The first place that comes to your mind when you think of delicious dips is Middle East. From Hummus to Tzatziki, the Middle East is a treasure trove of dip recipes. These dips are usually paired with kebabs, breads, salads etc. The Middle-Eastern cuisine is quite expansive, encompassing the regional cuisines of Egypt, Arab, Lebanon, Iraq, Iran, Palestine, Turkiye and more. Some popular ingredients of this cuisine include olives and olive oil, pitas, honey, sesame seeds, dates, chickpeas, parsley etc.
Whatever be the occasion - date night or a family dinner, learning about middle eastern dips is surely going to help you put together a delectable meal. Easy to make with regular ingredients, these dips can add life to any appetiser. You could also try these dips out by pairing them with snacks or breads from another cuisine. So let’s broaden our dip repertoire and learn more about some of the delicious dips from the Middle East.
1) Hummus
One of the most popular dips of the Middle-Eastern cuisine, hummus is a chickpea based dip that’s extremely healthy. Giving you a much needed boost of protein, hummus is commonly paired with pita bread. Hummus can also be used as a dip to eat your vegetables with. Carrots, celery and cucumber sticks can be paired with this dip to make a delicious after-school or after-work snack. While the origins of the hummus are debated, Egypt and Levant are the two regions where old records of puréed chickpeas being eaten exist.
Credit: Pexels
2) Baba Ghanoush
This dip consists of finely chopped and roasted eggplant that is broiled over an open flame before it's peeled, so that the pulp of the vegetable has a smoky flavour. The richness of olive oil, tanginess of lemon juice, the various seasonings, and tahini make this an all time favourite pick in a mezze platter. The baba ghanoush dip has origins in Levant. Many different versions of this dip are relished across the Middle East, with some variations being spicier than the others. You could try pairing this dip with nachos, chips or vegetable cutlets if you like to experiment with fusion cuisine.
Credits: Instagram/falafelenhummus
