184 eastren recipes

Garlicky falafel from soaked dried chickpeas, ground with onion, potato, and four cloves of garlic. The traditional Middle Eastern street food technique with a crisp exterior and fluffy interior.

Serve as an appetizer spread on thick slices of country-style white bread, or flat pita bread, or use as a side dish to accompany grilled or roasted meats.

Ukrainian cold fruit soup pureed with apples, pears, cherries, plums, and peaches in cinnamon-lemon broth with sweet wine and cranberry juice. A chilled summer soup bursting with orchard flavors.

Ajvar: smoky Balkan roasted pepper and eggplant spread with garlic, lemon, and olive oil. The 'Serbian caviar' that goes on grilled meats, fresh bread, and cheese boards.

Baked falafel balls loaded with sesame seeds, fresh parsley, and whole wheat flour for nutty flavor and extra fiber, with way less oil than traditional fried versions.

When I have abundant seasonal vegetables, I love making this vegetable casserole, and most of the time I just enjoy it with a loaf of good bread. That is all you need for a good meal.

Grind white pepper, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger into a classic French spice blend that adds warmth and subtle complexity to pâtés, sausages, and slow-braised meats.

Traditional tabbouleh salad with fine bulgur wheat, fresh mint, parsley, lemon juice, and ripe tomatoes. A bright, herby Middle Eastern side dish served cold.

Pickled herring in sour cream with hard-boiled eggs, chopped apple, onion, and fresh dill. A classic Eastern European appetizer served cold on rye bread.

Cardamom-spiced coffee sweetened with condensed milk, in the Middle Eastern and South Asian style. A 4-ingredient brew that turns regular coffee into something exotic.

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

Best veggie burger with bulgur, chickpeas, tahini, and grated zucchini, carrot, and apple. A vegan burger with real texture and Middle Eastern flavor that holds together on the grill.

Classic baba ghanoush with fire-charred eggplant, tahini, lemon juice, and garlic, topped with parsley and olive oil. The traditional Middle Eastern smoky eggplant dip done right.

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.

Hungarian vanilla kifli cookies: tender butter crescents rolled in vanilla sugar, then dipped in semi-sweet chocolate. A traditional Eastern European holiday cookie with a melt-in-the-mouth crumb.

Classic Middle Eastern hummus blended from chickpeas, tahini, garlic, and fresh lemon juice. Smooth, creamy, and ready in 10 minutes for pita, vegetables, or anything that needs a smear.