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Middle Eastern

Sefrou Apricot (Galettes Sucrees)

Call them galettes sucrees, mandelbrot, or biscotti — I love these Moroccan cookies, made by Rosette Toledano of Netanya, who, as her daughter says, "puts her heart in her cooking."

Persian Rice with Golden Crust

Tah-dig is the Persian word for the crunchy layer of rice that forms on the bottom of the pan. We think it tastes fantastic.

Israeli Couscous with Roasted Butternut Squash and Preserved Lemon

A U-shaped peeler with a horizontal blade (available at most supermarkets) makes peeling the squash easier. Here it’s okay to pulse the parsley in a food processor rather than chop it by hand, but pat it dry with paper towels first.

Joojeh Kebab

A take on Persian joojeh kebabs, these grilled saffron yogurt chicken thighs with herby labneh are vibrant, flavorful, and perfect for your next cookout.

Sheet-Pan Pomegranate Chicken With Walnut Relish

This weeknight-friendly chicken dinner—made with pomegranate molasses and a toasted walnut relish—is inspired by the flavors of Persian fesenjan.

Kale and Cheddar Gözleme

The tastiest way to eat a pound of kale.

Kofteh Tabrizi

These meatballs made of beef, rice, and split peas are stuffed with dried fruit and braised in a flavorful tomato sauce—a hearty, satisfying labor of love.

Shirmal

This Iranian bread recipe is fluffy and tender, with saffron (and a pinch of turmeric) providing a vibrant color and subtly sweet, honey-like scent.

Grilled Arayes with Creamy Cucumber Salad

These Middle Eastern meat-stuffed pitas get their earthy, spiced flavor from baharat, a blend typically comprised of cumin, allspice, black pepper, and more.

Lentil Soup With Greens and Rice

Inspired by the flavors of qorma-e-sabzi, an Afghan spinach stew, this simple soup relies on pantry staples and a box of frozen spinach.

Baklava Cookies

A snickerdoodle-like exterior with a surprise filling of honey-sweetened, gently spiced pistachios.

Quick Pita Lahmacun

Store-bought pita stands in for the more traditional lavash base in this version of lahmacun–a popular street food in Syria, Turkey, and elsewhere in the Middle East.

Falafel-Spiced Turkey Burgers

Molly Yeh’s turkey burgers are genuinely juicy, supremely crispy, flavored like falafel, and browned in a skillet for ultimate ease.

No-Skewer-Needed Kebabs With Onion Salad

Tender Turkish Adana-style kebabs are an essential addition to your summer grilling.

Cucumber Sekanjabin Sharbat

Tangy whey, refreshing cucumber, and a sweet-tart sekanjabin syrup made from apple cider vinegar come together to form a seriously drinkable beverage.

Labneh

The hands-off process of straining yogurt overnight yields labneh, a thicker, creamy spread you’ll use in everything from dips to dressings.
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