Delicious, nutritious Middle Eastern recipes to try at home

·Stacker

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Middle Eastern food is among the healthiest cuisines in the world for its heavy inclusion of whole grains, lean proteins, healthy fats, and of course a wide variety of vegetables into the vast majority of dishes. 

Stacker compiled a list of Middle Eastern recipes from Allrecipes. Among the key elements to  these dishes are aromatic spices, nutrient-dense herbs like turmeric and cumin, and widespread use of seeds in recipes. Many of the spices and seeds can be found online if not at local grocers or health-food stores. Most other ingredients are readily available at your local farmer's market or supermarket.  

Keep reading to discover some of the best dishes hailing from countries as diverse as Armenia, Turkey, Iran, and Georgia.

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Chakchouka (Shakshouka)

- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 20 mins
- Total: 40 mins
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 servings
- Number of ingredients: 10
- Read more about the recipe here

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Hamusta Soup

- Prep: 30 mins
- Cook: 20 mins
- Total: 50 mins
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 10
- Read more about the recipe here

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Easy Lamb Shawarma

- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 20 mins
- Additional: 6 hrs
- Total: 6 hrs 40 mins
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 sandwiches
- Number of ingredients: 15
- Read more about the recipe here

6 / 50

Thick-Style Lebanese Garlic Sauce

- Prep: 15 mins
- Total: 15 mins
- Servings: 32
- Yield: 1 quart
- Number of ingredients: 5
- Read more about the recipe here

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Lavosh

- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 1 hr
- Total: 1 hr 15 mins
- Servings: 10
- Yield: 10 loaves
- Number of ingredients: 8
- Read more about the recipe here

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Keftedes - Greek Meatballs

- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 30 mins
- Total: 50 mins
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 14
- Read more about the recipe here

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Fereni Starch Pudding

- Prep: 10 mins
- Cook: 10 mins
- Total: 20 mins
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 7
- Read more about the recipe here

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Kanafa

- Prep: 25 mins
- Cook: 35 mins
- Total: 60 mins
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 1 9x13-inch pan
- Number of ingredients: 9
- Read more about the recipe here

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Pita Chips

- Prep: 10 mins
- Cook: 7 mins
- Total: 17 mins
- Servings: 24
- Yield: 8 dozen
- Number of ingredients: 6
- Read more about the recipe here

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Sean's Falafel and Cucumber Sauce

- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 10 mins
- Additional: 30 mins
- Total: 60 mins
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 servings
- Number of ingredients: 22
- Read more about the recipe here

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Turkish Red Lentil 'Bride' Soup

- Prep: 10 mins
- Cook: 1 hr 15 mins
- Total: 1 hr 25 mins
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 servings
- Number of ingredients: 11
- Read more about the recipe here

16 / 50

Turkish Eggs (Cilbir)

- Prep: 25 mins
- Cook: 10 mins
- Total: 35 mins
- Servings: 2
- Yield: 4 eggs
- Number of ingredients: 17
- Read more about the recipe here

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Chicken Shawarma Marinade

- Prep: 10 mins
- Additional: 4 hrs
- Total: 4 hrs 10 mins
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 servings
- Number of ingredients: 9
- Read more about the recipe here

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Shawarma Marinade for Chicken

- Prep: 10 mins
- Total: 10 mins
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 11
- Read more about the recipe here

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Kofta Kebabs

- Prep: 45 mins
- Cook: 5 mins
- Additional: 30 mins
- Total: 80 mins
- Servings: 28
- Yield: 28 skewers
- Number of ingredients: 13
- Read more about the recipe here

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Persian Rice

- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 55 mins
- Total: 70 mins
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 11
- Read more about the recipe here

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Easy Baklava

- Prep: 30 mins
- Cook: 50 mins
- Additional: 40 mins
- Total: 120 mins
- Servings: 36
- Yield: 1 9x13 inch dish
- Number of ingredients: 9
- Read more about the recipe here

