Unveiling the Rich Flavors of Middle Eastern Cuisine
This Middle Eastern cuisine has three delights. First, a creamy hummus. Second, a warm, crisp pita bread. Third, a scrumptious falafel. These dishes look very tasty. But, they show only a small part of Middle Eastern cuisine. In Morocco, the spices are bright. In Iran, the stews are hot. So, Middle Eastern cuisine is rich in all the ways a good meal should be. It’s time to explore hidden gems of Middle Eastern cuisine. Get ready to meet the region’s delicious side.
A Feast for the Senses: Traditional Middle Eastern Dishes
Shakshuka: "Spice Up Your Morning"
This dish has acquired its popularity in the Middle East’s breakfast meals. It is a traditional, filling meal. Poach eggs and serve them with a hot, spiced tomato-pepper sauce. People usually take it with warm bread that they dip in the beverage.
Recommended Toronto Restaurants:
Cafe Landwer: With new branches across the city, you can now have your Shakshuka in six types. Trust me on this; you’ll love it for your morning breakfast.
Manita: Manita will be your favorite coffee shop and bar. At 9 a.m., they serve an excellent breakfast with shakshuka made with cream and herbs. It comes with toasted bread. It is only available for walk-ins.
Shawarma: "Wrap Your Senses in Flavor with Authentic Shawarma!"
Shawarma is one of the most famous Middle Eastern dishes. When discussing Middle Eastern cuisines, we must mention it. People in the Middle East love this famous fast food so much that it has spread throughout the world.
First, marinate lean lamb, chicken, or beef. Then, place it on a spit to make shawarma. Cut the meat into thin slices while it’s roasting. Next, pack it in pita or flatbread. Add similar ingredients and sauces. It’s my top choice for lunch and dinner. Not every spot has good shawarma. Let me recommend a few gems.
Recommended Toronto Restaurants:
Alpha’s Shawarma: Established at Queen Street West area, Alpha’s Shawarma is among the best kept secrets because it is fast becoming famous among people. Offering an exquisite Shawarma that is tender and filled with so much flavor, Alpha’s employs the use of right ingredients and subdued spices as defined by the Middle Eastern cuisine.
Their chicken Shawarma wrap is quite popular with juicy strips of meat, crisp and crunchy vegetables, all wrapped up in a foil and served with a mouth watering garlic sauce.
Paramount Shawarma: Company Paramount Shawarma is a well-known name in Middle Eastern cuisine in Toronto. There are multiple paramount locations throughout the city, and people adore the restaurant since the quality is consistently great regardless of branch.
They marinade their shawarma well and prepare it in a vertical roaster, so flavour is not an issue. Whether you choose their chicken, beef, or mixed shawarma, you are guaranteed a delicious dinner. Paramount has a large selection of sides, and they also have a variety of sauces for their shawarma.
Falafel: "Bite into Tradition, Savor the Flavor!"
Falafel, like shawarma, is a well-known Middle Eastern food. It’s made from ground chickpeas or fava beans, formed into balls or patties, and deep-fried. Falafel is popular in the Middle East. It is often served in pita or on flatbread. It arrives accompanied by a fresh mix of tomatoes, cucumbers, and lettuce. Common sauces include tahini, hummus, or sour yogurt. Falafel can be part of a mezze platter. Appetizers like hummus, baba ganoush, and tabbouleh serve it. There’s much more to Middle Eastern food than you might think, Habibi.
Recommended Toronto Restaurants:
Fat Pasha: Fat Pasha offers a modern take on traditional Middle Eastern cuisine, and their falafel is a must-try. Their falafel has a delightfully crispy exterior and a rich, tender centre, and it’s the first thing I order after going to this gem, it comes with a selection of excellent sides and sauces to round out the dining experience.
Mashu Mashu: Mashu Mashu in Forest Hill is comfortable and features some of the city’s best falafel. They offer great falafel wraps & plates, always hot, accompanied with different salads & sauces to give you the best, the bites of which are pleasant.
