Here are the most popular Middle Eastern dishes that represent the Levantine culture and will definitely impress all the foodies out there.
Hummus
![Hummus - Wikipedia]()
Hummus is a chickpea spread that can be slathered on anything from a burger or baked potato to the traditional hot pita bread.
Manakeesh
![Manakeesh - Simply Lebanese]()
There is pizza for the Italians and Manakeesh for the Arab world as it is 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.
Grilled Halloumi
![Grilled Halloumi with Rosemary-Grape-Walnut Relish and Garlic Bread - Recipe - FineCooking]()
Not only they are amazing as they are but actually taste even better when grilled, unlike other cheeses, no acid or bacteria is used during processing.
Foul Meddamas
![Ful medames (fava bean and chickpea stew)]()
This dish is heaven on a plate as it is 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.
Tabouleh
![Recipe for How to Make Tabouleh (Wheat and Herb Salad)]()
It is not only healthy but it is also for all meaning whether your father is a vegetarian or not everyone enjoys a nice plate of Tabouleh. It is a magical combination of bulgur, parsley, mint, onion, and tomatoes.
Moutabal
![Moutabal recipe - Great British Chefs]()
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.
Umm Ali
![Umm Ali - Caroline's Cooking]()
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.
Dolma
![Authentic Dolma Recipe (Stuffed Grape Leaves) • Unicorns in the Kitchen]()
This dish is almost everyone's favorite as it is Grape leaves are filled with a mixture of rice, onions, currants, pine nuts, mint, and spices, and then gently steamed.
Kofta
![Lamb Kofta Kebabs]()
They are balls of minced lamb or beef that have a spicy, onion kick. You can fry, grill, barbecue or bake the patties, but they're best served with a distinctive spicy sauce.
Knafeh
![Sweet cheese pastry | Knafeh | Lebanese recipes | SBS Food]()
And after you are done with food, then nothing is better than dessert with this delicious cheesecake that uses Nabusi cheese, which is common to Palestine, Syria, and Lebanon. The blush coloring comes from orange blossom water or rose water.
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