The Finest Middle Eastern Cuisine for Your Dinner Party

Do you love to entertain? Or are you looking for something new and interesting to serve your dinner guests? If so, then why not try some delicious traditional Arab dishes! From spicy kabsa rice and flavorful falafel to the creamy taste of tahini – there is an endless array of spectacular flavors in Arabia that make for a sensational meal. Whether it’s a special occasion or an intimate gathering with friends, cooking up some Levantine-style dishes will certainly spice things up and leave everyone satisfied! Read on to learn about some of the best Arab dishes for a dinner party.

• Mezze Platter

Mezze refers to a variety of small appetizers and dips that are typically served as the opening course of an Arab meal. A mezze platter can include a selection of delicious options such as:

Hummus: A creamy dip made from chickpeas, tahini (sesame paste), lemon juice, garlic, and olive oil. It’s usually served with warm pita bread.

Baba Ganoush: A smoky eggplant dip made by roasting and pureeing eggplant with tahini, garlic, lemon juice, and olive oil.

Tabbouleh: A refreshing salad made with bulgur wheat, parsley, tomatoes, onions, mint, lemon juice, and olive oil.

Falafel: Deep-fried balls or patties made from ground chickpeas or fava beans, flavored with herbs and spices. They are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.

Stuffed Grape Leaves: Grape leaves filled with a mixture of rice, herbs, and sometimes minced meat. They are typically served cold or at room temperature.

• Shawarma

Shawarma is a popular street food in many Arab countries. It involves marinating thin slices of meat (commonly chicken or beef) in a blend of spices and then roasting them on a vertical spit. The meat is slowly cooked until it becomes juicy and flavorful. It is traditionally served in warm flatbread, accompanied by garlic sauce, tahini, pickles, and sometimes fresh vegetables.

• Mansaf

Mansaf is a traditional Jordanian dish that holds cultural significance. It features tender lamb cooked in a sauce made from fermented dried yogurt called jameed, which gives it a distinct tangy flavor. The meat is served over a bed of saffron-infused rice and garnished with toasted almonds and fresh parsley. Mansaf is often enjoyed during special occasions and celebrations.

• Kabsa

Kabsa is a spiced rice dish that is popular in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries. The rice is flavored with a blend of aromatic spices such as cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and bay leaves. It is usually cooked with meat, such as chicken, lamb, or goat, which imparts its flavors into the rice. Kabsa may also include additions like dried fruits, such as raisins or apricots, and nuts like almonds. It is typically served with a side of tomato salsa or yogurt.

• Moutabel

Moutabel, also known as baba ghanoush, is a roasted eggplant dip similar to hummus in texture. The eggplant is charred over an open flame or roasted in the oven until soft and smoky. The flesh is then mixed with tahini, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and sometimes spices like cumin. Moutabel has a rich and creamy consistency, and it is often enjoyed as a dip with pita bread or as a side dish.

• Moroccan Tangine

A Moroccan tagine is both a cooking vessel and a slow-cooked stew. It gets its name from the conical clay pot used to prepare the dish. Tagines are prepared with various combinations of meat (such as chicken, lamb, or beef), vegetables, and aromatic spices. The slow cooking process allows the flavors to meld together, resulting in a rich and tender stew. Traditional tagines may include ingredients like preserved lemons, olives, dried fruits, and a mix of spices such as cumin, coriander, ginger, and saffron. Tagines are often served with fluffy couscous or crusty bread.

• Basbousa

Basbousa is a sweet cake that is popular in Arab cuisine, particularly in Egypt and other North African countries. It is made with semolina, which gives it a slightly coarse texture, combined with sugar, yogurt, and sometimes coconut. The cake is often soaked in a fragrant syrup made with rose water or orange blossom water after baking, which adds moisture and sweetness. Basbousa is usually cut into diamond or square shapes and garnished with almonds or coconut flakes.

Conclusion

A Middle Eastern-themed dinner party can be the perfect way to spice up your dinner table. With a variety of flavorful Arab dishes ranging from za’atar-crusted lamb to stuffed grape leaves, you don’t have to travel far to enjoy a delicious and exotic meal. Whether you gather your friends around the table yourself or order takeout, you’re sure to enjoy an exciting and authentic experience in the comfort of your own home. So why not take advantage of Sirwiss’s scrumptious assortment of Arab food dishes and throw a Middle Eastern-themed shindig? Invite your nearest and dearest for an unforgettable evening full of tasty treats such as baba ghanoush, falafel, hummus, kebabs, salads, and more! So embrace other cultures through food and bring fun seasoning to your next party – Enjoy a Middle Eastern dining experience through Sirwiss!