The Irresistible Falafel Sandwich
Embarking on our flavorful expedition, let’s start with the iconic Falafel sandwich. A staple of Middle Eastern street food, this delightful vegetarian dish bursts with flavor in every bite.
For the falafel, you’ll need:
- 1 cup dried chickpeas
- 1/2 large onion, roughly chopped (about 1 cup)
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2-1 teaspoon dried hot red pepper
- 4 cloves of garlic
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 4-6 tablespoons flour
- Soybean or vegetable oil for frying
Soak chickpeas overnight, then drain. Blend them in a food processor with onions, parsley, cilantro, salt, hot pepper, garlic, and cumin. Add baking powder and flour so the dough forms a small ball and no longer sticks to your hands. Form the mixture into small balls, about 1.5 inches in diameter. Heat oil and fry each ball for a few minutes until golden brown.
The Captivating Shawarma Wrap
Next, we journey into the enticing world of Shawarma wraps. Originating from the Ottoman Empire, the shawarma is a dish of marinated meat cut into thin slices and stacked in a cone-like shape. It’s then roasted slowly on a vertical rotisserie or spit.
For the Shawarma wrap, you need:
- 1 kg of boneless chicken thighs
- 6 cloves of garlic, crushed
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- The juice of 2 lemons
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Pita bread
- Fresh vegetables and garlic sauce for serving
Marinate the chicken in a mix of garlic, spices, lemon juice, and olive oil for at least 3 hours. Grill until fully cooked, then thinly slice. Serve the chicken on pita bread with your choice of fresh vegetables and garlic sauce.
The Scrumptious Sabich Sandwich
Last on our culinary expedition, the Sabich sandwich hails from Iraqi Jewish cuisine. It features fried eggplant, boiled eggs, hummus, tahini, and Israeli salad, tucked into a pita bread for a mouthful of happiness.
The key ingredients are:
- 2 small eggplants
- 4 eggs
- 4 pita breads
- Hummus
- Tahini sauce
- Israeli salad (diced cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, and parsley)
Slice the eggplants and deep-fry until golden. Boil the eggs, then peel and slice. Assemble the sandwich by spreading hummus inside the pita, then layer with eggplant, eggs, salad, and a drizzle of tahini sauce.
So, next time you’re in a mood for a quick and hearty meal, remember these flavorful Middle Eastern sandwiches!
The Delightful Doner Kebab
Continuing our journey, let’s venture into the realm of the Doner Kebab. This Turkish delight, popular throughout the Middle East and beyond, is traditionally made with rotisserie-cooked meat stuffed in bread with fresh vegetables and flavorful sauces.
For the Doner Kebab, you will need:
- 1 kg of boneless lamb or beef, thinly sliced
- 2 onions, grated
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1 teaspoon of ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon of ground cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Flatbread or pita bread
- Fresh vegetables (lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions)
- Garlic and yoghurt sauce for serving
Marinate the meat in a mixture of grated onions, garlic, olive oil, coriander, cumin, salt, and pepper for at least 4 hours or overnight. Cook the meat on a hot grill or in a skillet until it is well done. Thinly slice the meat and serve it on flatbread or pita with fresh vegetables and your favorite sauce.
The Amazing Kafta Roll
Our next stop takes us to the tantalizing world of Kafta rolls. This delicious Lebanese sandwich features grilled meatballs, known as Kafta, in a roll with fresh vegetables and a tahini drizzle.
For the Kafta Roll, gather:
- 500g of ground beef or lamb
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 handful of fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon of ground cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Flatbread or pita bread
- Fresh vegetables (lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions)
- Tahini sauce for serving
Mix the ground meat with onion, garlic, parsley, cumin, salt, and pepper until well combined. Form this mixture into long, thin meatballs and grill until fully cooked. Serve the Kafta on flatbread or pita with fresh vegetables and a drizzle of tahini sauce.
The Exotic Merguez Sandwich
To conclude our flavorful expedition, let’s explore the Merguez sandwich. This North African delicacy features spicy lamb sausage, known as Merguez, served in a roll with fresh salad and harissa sauce.
Here’s what you need:
- 4 Merguez sausages
- 4 French baguettes or rolls
- Fresh salad (lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions)
- Harissa sauce for serving
Grill the Merguez sausages until they are fully cooked. Slice open the baguettes or rolls and fill with the sausages, fresh salad, and a generous smear of harissa sauce.
So there you have it, a collection of mouthwatering Middle Eastern sandwiches to awaken your taste buds and satiate your culinary curiosity!