14 Reasons to Make Your Own Middle Eastern Food

Get easy recipes for falafel, creamy hummus, baklava and more classic Middle Eastern dishes.

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Photo By: Matt Armendariz ©2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.

Photo By: Matt Armendariz ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.

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Photo By: Edward Chen / Creel Films ©2011, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.

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Photo By: Matt Armendariz ©2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.

Photo By: Srael Boruchin

Bacon Falafel Bites with Hummus 

Put a new twist on falafel with bacon folded into the batter, and wrap them up with vegetables instead of pita for a lower-carb appetizer.

Get the Recipe: Bacon Falafel Bites with Hummus

Hummus bi Tahini

This authentic hummus blends together chickpeas, nutty tahini, cumin, paprika and chopped parsley.

Get the Recipe: Hummus bi Tahini

Green Falafel

Spice up your picnic with a stuffed falafel sandwich, perfect for lunch on the go.

Get the Recipe: Green Falafel

Dill Hummus and Toasted Pita

Step up your hummus game by adding chopped dill, yogurt and hot paprika to the classic dip. 

Get the Recipe: Dill Hummus and Toasted Pita Wedges

Baklava Rolls 

These buttery, flaky, walnut-stuffed dessert rolls are well worth the sticky fingers.   

Get the Recipe: George and Kathy's Baklava Rolls

Tofu Edamame Falafel

Replace chickpeas with edamame and add tofu tahini for an Asian twist on classic falafel.

Get the Recipe: Tofu Edamame Falafel, Tofu Tahini

White Bean Hummus 

Alton Brown's white bean hummus will cure your snack attack for just 100 calories. 

Get the Recipe: White Bean Hummus

Middle Eastern Pizza

The more toppings, the better! Kalamata olives, eggplant, sun-dried tomatoes, feta, mint and onions top off this cheesy pizza. 

Get the Recipe: Middle Eastern Pizza

Hummus Dip

Have 10 minutes? You can have creamy homemade hummus on the table.

Get the Recipe: Hummus Dip

Baklava 

Michael Symon's baklava bites get added crunch and flavor from pistachios and graham cracker crumbs.

Get the Recipe: Baklava

Baba Ghanoush

This classic Middle Eastern dish gets a punch of flavor from charred eggplant, and it can be served as a side dish or appetizer.

Get the Recipe: Baba Ghanoush

Roasted Garlic Hummus 

Roasting brings out the natural sweetness in garlic and makes it practically melt into creamy hummus. 

Get the Recipe: Roasted Garlic Hummus

Beef Shawarma 

Herbaceous, bright chimichurri sauce complements cardamom-spiced beef, tucked into pillowy pita.

Get the Recipe: Beef Shawarma with Chimichurri Sauce

Kibbe Nabelsieh

These shells are stuffed with meat and then fried until golden brown for a crispy outside and tender inside. 

Get the Recipe: Sherryl Betesh's Kibbe Nabelsieh (Meat Filled Bulgur Shells)