Spicy Middle Eastern Shrimp

YOU NEED:

1 pound peeled, raw shrimp

1 teaspoon coriander, turmeric, cumin, paprika, red pepper flakes for spice

2 cloves minced garlic

1 small onion, diced

juice of 1 lemon

1 tablespoon oil to fry

cilantro or mint as garnish

1. fry up onions and garlic, briefly, in oil

2. add in shrimp, fry until pink with veg

3. top with herbs

3. add in spices and herbs

Mint Goat Cheese & Garlic Sauce

A great sauce to pair with lamb or any middle-eastern/meditteranean food, or even indian!

YOU NEED

1 cup greek yogurt

3 cloves minced garlic

a handful fresh mint, chopped

1/4 cucumber, chopped

salt, pepper, cumin

Minted Lamb Burgers/Pitas

Oh wow! This is a zesty and flavourful take on a burger. Best ever. 

YOU NEED:

pitas or burger buns

500 grams ground lamb

1 egg

a bit of breakdcrumbs

3 cloves minced garlic

a handful chopped mint

salt, pepper, cumin to taste

TOPPINGS:

tomato

onion 

feta or goat cheese

fresh mint

make patties. 

grill or fry.

assemble burgers on warm bread

serve!

Merguez Linguine

No time for spaghetti. Try this amazing dish. 

YOU NEED:

2 Merguez [spicy lamb sausage]

2/3 cup linguine

a handful fresh chopped basil

a handful chopped sun dried tomatoes or fresh tomatoes

2 tablespoons olive oil

salt, pepper, 2 cloves minced garlic

goat cheese or feta to garnish. 

 

Gyros

So meatloaf is gross, but try this! 

YOU NEED:

1 pound ground lamb, beef, pork, or a mix

3 cloves minced garlic

1 teaspoon dry oregano, 1.2 each cumin, salt, pepper, thyme, basil

1 egg

1/8 cup breadcrumbs

MASH INTO A PULP.

form into a loaf. bake for 30 mins to an hour depending on how thick it is. 

MAKE A SANDICH.

slice loaf thinly.

top with: tomato, onion, lettuce, tzatsiki, olives, hummus, parsley,  feta, etc

Cherry, Chicken Salad with Minted Goat Cheese Dressing

Easily omit chicken if vegetarian. 

DRESSING:

2 tbs crumbled goat cheese

2 tbs low fat sour cream

2 tbs lemon juice

salt, pepper

chopped mint

SALAD: 

butter greens or mixed greens

sour cherries, sliced or halved

OPTIONAL:

red onion, slivered

walnuts or pecans, crumbled

CHICKEN:

plain, or marinated in lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, cumin, paprika and sumac before cooking

 

Spicy Merguez Pasta Casserole

Very tasty pasta dish! Merguez is a tasty north-african spicy lamb sausage. 

YOU NEED:

1 cup al dente pasta

a bunch of cherry tomatoes

1/2 cup tomato sauce [add some red pepper flakes and garlic, maybe some fried onions, seasonings for extra yummy]

feta or goat cheese

fresh basil

2 fried merguez sausages

toss together and bake for 30 mins or until cheese has melted and browned,  at 375

Merguez & Shrimp Pasta

A medditeranean inspired pasta dish. 

YOU NEED:

shrimp, raw, peeled and deveined

merguez or lamb, or another sausage,  sliced

green onion

boiled pasta

olive oil, salt, pepper, turmeric [for yellow colour] lemon juice, 2 cloves garlic, salt, pepper, cumin, red pepper flakes.

1. fry chorizo, add shrimp, then onion once almost done. 

2. boil pasta, drain. 

3. add pasta, season.

Tahini Chickpea Salad

Amazing! Tastes like HUMMUS!

YOU NEED:

1 head chopped, washed romaine

2 small tomatoes, cubed

1/3 cucumbed, chunks

1 small red onion, chunks

1 cup chickpeas, drained

FOR DRESSING:

2 tablespoon tahini

2 tablespoon olive oil

4 tablespoon lemon juice

2 cloves minced garlic

salt, pepper

GARNISH:

fresh parsley

paprika

cumin

sumac

FOR A FULL MEAL:

add protein, like feta cheese goat cheese, chicken, or shrimp

Fattoush Salad with Pomegranate & Feta

a new and improved fafftoush!!!

FATTOUSH DRESSING: 1/5 cup olive oil, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 tablespoon red wine inegar, 1/2 tablespoon maple syrup, 2 large cloves minced garlic, 1 teaspoon dijon mustard, salt, pepper, a bit of cumin and sumac. 

