghanim, Gulf Road, Kuwait, +965 2 225 1155
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Mansaf may not be the most photogenic of foods but there's a reason it's practically the national dish of Jordan.
16. Mansaf
The small version of this Jordanian and Palestinian dish looks like a pizza covered with a lamb carcass, while a larger banquet variety can cover a whole table.
Despite the intimidating appearance, the tender mutton, covered in yogurt sauce and sprinkled with almond and pine nuts, makes for a culinary masterwork.
Where to try it: Jabri Restaurant, Wasfi Al-Tal Street, Amman, Jordan; +962 6 5681700
17. Kebab karaz
Otherwise known as cherry kebab or desert candy, this Syrian dish offers a new slant on the famed meat stick. Kebab karaz adds sour cherries and pomegranate pips, rendering the meaty mix blood red, sweet and sour.
Where to try it: Al-Mayas, Al-Bedea, Kuwait City, Kuwait; +965 5 738 089
Baklava: sickly sweet.
18. Baklava
Buttery filo pastry, chopped nuts, sweet syrup and honey dressing -- made from a recipe that dates to the Ottoman empire, it's no wonder baklava is one of the most enduring and beloved dishes on the planet.
Where to try it: Rihtim Cad, Kati Otopark Alti, 3-4 Karakoy, Istanbul; +90 212 293 0910
Knafeh: savory cheese flavor, crunchy pastry crust.
20頂中東食物 - 這是最好的？
新鮮，衛生，健康，豐富，芳香 - 這也難怪，在過去十年裡，中東美食的全球知名度暴漲。
雖然每個人都有自己喜歡的菜，我們打了黎巴嫩裔的食物博客伯大尼Kehdydirtykitchensecrets.com，誰在中東美食菜譜，由於在2013年，她服食。
她最愛吃的菜是簡單和質樸，如m'jadarrah，紅豆湯，也被稱為窮人的燉，包括慢煮扁豆burghul和焦糖洋蔥灑，並與燦爛捲心菜沙拉邊服務。
或Kkshik - 從burghul被磨成細粉之前在秋季發酵酸奶和在太陽下曬乾屋頂上七天以上做了粥。
“這是靈魂的撫慰，有益健康的食品，在一個瞬間，但後天的味道，我承認，說：”權力的博客。
那麼，什麼是你最喜歡的中東菜？
隨著Kehdy的需要，我們繞過了我們最喜歡的中東菜餚20讓你開始。
裡面傳來第一，豆沙或皮塔？
1，鷹嘴豆泥
大爸爸鷹嘴豆傳播可以厚厚地塗在從漢堡或烤土豆什麼傳統的熱皮塔餅。
退伍軍人優先：更多的大蒜，越多越好。
哪裡來試試吧： 阿布舒克里，通過苦難之路附近的大馬士革門，耶路撒冷，以色列; +972 2 627 1538
2。Manakeesh
阿拉伯世界的比薩，manakeesh是一個圓麵包灑上芝士兩種，絞肉或草藥（zaatar）。它是理想的早餐或午餐。品種來自兩個花哨的黎凡特的餐館或者路邊攤。
