14 egyptian recipes

Spiced chocolate layer cake with coffee, cinnamon, and cloves, frosted with cinnamon whipped cream. A rich, warmly spiced twist on classic chocolate cake.

Egyptian lentils (koshari) with rice and elbow macaroni topped with spicy tomato-vinegar sauce and crispy caramelized onions. A hearty vegan comfort dish.

Quick one-pot ground beef and rice dish with mushrooms, soy sauce, and beef consommé. This easy weeknight dinner cooks in 15 minutes and gets topped with sour cream and toasted almonds.

Ful medames is a traditional Egyptian stewed fava bean dish simmered with red lentils, cumin, lemon juice, and olive oil. Hearty, vegan, and high in protein.

Traditional Egyptian green soup made with milookhiyya leaves (or spinach), garlic, and coriander in rich stock. This silky, earthy bowl is comfort food at its finest, served with rice and chicken.

Egyptian Molokhia (Milookhiyya) soup with jute mallow leaves, garlic, and ground coriander in a tomato-spiked broth. Traditionally served over rice with chicken or game.

A popular Egyptian soup, Ful Nabed is simple and nutritious.

You don’t have to miss out on a family favourite with this gluten-free option. Mushrooms are filled with goodness from important minerals like Potassium (which aids the function of nerves and muscles – including the heart) and Selenium (which protects the body’s cells) to many B vitamins (which are important for the nervous system). Ancient Egyptians believed they were the plant of immortality according to hieroglyphics – they banned commoners from eating them so that royalty could have an abundant supply. Enjoy this meal, you are in good company.

Whether you know this unleavened bread as Matzo, Matza or Matzah, this delicious, homemade, cracker-like alternative to bread is a welcome change. The pickled lettuce creates a light pleasant contrast and studies show that vinegar can help diabetes by keeping blood sugar levels stable. Matzo’s history is an integral part of the Jewish culture; when Jewish people were enslaved by Egypt’s Pharaoh, God sent 10 plagues to punish the Egyptians until finally they agreed to free Moses and his people. The Jews had to leave their homes in haste because the Pharaoh changed his mind, consequently they didn’t have time to prepare the bread properly and had to bake the mixture of flour and water which resulted in a hard flat bread; Matza was a happy mistake. Jewish people remember the Exodus by not eating any products made with Yeast etc for one week at Passover, but Matzo is also enjoyed by many cultures throughout the year.

Basbousa bil loz (Egyptian almond basbousa) cooks toasted semolina and almonds with butter, then thickens with lemon-scented sugar syrup. A stovetop Middle Eastern dessert.

Egyptian koushari layers brown lentils, elbow macaroni, and fried rice tossed with tomato puree and crispy ta'leya onions. Egypt's beloved street food, vegetarian and filling.

Creamy Egyptian red lentil soup flavored with cumin, garlic, and caramelized onions. This velvety, protein-rich bowl gets finished with olive oil and lemon for a satisfying vegetarian meal.

Egyptian-style falafel (ta'ameya) with dried fava beans, parsley, garlic, cumin, and coriander, ground twice for the right crispy-yet-tender texture. The original falafel before chickpeas took over.

Tameya is Egyptian falafel made from dried broad beans instead of chickpeas, ground with fresh herbs, garlic, and spices, coated in sesame seeds and fried to a deep golden crunch.