Manakeesh (Za'atar Bread): "A Slice of Middle Eastern Delight!"
I recently attended a Middle Eastern Food Festival in Nathan Phillips and came across this fascinating meal called Manakeesh. I was with one of my coworkers from Lebanon, and he recommended that I taste it. I was captivated by the originality of having pizza-style meals, and the greatest thing was that the cook was a native of Lebanon who moved to Canada 7 years ago. I hadn’t had such delicious tastes in quite some time.
Manakeesh is best eaten hot; immediately after coming out from the oven, and it is usually eaten plain or garnished with various condiments. It goes rather nicely with fresh vegetables, olives, and some yogurt or labneh on the side. They are quite handy, can be consumed whilst on the move or when one wishes to sit down for a meal at home.
Recommended Toronto Restaurants:
Manousha: Located in Scarborough, Manousha specializes in traditional Lebanese manakeesh. Their menu features a variety of toppings, from classic za’atar to more adventurous options like Nutella.
Aldeewan Bakery: Situated in the Scarborough, The Lebanese Bakery serves up authentic manakeesh with a range of toppings. Their commitment to traditional recipes and high-quality ingredients ensures a delicious experience every time.
Kunafeh: " A Sweet Symphony of Crisp, Cream, and Tradition!"
Kunafeh is a rich dessert that represents the sweet and luxurious side of Middle Eastern cuisine. This delicacy, known for its unusual texture and rich flavours, is a regional favourite and a must-try for everyone. Taking a crisp bite with mind-blowing taste ends in a silky texture.
Kunafeh is made from a pastry called Kataifi or from semolina dough, this is placed in between a filling that can be sweet cheese or a creamy substance. In the making of the dessert, it is baked to a golden brown crisp and then sandwiched with a syrup, albeit simple, made from sugar, water, the optional touch of rose or orange blossom water. Sometimes it is accompanied with crushed pistachios or nut of a similar kind, to give a crunch impression with every spoonful.
Recommended Toronto Restaurants:
kunafa’s: This cozy café offers a delightful Kunafeh, made with fresh ingredients and served warm. It’s the perfect spot to indulge in this sweet treat with a cup of coffee or tea.
Paramount Fine Foods: A favorite for Middle Eastern cuisine, Paramount Fine Foods serves a traditional Kunafeh that is sure to satisfy your sweet cravings. Their Kunafeh is perfectly balanced with a crispy exterior and a gooey, cheesy center.
Baklava: "Indulge in Layers of Sweet Delight!"
No exploration of Middle Eastern cuisine would be complete without dessert. Baklava is prepared from arrangement of thin layers of pastry that comprises walnuts, pistachios, or almonds that is brushed with melted butter for its crispy, honey-brown look.
Eventual baking until crisp, it is then soaked in a syrup of sugar, honey and most of the time rose or orange blossom water to give it added sweet and somewhat sticky taste.
Recommended Toronto Restaurants:
Gulbay Turkish Bakery: Gulbay Turkish Bakery offers a truly unique experience. The deliciousness of their bakery items is simply mouth-watering. With every bite, you can feel the freshness and warmth of their products.
Mado Café: Located in North York, Mado Café is known for its authentic Turkish Baklava, made with high-quality pistachios and a perfect balance of sweetness. Their Baklava is light, flaky, and delicious.
Conclusion: Discovering Asia's Culinary Treasures in Toronto
Middle Eastern cuisine is rich and full of discoveries which people only start to realize recently. As the traditional Mexican food ranges from spicy to savory, to sweet to fragrant, everyone is always guaranteed a good meal. So, next time you think of Middle Eastern food, remember there’s much more to discover beyond hummus. Embark on a culinary adventure and savor the diverse dishes that this rich cuisine has to offer.
~Deepak Chatwani July 26, 2024