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.
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.
3) Labneh
For those who like their dips easy on the spice meter, Labneh is the dip for you. Tangy, creamy and thick, the Labneh spread is basically yoghurt cheese made by straining Greek Yoghurt. Labneh is a popular sandwich and mezze platter ingredient. The flavour of this dip largely rests on which animal’s milk is used to make the Labneh. Additionally, using a good quality of olive oil drizzle on the top of the dip, can take the flavour of this dip, up a notch. When Labneh is made from cow milk, it tends to have a milder flavour. In Saudi Arabia and Gulf countries, Labneh is made from camel’s milk.
4) Tzatziki
The Taztziki dip is a garlic flavoured yoghurt dip in which, strained yogurt is mixed with cucumbers, garlic, salt, olive oil, and herbs (such as dill, mint, parsley and thyme). As far as this Greek-style Tzatziki sauce goes, it is a common practice to serve it as a meze, that can be relished with bread, fried eggplant, or zucchini. Try pairing the Mutton Seekh Kebab with the Tzatziki dip for a flavour burst in your mouth. The dip goes well as a condiment in burgers, gyros and grilled meat. If you’re not shy of experimenting, this dip can also be paired with various other types of appetisers including fried chicken, pita bread, paneer tikka and more.
5) Muhammara
The Muhammara dip is made from roasted red pepper and walnuts. In Arabic the work ahmar means red, which is where this dip derives its name from. Red in colour and savoury in taste, this dip originated in Syria. The texture of this dish is more grainy than creamy. Muhammara is eaten as a dip with bread (as a spread for toast). In its saucy and creamy form, it pairs well with kebabs, grilled meats, and fish.
6) Ful Medammes
This dip is similar to the Hummus dip, however with a little ingredient tweak. Instead of chickpeas, the Ful Medammes dip has Fava Beans. This dip is a stew of cooked Fava Beans served with cumin, olive oil, chopped herbs, garlic, lemon juice and other spices. With its origin in Egypt, this dish is traditionally served in large metal jugs. This dish is hugely popular in Egypt and some consider it as the national dish of Egypt.