Best 20 Middle Eastern Salad Recipes

MIDDLE EASTERN PITA SALAD (FATTOUSH SALAD) RECIPE BY TASTY

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
• Slice the pitas in half to make 4 thin rounds. Place the pitas on a nonstick sheet pan. Brush with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and season with salt.
• Bake for about 5 minutes, until the outside is golden brown. Let cool until they become crispy.
• Make 3 cuts lengthwise on each of the romaine hearts, remove the stems, and chop into smaller pieces. Rinse, drain, and add to a large salad bowl.
• Seed the cucumber, dice it, and add it to the salad bowl.
• Cut the tomatoes in half and add them to the salad bowl.
• Mince the scallions and add them to the salad bowl.
• Add the radishes, bell pepper, parsley, and mint to the salad bowl and toss to combine.
• In a liquid measuring cup or small bowl, combine the remaining ½ cup (120 ml) of oil, the lemon juice, white wine vinegar, garlic, sumac, allspice, salt, and pepper and whisk until well-combined.
• Pour the dressing over the salad.
• Break the crispy pitas into small pieces and add to the salad. Toss well.
• Enjoy!

MIDDLE EASTERN TOMATO SALAD

Steps:

• Place diced cucumber into a colander and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon salt or as needed; allow to drain for about 15 minutes. Toss drained cucumber with tomato, sweet onion, parsley, and mint. Drizzle salad with olive oil and fresh lemon juice and season with salt and black pepper. Serve immediately.

MIDDLE EASTERN BALELA SALAD

Steps:

• Stir chickpeas, black beans, tomatoes, red onion, parsley, and mint together in a large bowl.
• Whisk lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, cumin, salt, and ground pepper together in a bowl; pour over chickpea mixture and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate salad until flavors blend, about 30 minutes.

LENTIL AND CARROT SALAD WITH MIDDLE EASTERN SPICES

Steps:

• Place the lentils in a medium saucepan, cover by 1 inch with water, add the bay leaf and bring to a boil. Add salt to taste, reduce the heat and cook just until the lentils are al dente, about 25 minutes.
• Meanwhile, combine 3 tablespoons of the olive oil and the garlic in a small frying pan or saucepan over medium heat. When the garlic begins to sizzle, add the spices. Stir together for about 30 seconds, then remove from the heat and transfer to a large bowl.
• While the lentils are simmering, steam the carrots for 8 to 10 minutes, until tender. Remove from the heat and transfer to the bowl with the garlic and spices. Add the lemon juice and salt to taste and toss together.
• When the lentils are cooked al dente, set a strainer over a bowl, drain the lentils and toss at once with the carrots. If desired, add some of the broth to moisten. Add cilantro and another tablespoon of olive oil and toss together. Add freshly ground pepper, taste and adjust salt. Transfer to a serving platter, drizzle the remaining olive oil over the top, and serve warm or at room temperature.

MIDDLE EASTERN TUNA SALAD PITAS

Steps:

• To prepare tuna salad:
• Combine all ingredients except pitas, lettuce, and tomato in a medium-sized mixing bowl and stir well to mix.
• Taste and add salt and more cayenne, if desired.
• Salad can be prepared 1 day ahead. To store, cover and refrigerate.
• To assemble sandwiches: Divide tuna salad equally and mound in pita pockets. Add several tomatoes slices and a lettuce leaf to each pocket. Arrange sandwiches in a basket or on a serving plate. Serve immediately.

MIDDLE EASTERN BEAN SALAD WITH PARSLEY AND LEMON (BALELA)

Steps:

• Pour chick peas and black beans one at a time into colander placed in sink, rinse well until no more foam appears and let drain.Blot dry if they seem too wet.
• While beans are draining, whisk together lemon juice, olive oil, garlic and let the flavors blend.
• Mix the salad ingredients together and let it marinate at room temperature for at least 30 minutes.
• Chop green onions, tomatoes and parsly and add to bowl. Combine this with the beans.
• Whisk dressing ingredients and gently add dressing to bean mixture.
• Add salt and pepper.