哪裡來試試吧： 鋁Hallab，Guarhoud路，加爾胡德，迪拜，阿拉伯聯合酋長國; +971 4 282 3388
Halloumi：不是典型的烤奶酪。
3，烤halloumi
這些迷你板耐嚼的善良是從山羊和綿羊奶製成。不像其他的乾酪，無酸或細菌在加工過程中使用。
哪裡來試試吧： 阿卜杜勒·瓦哈卜，薩爾瓦多Inglizi街的Monot，Achrafleh，貝魯特，黎巴嫩; +961 1 200 550
4，犯規meddamas
做蠶豆，橄欖油，香菜，洋蔥，大蒜，檸檬，這個菜沒有最開胃的演講 - 滴狀褐色蘑菇大約是我們能說的是最好的。味道和口感彌補它。
哪裡來試試吧： 聖廷苑迪拜市中心咖啡廳，市區，迪拜，阿拉伯聯合酋長國; +971 4 447 7025
沙拉三明治的起源是一個火熱的話題。
5，沙拉三明治
你可以考慮炸鷹嘴豆用草藥作為一個簡單的偉大的小吃。或美味皮塔填料。
對於中東人，但是，沙拉三明治的起源是愛國利益的事情。
“紐約時報”曾報導怎麼菜的出處火花激烈的辯論，但我們很高興地坐在場邊，仍然沉迷的味道。
哪裡來試試吧： 圖書@咖啡館，第一圈安曼，約旦; +962 6 465 0457
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6。Tabouleh
你不必成為一個素食主義者，享受這片神奇的小麥片，香菜，薄荷，洋蔥和西紅柿的組合。但要小心，你就可能受到誘惑，都不斷吃這種流行的沙拉後切換隊伍。
哪裡來試試吧： 開羅餐廳，鋁馬利克·塔拉勒街，安曼，約旦; +962 6 462 4527
巴巴ghanoush採用的是各種不同的風格。
7。Moutabal /巴巴ghanoush
只是當你準備申報豆沙這個星球上最好的浸，你會發現moutabal。類似巴巴ghanoush，浸提供與茄子踢了類似的一致性。五香辣椒，它提供了一個尖嘯聲。
哪裡來試試吧： 激爽，一＆Only The Palm酒店，棕櫚島，迪拜，阿拉伯聯合酋長國; +971 4 440 1010
Fattoush：簡單的成分，神奇的組合。
8。Fattoush
這濃郁的色拉是中東最大的contributons世界文化之一。脆皮生菜，皮塔餅，西紅柿切塊，黃瓜，洋蔥，大蒜，檸檬，橄欖油和薄荷炸得脆脆的正方形為一個清爽的癮。
哪裡來試試吧： 阿爾哈拉比，阿聯酋購物中心，Barsha酒店，迪拜，阿拉伯聯合酋長國; +971 4 395 1615
9。烏姆·阿里
埃及的麵包布丁，或烏姆·阿里，是一個豐盛的糕點熟食牛奶和奶油。版本都是用羊角麵包片，葡萄乾，開心果，香草和煉乳。
哪裡來試試吧： 納吉布福茲餐廳，5 sikkit EL多菌靈，埃爾汗哈利利，埃及開羅; +20 202 590 3788
10。Shanklish
這頭牛或羊奶粉奶酪通常塑造成高爾夫球大小的叮咬和軋製zaatar草本或辣椒片（贊成在敘利亞的後期版）。還經常喜歡和切塊番茄，洋蔥和橄欖油。
哪裡來試試吧： 市場廣場，JW萬豪酒店迪拜，阿布·貝克鋁西迪基路的Al Rigga，杜拜，阿拉伯聯合大公國; +971 4 607 7009
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日Shawarma：其中一個最漂亮的景點，在世界上。
11日Shawarma
不，的shawarma不是發明的解酒治愈。但是，串燒雞肉，大蒜醬和沙拉包裹在皮塔招標位已成為一個心愛的會後休閒的世界各地。請再來一杯。
哪裡來試試吧： Hashipudia，哈Shikma街6號，耶路撒冷，以色列; +972 2 625 4036
烤羊tawook：它的所有有關的滷汁和調味品。
12，烤羊tawook
服務與純蒜泥，這個簡單的串燒雞菜是非常受歡迎的黎巴嫩，敘利亞，埃及，伊拉克和海灣地區。菜餚與薯條和皮塔餅。
哪裡來試試吧： 鋁Falamanki，大馬士革街，貝魯特，黎巴嫩; +961 1 323 456
13。卓瑪
卓瑪去可怕的錯誤時，釀葡萄葉變得鬆弛和粘糊糊的被冷落在陽光下太久。他們需要的是新鮮與羊肉肉質多汁或蔬菜。
哪裡來試試吧： Asitane餐廳，卡利耶Camii SOKAK 6，EdirnekapI，伊斯坦布爾，土耳其; +90 212 534 8414
Kofta：不要讓外表欺騙了你。
14。Kofta
