Give your dinner routine an exotic twist with this collection of 20 Egyptian recipes. The cuisine features the best influences from the Middle East and the Mediterranean.
I know you will enjoy exploring these fascinating history-rich dishes right from your own kitchen.
1. Egyptian Garlic Yogurt Cucumber Salad
You must try Salatet Zabady Bil Ajur if you love the combo of garlic and yogurt. This refreshing salad features juicy cucumbers dressed in a creamy garlic mixture.
It works perfectly as a summer appetizer or a topping for meat entrees.
2. Ful Medames
Ful medames is a traditional Egyptian breakfast featuring fava beans. Olive oil and garlic flavor this filling dish served everywhere from busy streets to fancy restaurants.
An old Arab saying claims beans have satisfied even the pharaohs.
3. Rice Stuffed Veggies with Tomato Sauce (Mahshi)
Egyptian mahshi takes stuffed vegetables to a different level. This vegetarian dish features baked veggies like zucchini, squash, and bell peppers with an aromatic rice filling.
You will not even miss the meat thanks to the cilantro, dill, and mint seasoning.
4. Koshari (Rice with Crispy Onions and Tomato Sauce)
Koshari serves as the national dish of Egypt. It combines pasta, rice, chickpeas, and lentils into a hearty hodgepodge covered in tomato sauce.
Crispy fried onions top this classic comfort food that is sure to cure your blues.
5. Basbousa
Basbousa is a sweet semolina cake made with yogurt. Coconut gives it character while almonds stud the wonderfully soft cake.
A sticky and sweet syrup is drizzled all over to add extra flavor.
6. Egyptian Hawawshi
Hawawshi is basically the Egyptian version of the American hamburger. Crispy pita pockets hold a filling of peppers, onions, and ground beef.
A spice blend featuring cardamom, cinnamon, and paprika transforms the dish from bland to brilliant.
7. Egyptian Mahlab Bread
Bread plays a big part in Egyptian cuisine. This puffy, thin, and crunchy bread is seriously addictive.
It tastes great with savory items like cheese or sweet options like figs and watermelon.
8. Egyptian Lentil Soup
This soup highlights lentils in all their glory. Pureed red lentils join celery, onion, carrots, and potatoes to create a smooth and creamy texture.
Spices like turmeric, cayenne, and cumin add a nice kick of warmth.
9. Om Ali (Umm Ali- Egyptian Bread Pudding)
You should absolutely make room for this Egyptian bread pudding. Puff pastry soaks in milk alongside sugar, nuts, raisins, and coconut flakes.
The oven turns the mixture into total pudding perfection.
10. Egyptian Hummus
Hummus is a classic dip made from mashed chickpeas. Lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, and tahini provide rich and creamy flavor.
You can use it as a sandwich filling or a sauce for pasta or salad.
11. Kofta
Fragrant herbs and spices make kofta a cut above the rest. Ground beef or lamb is flavored with onions and garlic before being grilled to perfection.
My favorite way to eat these patties involves soft toasted pita bread.
12. Egyptian Tomato Sauce
You will often find a bowl of tomato sauce on an Egyptian dinner table. It is ubiquitous in meals ranging from rice and noodles to casseroles.
The flavor profile is wonderfully spicy, tangy, and garlicky.
13. Falafel
Falafel is likely one of the most popular Egyptian dishes known to man. This epic treat uses a fava bean base.
Top it with tahini, pepper, onion, and tomato before eating it with naan.
14. Egyptian Lentils and Rice
Lentils and rice form a staple on the Egyptian dinner table. A rich tomato sauce ties the chickpeas, rice, and lentils together into a hearty dish.
This recipe uses a slow cooker so it is ridiculously easy to make.
15. Toum/Tooma (Garlic Sauce)
Tooma is a white garlic paste that originated in Lebanon. The condiment is as creamy as mayo and packs a serious garlic punch.
Tart lemon juice balances out the rich and pungent flavors.
16. Fattah (Meat with Rice, Toasted Pita and Tomato Sauce)
Fattah is a stand alone dish featuring rice, pita bread, and beef or lamb. A delectable garlic tomato sauce makes every component work together in harmony.
People traditionally serve this during special occasions like Ramadan.
17. Dukkah (Nut, Seed, and Spice Blend)
Dukkah is a signature Egyptian seasoning blending nuts, seeds, and spices. You likely already have the required coriander, cumin, and sesame seeds in your pantry.
It makes a huge difference when used to flavor bread, veggies, and meats.
18. Chicken Shawarma
There is just something about succulent meat and rich garlic sauce on tender pita.
This recipe creates ridiculously tasty shawarma without needing a vertical rotisserie. I highly suggest you pin this recipe for keeps.
19. Egyptian Ghorayebah (Butter Cookies)
Ghorayebah cookies are rich, buttery, and melt in your mouth tender. This recipe calls for just five basic ingredients.
It really could not get any better than that.
20. Salata Baladi
Salata baladi is an Egyptian salad containing tomato, cucumber, onion, parsley, and bell pepper.
The dressing features a blend of vinegar, lemon, chili pepper, and cumin. It tastes just as delicious as it looks.