SALATA TAHINI--MIDDLE EASTERN TAHINI SALAD

Steps:

• *May need to adjust tahini and water levels to desired consistency*. Consistency should be creamy.
• Dice up tomatoes and cucumbers and combine them together in a medium bowl.
• Place garlic, hot pepper and salt in a mortar.
• Smash until mushed.
• Tahini dressing takes a bit of stirring to become creamy so, you can either add tahini,and water in a bowl by itself and mix or you can add to the same bowl with the cucumbers and tomatoes.
• Add lemon in increments to achieve desired tartness.
• Stir the dressing until smooth and creamy.
• combine everything including garlic/hot pepper together making sure you have added the mint.
• Take tbsp of dried mint, Place in hand and take other hand and rub together, this will sort of grind the mint up smaller and separate it from any stems.
• Place in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
• Serve with a swirl of olive oil on top.
• Enjoy!

MIDDLE EASTERN POTATO SALAD

Steps:

• In a large pot, put the potatoes and cover with cold water; salt and bring to a boil.
• Cook potatoes for 10-12 min or until fork tender.
• Cool and quarter, or cut into 8 pieces depending on size.
• Meanwhile, in another large bowl, stir together the green onions, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, ground cumin, salt, black pepper, allspice, and coriander.
• Add the potatoes, parsley, and tomatoes; toss well to coat.

SPICY MIDDLE-EASTERN ALLIGATOR WITH RICE PILAF AND TABBOULEH SALAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, thoroughly combine the beaten egg whites, garlic, lemon juice, and red chili powder. Using a meat tenderizer, pound all of the alligator fillets until they are tender. Marinate the alligator in the egg white mixture for about 20 minutes.
• In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Remove the alligator fillets from the marinade and sprinkle them with salt. Carefully place the alligator fillets in the pan, and saute them until browned. Work in batches as necessary. Flip the fillets with tongs or with a spatula, and cook until browned on the other side, and the meat is cooked through.
• In a medium bowl, cover the bulgur wheat with warm water and allow it to soak for approximately 20 minutes. Pour the bulgur wheat into a strainer, and then squeeze out all of the excess water. Mix the lemon juice, salt, and pepper with the bulgur wheat and set aside.
• Wash the parsley, and dry it thoroughly. Chop the parsley very finely and combine it, along with the tomatoes and scallions, with the bulgur wheat mixture. Stir the olive oil into the salad until it is thoroughly covered. Add more lemon juice, salt, or pepper as desired, to adjust the taste.
• In a large saucepan, melt the butter over high heat. Add the rice and noodles to the pan, and fry them in the butter. Add approximately 1 1/2 cups of water to the pan and lower the heat to medium-low. Cover the pan with a tightly-fitting lid, and allow the rice mixture to steam until all the water is absorbed. Season with salt, to taste.

MIDDLE EASTERN BEAN SALAD

Steps:

• Whisk olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic together in a bowl; season with salt and pepper. Add parsley, kidney beans, garbanzo beans, and onion; toss to coat. Sprinkle sumac over salad; season with salt and pepper.

MIDDLE EASTERN-INSPIRED MACARONI SALAD

Steps:

• Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain and rinse with cold water. Cool completely. Meanwhile, in a small skillet, cook lamb over medium heat until no longer pink, 6-7 minutes, breaking into crumbles; drain. Set aside to cool completely. , For dressing, in a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, sugar, mustard, salt and pepper. In a large bowl, combine chickpeas, onion, za'atar seasoning, macaroni and lamb. Add dressing; gently toss to coat. , Refrigerate until serving. Top with yogurt and lemon zest if desired.

MIDDLE EASTERN LENTIL SALAD

Steps:

• Place the lentils in a medium saucepan, cover by 1 inch with water and bring to a boil. Add 1 teaspoon salt, reduce the heat and cook just until the lentils are al dente, about 25 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat 3 tablespoons of the olive oil and the garlic in a small frying pan or saucepan over medium heat. When the garlic begins to sizzle, add the spices. Stir together for about 30 seconds, then remove from the heat and set aside.
• When the lentils are just tender, drain through a strainer set over a bowl. Toss at once in another bowl with the garlic, spices, cilantro and lemon juice. Taste and adjust salt. If the lentils seem a little dry, add a few tablespoons of the broth. Transfer to a serving platter, drizzle the remaining olive oil over the top and serve warm or at room temperature.

