Middle Eastern Cuisine: A Culinary Wonder Worth Exploring

Middle Eastern cuisine is gaining popularity globally. For a few years now, the ingredients, traditions, and even the regional nuances of Middle East cuisine have become mainstream, and more and more people are embracing its unique flavors.

If you, too, are interested in Middle East cuisine, read on as Karakoram Restaurant shares some of the basics of Middle Eastern food:

What Sets Middle Eastern Cuisine Unique

One of the most essential ingredients in the cuisine is olive oil. It is the backbone of Middle East cuisine and is present in almost all their dishes.

Middle Eastern dishes are also known for their distinct flavors. The Middle Eastern people believe that the taste of a dish is enhanced when it is made with a variety of ingredients instead of relying on a single ingredient. Spices like cumin, cloves, turmeric, cinnamon, and saffron are common in Middle Eastern cuisine.

Another unique aspect of Middle Eastern cuisine is the abundance of starchy, carb-rich ingredients like grains, starches, and vegetables. Middle Eastern dishes are simply not complete without these staples of the cuisine.

Middle Eastern cuisine is also popular for its use of nuts and dried fruits, which are typically eaten as snacks or desserts.

Middle Eastern cuisine also consists of some unconventional ingredients. For example, the Syrian flavor of their food has been known to include the hilbeh spice, which is made from boiled yogurt, ground pine nuts, and spices.

Middle Eastern Cuisine Varies Depending on the Region

Middle Eastern cuisine is complex and varies depending on the region. There is a wide variety of dishes, and every region has its specialties.

For example, in Syrian and Lebanese cuisine, olive oil and garlic are the main ingredients. They often use such ingredients to prepare hummus, tabbouleh, fattoush, and baba ganoush.

On the other hand, the main ingredients in the Iraqi and Persian cuisines are baked or roasted meat marinated in olive oil and cooked in clay pots.

The ingredients and tastes of these cuisines are so unique that you can easily distinguish them from the neighboring cuisines.

Common Misconceptions About Middle Eastern Cuisine

There are many misconceptions regarding Middle Eastern cuisine. Let’s find out some of the common ones:

“Middle Eastern cuisine is difficult to make.”

Middle Eastern cuisine is tasty, but it is not difficult to make. Most of the ingredients can be found at your local grocery store. You can recreate Middle Eastern dishes with ease by following a simple recipe.

“Middle Eastern cuisine is bland.”

Many of the Middle Eastern dishes used to be bland, but now with the increasing popularity of Middle Eastern cuisine, more and more people are using spices and herbs to add flavor to their dishes.

“Middle Eastern cuisine is heavy.”

Many assume that Middle Eastern food is heavy and rich in fat, but the reality is that most of the ingredients in the cuisine are lean and light on your digestive system.

Conclusion

The flavors and spices of Middle Eastern cuisine are unique. Each dish is bursting with flavor and comes with a variety of ingredients and tastes. From the renowned hummus to kibbeh, fattoush, kebabs, and everything in between, you won’t run out of delicious Middle Eastern dishes to try.

Karakoram Restaurant is one of the most popular restaurants in Vancouver that serves Indian, Pakistani, and Middle Eastern cuisine. Check out our menu today and reserve a table today!