MIDDLE EASTERN CUISINE INCLUDES ARAB, ARMENIAN, AZERBAIJANI, CYPRIOT, GEORGIAN, IRANIAN, ISRAELI, KURDISH AND TURKISH CUISINES.
Common ingredients include olives and olive oil, pitas, honey, sesame seeds, dates, sumac, chickpeas, mint, rice and parsley, and popular dishes include kebabs, dolma, falafel, baklava, yogurt, doner kebab, shawarma and mulukhiyah.
We know you are aware of hummus, the popular Middle Eastern dip made with chickpeas, but we want to inspire you to taste some less known, but equally tasty and healthy Middle Eastern dips from the Mediterranean!
Do you know their common characteristic?
Well, they all have legumes as their basis, but they are also very filling, healthy, versatile, easy to make and hearty!
1. Ful Mudammes Dip
Ful Mudammes Dip is a traditional Middle Eastern dip, that is regarded as the national dish of Egypt, made from fava beans, olive oil, lemon juice and spices like cumin.
It is usually served warm, along with pita bread and some tomatoes on top. You can modify this dip by adding ingredients such as herbs, chopped vegetables and cheese. Do some experimentation and the result will not disappoint you!
2. Soybean Dip
Soybeans add a unique flavor to this dip, that also includes tahini, garlic, and lemon juice. Pair it with pita bread (you can never go wrong with the combination of a dip and a pita bread!), chips, sandwiches, salads, or just spread it on carrots and cucumbers.
Perfect for parties, or- to be more realistic- chill movie nights!
3. Black Beans Hummus
Looking for a delicious snack to eat with your tortilla chips? A black beans hummus could be your go-to solution. It is simply made with black beans, sesame, tahini, garlic, and olive oil, whereas you can also experiment with lime juice and spices like oregano and cumin.
Once you make it, eat it with falafel, flatbreads, and fresh veggies, and you will want to make it again and again!
4. White Beans Hummus
The alternative to a black beans hummus is a white beans hummus, a creamy and flavorful dip you can eat as an appetizer, side dish, or snack. Get some cannellini beans or similar white beans, olive oil, lemon juice, cumin, and parsley.
Of course, you can add tahini to this one as well. Another gluten-free, vegan, healthy and versatile dip you can prepare very easily and enjoy anywhere!
5. Lentil dip
This packed-with-protein, filling dip, is another gift offered by the Mediterranean diet! It can be made with sun-dried tomatoes, olives, tahini, nuts, seeds, olive oil, orange juice…It depends on your personal tastes, as this dip can be transformed very easily, by just mixing and matching ingredients. Apart from pita, vegetables, and so on, you can also serve this dip with olives, crackers, and baked sweet potato.