常見於伊朗和巴基斯坦，碎羊肉或牛肉的這些球有辣，洋蔥球。
你可以炒，烤，燒烤或烘餅，但他們具有鮮明的辣醬油最好的服務。在阿拉伯地區，你會發現他們在圓筒的形狀，往往一棒。
哪裡來試試吧： 海灣石榴伊朗餐廳，鋁安薩卜路旁邊的Al Agbiya清真寺，Muaskar鋁Murtafa'a，阿曼; +968 9 223 6697
15。Quwarmah鋁Dajaj
咖哩老兵，這可能是一個新的給你。
已知最科威特的咖哩雞，在燦爛的菜是用一個融合了中東口味和香料 - 石灰，姜，薑黃，baharat，小茴香，荳蔻，黑胡椒，肉桂，肉荳蔻，辣椒 - 結合給它disinctive流行。
哪裡來試試吧： MAIS Alghanim，海灣路，科威特，+965 2 225 1155
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Mansaf未必是最上鏡的食物，但有一個原因，它是幾乎約旦的國菜。
16。Mansaf
小版本的約旦和巴勒斯坦的菜看起來像佈滿了羔羊胴體比薩餅，而較大的宴會各種各樣能覆蓋整個表。
儘管外表嚇人，招標羊肉，覆蓋酸奶醬及灑上杏仁及松子，使得烹飪傑作。
哪裡來試試吧： Jabri餐廳，Wasfi鋁塔爾街，安曼，約旦;+962 6 5681700
17，羊肉串karaz
否則，被稱為櫻桃烤肉或沙漠的糖果，這菜敘利亞提供在著名的肉棒一個新的傾斜。烤肉串karaz增加了酸櫻桃和石榴點子，渲染肉香混合血紅色，酸甜可口。
哪裡來試試吧：鋁瑪雅人，鋁Bedea，科威特城，科威特; 965 5 738 089
果仁蜜餅：怪異的甜味。
18。巴卡拉
奶油酥皮，碎果仁，甜糖漿和蜂蜜醬 - 從配方可以追溯到奧斯曼帝國做，這也難怪果仁蜜餅是這個星球上最持久的和心愛的菜餚之一。
哪裡來試試吧： Rihtim鎘，卡蒂Otopark ALTI，3-4的Karaköy，伊斯坦布爾; +90 212 293 0910
Knafeh：香香的芝士味，脆脆的餅皮。
19。Knafeh
這美味的芝士蛋糕採用Nabusi奶酪，這是常見的巴勒斯坦，敘利亞和黎巴嫩。腮紅的著色來自橙花水或玫瑰水。
哪裡來試試吧： Habibah，鋁馬利克·侯賽因街，安曼，約旦
20。伊拉克masgouf
記住鯉你過的最好的作品呢？沒有？
你會如果它一直這樣鯉魚，這是慢熟長達三小時，直到脂肪已被燃燒掉，然後用檸檬和鹹菜服務。
哪裡來試試吧：鋁Adhamiyah伊拉克餐廳，鋁Asmakh StreetJasra，多哈; +974 4432 4326
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19. Knafeh
This delicious cheesecake uses Nabusi cheese, which is common to Palestine, Syria and Lebanon. The blush coloring comes from orange blossom water or rose water.
Where to try it: Habibah, Al Malek al Hussein Street, Amman, Jordan
20. Iraqi masgouf
Remember the best piece of carp you ever had? No?
You would if it had been this carp, which is slow-cooked for up to three hours until the fat has been burned off, then served with lemon and pickles.
Where to try it: Al Adhamiyah Iraqi Restaurant, Al Asmakh StreetJasra, Doha; +974 4432 4326
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What is your favorite Middle Eastern dish? Let us know in the comments below.
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