Video - Top 5 Middle Eastern Delights: From Fresh Fattoush to Savory Kebabs

Number 75. Fattoush (Lebanon) A fresh and tangy salad. Chop cucumbers, tomatoes, radishes, and green onions. Add chopped romaine lettuce and fresh parsley. Tear pieces of pita bread and toast until crispy. Mix the vegetables and pita with a dressing made from lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, sumac, and salt. Toss well and serve immediately. Number 74. Mansaf (Jordan) A traditional Jordanian lamb dish. Cook lamb pieces with onions and spices such as turmeric and cumin. In a separate pot, simmer jameed (dried yogurt) until it becomes a sauce. Combine the cooked lamb with the yogurt sauce and simmer together. Serve over a large platter of rice, garnished with pine nuts and parsley. Number 73. Shakshuka (Middle East) A popular breakfast dish. Sauté onions, bell peppers, and garlic in olive oil until soft. Add tomatoes, tomato paste, and spices like cumin, paprika, and cayenne. Simmer until thickened. Make wells in the sauce and crack eggs into them. Cover and cook until the eggs are set. Garnish with fresh cilantro or parsley. Number 72. Dolma (Turkey) Stuffed grape leaves. Mix ground meat (beef or lamb), rice, onions, pine nuts, and spices like allspice and mint. Blanch grape leaves in boiling water. Place a spoonful of the filling on each leaf and roll tightly. Arrange in a pot, cover with water and lemon juice, and simmer until the rice and meat are cooked through. Number 71. Kebab (Middle East) Grilled meat skewers. Marinate cubes of lamb, beef, or chicken in a mixture of yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, and spices such as cumin and coriander. Thread the marinated meat onto skewers along with vegetables like bell peppers and onions. Grill until the meat is cooked and slightly charred. Serve with flatbread and a yogurt sauce.