Delicious Middle Eastern Recipes for Quick Meals
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Lebanese Style Wrap
- Ingredients for Lebanese Style Wrap
- Steps to Make a Lebanese Style Wrap
- Pros of Lebanese Style Wrap
- Cons of Lebanese Style Wrap
- Fava Beans Dish
- Ingredients for Fava Beans Dish
- Steps to Make Fava Beans Dish
- Pros of Fava Beans Dish
- Cons of Fava Beans Dish
- Express Chicken Shawarma
- Ingredients for Express Chicken Shawarma
- Steps to Make Express Chicken Shawarma
- Pros of Express Chicken Shawarma
- Cons of Express Chicken Shawarma
- Conclusion
Article
Delicious Middle Eastern Meals for Busy Individuals
If You're too busy to cook a elaborate meal, don't worry! In this article, I will share with you three delicious Middle Eastern dishes that are not only quick to make but also packed with nutrition and flavor. These meals are perfect for those hectic weeknights when you have limited time to spend in the kitchen. Let's dive in and explore these mouthwatering recipes.
Lebanese Style Wrap
One of my go-to dishes when I'm short on time is a Lebanese style wrap. This wrap is like a fresh salad wrapped in bread and can be customized according to your taste preferences. Here's how you can make it:
Ingredients for Lebanese Style Wrap
- Thin Lebanese pita bread or any other thin flatbread
- Labneh (strained yogurt) or cream cheese
- Za'atar (a spice Blend with thyme and sumac)
- Salad vegetables like cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, and mint
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper
Steps to Make a Lebanese Style Wrap
- Start by spreading a layer of labneh or cream cheese on the entire bread.
- Sprinkle za'atar over the labneh, ensuring even coverage.
- Roll up the bread and add salad vegetables such as sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, and mint leaves.
- Drizzle extra virgin olive oil over the vegetables and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Roll up the wrap tightly and slice it in half.
- Enjoy your delicious and nutritious Lebanese style wrap!
Pros of Lebanese Style Wrap
- Quick and easy to make, perfect for busy individuals.
- Customizable with your favorite salad vegetables.
- Packed with flavor and nutrition.
Cons of Lebanese Style Wrap
- Requires access to ingredients like labneh and za'atar, which may not be readily available in all areas.
- Bread may not be suitable for individuals with gluten intolerance.
Fava Beans Dish
When you have around 10 minutes to cook, a fava beans dish is a great option. This dish consists of cooked fava beans mixed with tomatoes, onions, and chili, topped with boiled eggs. Here's how you can prepare it:
Ingredients for Fava Beans Dish
- Pre-cooked fava beans (canned)
- Tomatoes
- Red onion
- Green chili
- Tahini paste
- Aleppo pepper flakes
- Cumin
- Salt
- Lemon Juice
- Vinegar
- Extra virgin olive oil
Steps to Make Fava Beans Dish
- Boil a pot of Water and cook the eggs for 8 minutes until perfectly boiled.
- While the eggs are cooking, dice the tomatoes, red onion, and green chili.
- Drain the canned fava beans and heat them in a pot until the Sauce melts and comes to a simmer.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the fava beans, diced vegetables, tahini paste, Aleppo pepper flakes, cumin, salt, lemon juice, vinegar, and extra virgin olive oil.
- Adjust the seasonings and flavors according to your taste preference.
- Transfer the mixture to a clean bowl and garnish with additional onions and green chili.
- Slice the boiled eggs in half and place them on top of the fava beans dish.
- Sprinkle with chili flakes for an extra kick of spice.
Pros of Fava Beans Dish
- Quick and easy to make, perfect for a Speedy meal.
- Fava beans are a good source of protein and fiber.
- Versatile dish with endless variations and customizable toppings.
Cons of Fava Beans Dish
- Limited availability of pre-cooked fava beans in some areas.
- Some individuals may not enjoy the taste and texture of fava beans.
Express Chicken Shawarma
If you have approximately 20 minutes to spare, you can treat yourself to an express chicken shawarma. This flavorful dish consists of marinated chicken served with sweet potatoes covered in tahini sauce. Here's how you can prepare it:
Ingredients for Express Chicken Shawarma
- Chicken shawarma spice mix
- Yogurt
- Tomato paste
- Lemon juice
- White vinegar
- Olive oil
- Garlic
- Boneless chicken thighs (or chicken breasts)
- Sweet potatoes
- Tahini paste
- Salad greens
- Chili flakes
Steps to Make Express Chicken Shawarma
- Prepare the chicken shawarma spice mix by combining various spices in a bowl.
- Marinate the chicken in a mixture of yogurt, tomato paste, lemon juice, vinegar, olive oil, shawarma spice mix, and minced garlic.
- Let the chicken marinate for as long as possible, or cook it immediately if you're short on time.
- Place the chicken on a wire rack over an oven tray and bake in a preheated oven at 180 degrees Celsius for 20 minutes.
- While the chicken is cooking, prepare the sweet potatoes. Cube the sweet potatoes and toss them with shawarma spice mix and olive oil. Bake in the oven at 180 degrees Celsius for 30-40 minutes or microwave for a quicker version.
- Make the tahini sauce by combining yogurt, tahini paste, lemon juice, water, salt, pepper, chili powder, and cumin.
- Once the chicken is cooked, slice it and place it on a plate with salad greens and jacket sweet potatoes.
- Drizzle the tahini sauce over the salad and sweet potatoes, and garnish with chili flakes.
- Enjoy a delicious and satisfying plate of express chicken shawarma!
Pros of Express Chicken Shawarma
- Full of bold flavors and textures.
- Versatile dish that can be served with various sides and accompaniments.
- Quick and easy to make, making it perfect for busy schedules.
Cons of Express Chicken Shawarma
- Requires access to specific spices and ingredients like shawarma spice mix and tahini paste.
- Cooking times may vary depending on the thickness of the chicken and personal preferences.
Conclusion
Creating a delicious Middle Eastern meal doesn't have to be time-consuming. With these three quick and easy recipes, you can enjoy a flavorful and nutritious meal even when you're too busy. Whether it's a Lebanese style wrap, fava beans dish, or express chicken shawarma, these Middle Eastern delights will satisfy your taste buds without compromising on time. So, why settle for takeout when you can whip up a delicious meal at home?
Highlights
- Quick and easy Middle Eastern recipes for busy individuals.
- Lebanese style wrap: A fresh and flavorful salad wrapped in bread.
- Fava beans dish: Nutritious and versatile dish with customizable toppings.
- Express chicken shawarma: Bold flavors with marinated chicken and tahini sauce.
- Enjoy mouthwatering Middle Eastern meals without sacrificing time.
FAQ
Q: Can I omit specific ingredients in these recipes?
A: Absolutely! Feel free to customize the recipes according to your taste preferences and dietary restrictions. Substitute ingredients or leave them out entirely to suit your needs.
Q: Can I make these recipes in advance and store them for later?
A: While some components of these dishes can be prepared in advance, it is recommended to assemble and serve them fresh for the best taste and texture.
Q: Are there vegetarian options for these Middle Eastern meals?
A: Yes, all three recipes can be easily adapted for vegetarians. Replace the meat or poultry with plant-based protein alternatives or focus on the delicious vegetable components of the dishes.
Q: Can I make larger quantities of these recipes for meal prep purposes?
A: Absolutely! These recipes can be scaled up or down to suit your needs. Prepare larger quantities and store them in the fridge for quick and convenient meals throughout the week.
