109 eastern recipes

Lemon cloud dessert with a light baked soufflé top and chilled strawberry-mint compote. An elegant Easter or spring dinner-party dessert with bright citrus and fresh fruit.

Tex-Mex deviled eggs with fresh cilantro, serrano chile, scallions, and shredded cheddar. A southwestern twist on the classic deviled egg with a gentle kick and chili powder dusting.

Gingerbread that's more like a moist cake from Eastern Canada.

Bring a little bit of the Eastern Hemisphere into your household with these pancakes made of mung beans and kim chee.

Crispy fried falafel balls with chickpeas, herbs, and warm spices. Classic Middle Eastern vegetarian patties served in pita with fresh vegetables and tahini sauce.

Refrigerator pickled mushrooms: button caps simmered to firmness then jarred in a sweet-tart vinegar marinade with peppercorns and bay leaves. Eastern European style for canapes, salads, and antipasto.

Silky rose-scented candy squares dusted in powdered sugar, made with cornstarch and cream of tartar. Customize with pistachios, almonds, or fruit flavors for an authentic Middle Eastern sweet.

Don't know where I heard about this sauce, but it's a great drizzle for vegetables.

Old-fashioned prune soup thickened with sour cream and flour for a creamy, sweet-tart base. A traditional Eastern European fruit soup served warm with just five simple ingredients.

Hot borscht inspired by the Russian Tea Room with shredded beets, cabbage, parsnip, and fresh dill. A classic Eastern European beet soup simmered in vegetable stock.

Homemade chickpea falafel patties with cilantro, parsley, scallions, garlic, and cumin. A vegetarian Middle Eastern burger made from scratch with slow-cooker prepped chickpeas.

Fried eggplant and yellow squash drizzled with taratour (Lebanese tahini-lemon sauce), served with pita wedges. A Middle Eastern appetizer with crispy, golden vegetables and creamy sauce.

Sweet and sour cabbage soup: a classic Jewish Eastern European soup simmered low and slow with cabbage, tomatoes, brown sugar, and vinegar. Tangy, warming, and even better on day two.

Middle Eastern halvah cake made with tahini, semolina, and warm spices, soaked in a citrusy orange-lemon syrup. Dense, fragrant, and not overly sweet.

Middle Eastern fried pastries filled with spiced almond-cinnamon filling and dipped in sugar syrup. Crispy finger-shaped cookies that freeze beautifully.

Sauteed eggplant, green peppers, and carrots seasoned with cinnamon, fresh parsley, and dill. A light vegetarian side dish with Middle Eastern flair.