Middle Eastern Style Brunch-Lunch-Dinner

Personally I love a really good themed meal, and I mean almost any theme will do! Whether its for a sporting event, a movie themed dinner, a holiday, a weather or season theme, or even something like an Ethnicity based theme! That brings me to one of my absolute favorites, growing up in half Middle Eastern family I absolutely love the food, its really delicious, fresh, simple, filling (without weighing you down), and often healthy!

What it’s about and what it’s for?

Really its about having some really delicious food with some good friends or family! What its for is almost anything, whether its a simple weeknight dinner made up of or supporting a fridge full of leftovers. Or for a weekend Lunch or larger dinner! I like to make this all fresh on a Saturday or Sunday (and if I’m feeding a group of 8, I cook for a group of 16) and then have leftovers for all week!

What’s included and How’s it go down?

This is one of the beauties of the meal, really almost anything can be included… usually its based around 1 or 2 proteins, a few starches (think Rice, Potatoes, Fresh Baked Bread, or even just some toasted Pita’s), and then (usually) many different salads and dips. I really like this because you can fix a plate and then experiment with all the different combinations of flavors!
When I do this I like to include the following (click on any of the links below for the recipes!), then depending on time, effort, and availability I might add in more from below or skip some parts… It doesn’t really matter if you use what’s below as long as you have a main focal point, a starch or bread, and a bunch of salads / dips, you’re golden!
Typically I serve everything except the sweet stuff all at once to let everyone combine everything or anything they want, then finish with a relaxed round of sweets and some hot beverages!