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Browse 45 starter recipes across MENA and beyond, with clear ingredient amounts and step-by-step tutorials.
Sweet vermicelli, fragrant cardamom, and a savoury egg topping.
2 servings4 steps
Eggs cooked in a warm tomato and pepper sauce.
2 servings4 steps
Crisp vegetables, toasted pita and a bright lemon dressing.
2 servings4 steps
Fluffy couscous with tender vegetables and chickpeas.
3 servings4 steps
A simple home-style version of the Provençal vegetable dish.
4 servings4 steps
A home-style potato and egg tortilla.
3 servings4 steps
A straightforward tomato sauce, pasta and fresh basil.
2 servings4 steps
A simplified chickpea curry with tomatoes and warm spices.
3 servings4 steps
A gentle tofu and seaweed soup using your preferred dashi.
2 servings4 steps
Fresh avocado, lime, tomato and coriander.
2 servings3 steps
Tomatoes, cucumber, olives and feta in a simple dressing.
2 servings3 steps
A comforting, smooth red lentil soup with lemon.
3 servings4 steps
A simplified home-style recipe.
3 servings4 steps
A simplified home-style recipe.
2 servings3 steps
A simplified home-style recipe. This version uses date syrup for sweetness; household versions vary.
3 servings3 steps
A simplified home-style recipe.
3 servings4 steps
A simplified home-style recipe.
2 servings3 steps
A simplified home-style recipe. A meat-free adaptation of the one-pot pasta dish.
3 servings4 steps
A simplified home-style recipe.
4 servings4 steps
A simplified home-style recipe.
3 servings4 steps
A simplified home-style recipe. A simple non-caramelised version; Gulf preparations vary.
4 servings4 steps
A simplified home-style recipe. A vegetarian adaptation of the creamy rice component, without the usual meat or meat broth.
3 servings3 steps
A simplified home-style recipe.
4 servings3 steps
A simplified home-style recipe. A simplified yeast-raised version, coloured with a little turmeric.
3 servings4 steps
A simplified home-style recipe.
3 servings3 steps
A simplified home-style recipe.
3 servings3 steps
A simplified home-style recipe. An accessible semolina-and-yogurt adaptation of couscous served with cultured milk; traditional grains and preparation vary. The link documents the shared couscous tradition, not these quantities.
3 servings3 steps
A simplified home-style recipe. A quick yeast-raised wheat-and-sorghum adaptation of the spongy bread.
3 servings5 steps
A simplified home-style recipe. A shortcut using cooked adzuki beans rather than simmering dried beans.
3 servings3 steps
A simplified home-style recipe. A vegetarian spinach adaptation; traditional madaba often uses cassava leaves and accompanies fish.
3 servings4 steps
A simplified home-style recipe.
3 servings3 steps
A simplified home-style recipe.
3 servings3 steps
A simplified home-style recipe. A simplified baked-eggplant version of a sandwich with Iraqi-Jewish roots; regional variations include amba.
2 servings4 steps
A simplified home-style recipe.
3 servings3 steps
A simplified home-style recipe. A short home infusion inspired by Sahrawi tea hospitality; it does not reproduce the full multi-pour tea ceremony. The link documents the ceremony, not this preparation.
4 servings3 steps
A simple cheese, tomato and basil pizza made with prepared dough.
2 servings5 steps
Small sushi rolls with seasoned rice and tender cooked vegetables; no raw fish.
2 servings6 steps
A home-style stir-fry with rice, colourful vegetables and fully cooked scrambled eggs.
2 servings5 steps
A simplified sweet, tangy rice-noodle dish with tofu, vegetables and roasted peanuts.
2 servings5 steps
A meat-free taco variation with warm spiced chickpeas and fresh toppings.
2 servings5 steps
A Punjabi-inspired shortcut using cooked canned lentils and kidney beans, with butter and cream.
3 servings5 steps
Baked vegetarian patties with lentils, oats and vegetables, served in buns.
4 servings5 steps
Thin, fully cooked pancakes with lemon and sugar; makes about eight small crêpes.
2 servings5 steps
A simplified Vietnamese-style noodle soup with aromatic broth, mushrooms and tofu.
2 servings5 steps
A colourful Korean-style rice bowl with cooked vegetables, a fully cooked egg and a spicy sauce.