CHICKPEA, QUINOA AND CELERY SALAD WITH MIDDLE EASTERN FLAVORS

Steps:

• In a salad bowl, combine chickpeas, quinoa, celery, tomatoes, dill, mint, chives, onion and sumac and toss together.
• In a small bowl or measuring cup whisk together lemon juice, vinegar, salt, and garlic. Whisk in the olive oil. Pour over the salad and toss well. Sprinkle more sumac on top, and serve.

RAW KALE SALAD WITH AN ASIAN/MIDDLE EASTERN VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Place the kale in a non-reactive bowl.
• Whisk the vinaigrette ingredients together and pour over the kale.
• Cover and set aside for 1 hour.
• Just before serving, taste the vinaigrette and adjust the seasonings if neccessary then stir in the dried fruit and almonds.
• Enjoy!

MIDDLE EASTERN STYLE PASTA AND CHICKPEA SALAD

Steps:

• 1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Rinse with cold water and drain well. Place in a large bowl.
• 2. Rinse and drain chickpeas and add to pasta in bowl.
• 3. Add tomatoes, celery, olives and green onion to pasta.
• 4. In a jar with a tight fitting lid, combine dressing ingredients. Place lid on jar and shake well.
• 5. Pour over pasta mixture and gently toss until coated. Let stand about 30 minutes or so.
• 6. Garnish with crumbled feta just before serving, if desired.

MIDDLE-EASTERN PITA SALAD

Steps:

• In a sieve sprinkle the cucumber with a pinch of salt, let it drain for 20 minutes, and pat it dry. While the cucumber is draining, in a baking pan bake the pita pieces in the middle of a preheated 325°F oven, shaking the pan occasionally, for 18 to 20 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crisp, and let them cool slightly.
• In a large bowl whisk together the oil, the lemon juice, the garlic, and the salt and pepper to taste, whisking until the dressing is emulsified, stir in the bell pepper, the tomato, the scallion, the parsley, the chopped mint, the pita pieces, the cucumber, and more salt and pepper to taste, and toss the salad to combine it well. Transfer the salad to a platter and garnish it with the romaine and the mint sprigs.

MIDDLE EASTERN TUNA SALAD

Steps:

• Whisk together yogurt, tahini, lemon juice, garlic and cumin in a bowl.
• Stir in tuna, chickpeas and parsley and season with salt and pepper.

MIDDLE EASTERN CARROT SALAD

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients together and chill for at least 1 hour.

MIDDLE EASTERN STYLE BLACK BEAN SALAD

Steps:

• Mix all salad ingredients together, place to the side while making the dressing.
• To make dressing, mix lemon juice with cumin, salt and pepper.
• Beat in olive oil.
• Fold into reserved salad.
• Chill several hours to enhance flavor.

MIDDLE EASTERN SNAPPER WITH COUSCOUS SALAD

Steps:

• Place the couscous in a large heatproof bowl. Bring 1 cup water to a simmer in a small saucepan; pour over the couscous, cover and let stand until the water is absorbed, about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, grate the zest of 1 lemon, juice 1 1/2 lemons and cut the remaining 1/2 lemon into 4 wedges. Fluff the couscous and add 2 tablespoons olive oil, the lemon juice, bell pepper, cucumber, tomatoes, shallot and parsley; season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate while the fish cooks.
• Mix the za'atar, lemon zest and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper in a small bowl. Rub onto the flesh side of the fish. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over high heat. Add 2 fish fillets skin-side down, pressing gently to prevent them from curling. Cook until the edges turn opaque, about 4 minutes. Carefully flip the fish and cook until just opaque throughout, about 2 minutes; remove to plates. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and repeat with the remaining 2 fish fillets.
• Top the fish with parsley and drizzle with olive oil. Serve with the couscous salad and lemon wedges.