FATTOUSH CHIPS:

Toss pita slices in olive oil, place on a baking sheet with some sumac and bake for 10 minutes until crispy.

SALAD: toss chopped romaine, cucumber, tomato, red onion, parsley with dressing. top with chips, pomegranate seeds, and crumbled feta. 

Tarator

Tarator is a middle-eastern sauce made with nuts. for this one, I use walnuts. 

Blend together, in a food processor:

1 clove garlic

1⁄2 cup  walnuts

1⁄2 cup breadcrumbs

1⁄2 cup extra virgin olive oil

1⁄4 cup low-fat greek yogurt

1⁄2 teaspoon salt

3-4 tablespoons white wine vinegar

VARIATIONS? 

With cucumber and dill weed

pistachio and honey

parsley and cracked wheat instead of breadcrumbs

almond & feta cheese

pecan & pomegranate

Herbed Pita Chips

1. slice pita into chunks. 

2. toss in olive oil.

3. place on a baking sheet, preheat oven to 375 F

4. sprinkle with sea salt, sumac, cumin, oregano and parsley

Fattoush Salad with Pomegranate

A delicious salad for your middle-eastern cravings, oh yes!

YOU NEED:
pita chips [bake old pita to make crispy, with olive oil. works too.]

romaine lettuce, choppede

1 pomegranate, seeded

cucumber, red onion

parsley, tomato, feta, and nuts are optional.

dressing:

1/4 cup olive oil

1 tablespoon balsamic or red wine vinegar

1tablespoon lemon  juice

a pinch of cumin

salt and pepper

a large clove minced garlic

toss salad and serve, adding pita chips last as to not get soggy. 

Za'atar

The middle-eastern spice mix of choice. Great to rub on meats, or on bread, and you can store the spice mix for up to 6 months. 

YOU NEED:

Ingredients:

1/4 cup sumac

2 tablespoons thyme

1 tablespoon roasted sesame seeds

2 tablespoons marjoram

2 tablespoons oregano

1 teaspoon coarse salt

1/2 teaspoon lemon zest

For example, mix with garlic and butter and spread on a pita or naan, and bake. delicious!

Mango, Pomegranate & Chickpea Salad

1. Chop into chunks:

1 firm green mango

cucumber

tomato

2. add: pomegranate seeds and 1 can drained chickpeas

3. toss with vinaigtrette: 2 cloves minced garlic, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon sugar, salt, pepper, green onions, cumin, and sumac.

4. top with: fresh mint or cilantro. 

Spicy Chickpea & Feta Pasta Salad

Mmm, this pasta salad kicks it up a notch.

1. boil pasta, drain, cool.

2. drain a can of chickpeas.

3. mix together 1/4 cup crumbled feta [low fat?] with 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 2 cloves minced garlic, a handful of fresh mint [middle eastern] or a teaspoon of oregano [greek] and add a pinch of red chili flakes for spice. cumin or turmeric can be added. 

4. OPTIONAL: cucumber, olives, tomato, zucchini, peppers

5. toss pasta with feta dressing and anything else. season with salt and pepper, serve cold. 

Marinade for Lamb Chops

A succulent marinade for lamb chops.

1. mix together 1 cup greek yogurt, 1/4 cup lemon juice, 3 large cloves minced garlic, some salt, pepper, oregano, thyme, rosemary, and 2 tablespoons olive oil. 

2. if you have it, add saffron or sumac for a middle-eastern twist. 

3. pour oven lamb, marinate in fridge for 3 hours or more. 

4. grill or fry lamb. 

Merguez Meatballs

YOU NEED:

1 pound ground lamb or beef
2 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon paprika
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons ground coriander

1 teaspoon cayenne for spice

red pepper flakes for spice [to taste]

1 1/2 teaspoons salt
Freshly ground pepper

1. mix all ingredients and form into balls.

2. bake or fry, turning once, about 15 mins on each side for baking, and until browned and cooked through for frying.

3. serve with tzatziki or raita, or any middle-eastern yogurt sauce.

Pasta with Tomato, Gorgonzola & Merguez

What a combo!!

1. boil pasta, drain.

2. simmer butter, 2 cloves garlic, add merguez sausage, in chunks.

3. add 1/2 cup tomato sauce, herbs to taste, and simmer.

4. lastly add 3 tablespoons crumbled gorgonzola. 

5. serve on pasta!

Merguez Phyllo Wraps

Mmm. 

1. lay out phyllo wrappers and stuff with:

cooked Merguez sausage or lamb [squeeze out filling and fry] , chopped onion, feta cheese.

2. brush sides with egg, fold and seal. brush tops with olive oil. 

3. bake for 15-20 minutes.