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Afghani Kabli Pulao

- Prep: 25 mins
- Cook: 42 mins
- Additional: 32 mins
- Total: 99 mins
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 19
- Read more about the recipe here

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Shish Tawook Grilled Chicken

- Prep: 30 mins
- Cook: 10 mins
- Additional: 4 hrs
- Total: 4 hrs 40 mins
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 kabobs
- Number of ingredients: 15
- Read more about the recipe here

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Lebanese Mountain Bread

- Prep: 20 mins
- Additional: 9 hrs 18 mins
- Total: 9 hrs 38 mins
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 portions
- Number of ingredients: 7
- Read more about the recipe here

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Homemade Manti (Traditional Turkish Dumplings)

- Prep: 35 mins
- Cook: 25 mins
- Additional: 30 mins
- Total: 90 mins
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 servings
- Number of ingredients: 11
- Read more about the recipe here

28 / 50

Shakshuka (Middle Eastern Breakfast Dish)

- Prep: 10 mins
- Cook: 25 mins
- Total: 35 mins
- Servings: 2
- Yield: 2 servings
- Number of ingredients: 8
- Read more about the recipe here

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No Fail Bean Pie

- Prep: 30 mins
- Cook: 50 mins
- Additional: 1 hr
- Total: 1 hr 80 mins
- Servings: 12
- Yield: 1 9-inch pie
- Number of ingredients: 11
- Read more about the recipe here

32 / 50

Chicken Curry and Potatoes

- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 40 mins
- Total: 60 mins
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 9
- Read more about the recipe here

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Arabic Fattoush Salad

- Prep: 25 mins
- Cook: 5 mins
- Total: 30 mins
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 servings
- Number of ingredients: 13
- Read more about the recipe here

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Baba Ghanoush

- Prep: 5 mins
- Cook: 40 mins
- Additional: 3 hrs
- Total: 3 hrs 45 mins
- Servings: 12
- Yield: 1 1/2 cups
- Number of ingredients: 7
- Read more about the recipe here

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Kanafa

- Prep: 25 mins
- Cook: 35 mins
- Total: 60 mins
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 1 9x13-inch pan
- Number of ingredients: 9
- Read more about the recipe here

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Al Kabsa - Traditional Saudi Rice and Chicken

- Prep: 40 mins
- Cook: 1 hr 30 mins
- Total: 1 hr 70 mins
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 23
- Read more about the recipe here

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Turkish Red Lentil Soup with Mint

- Prep: 15 mins
- Cook: 45 mins
- Total: 60 mins
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 13
- Read more about the recipe here

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Chef John's Harissa Sauce

- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 15 mins
- Additional: 10 mins
- Total: 45 mins
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 12
- Read more about the recipe here

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Khachapuri (Georgian Cheese Bread)

- Prep: 30 mins
- Cook: 20 mins
- Additional: 1 hr 5 mins
- Total: 1 hr 55 mins
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 2 khachapuri
- Number of ingredients: 14
- Read more about the recipe here

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Zhug Chicken

- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 45 mins
- Additional: 1 hr 30 mins
- Total: 1 hr 95 mins
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 servings
- Number of ingredients: 8
- Read more about the recipe here

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Chef John's Falafel

- Prep: 20 mins
- Cook: 10 mins
- Additional: 12 hrs
- Total: 12 hrs 30 mins
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 12
- Read more about the recipe here

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Chef John's Baba Ghanoush

- Prep: 30 mins
- Cook: 15 mins
- Additional: 3 hrs 20 mins
- Total: 3 hrs 65 mins
- Servings: 12
- Yield: 6 cups
- Number of ingredients: 10
- Read more about the recipe here

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Chicken Shawarma Salad

- Prep: 10 mins
- Cook: 35 mins
- Additional: 4 hrs 10 mins
- Total: 4 hrs 55 mins
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 salads
- Number of ingredients: 18
- Read more about the recipe here