Middle Eastern Side Dishes

When I am planning a barbecue, I usually know right away what main food dishes I want to cook. But then I start to wonder what dishes will I serve alongside them. I could throw some chips in a bowl or make up a vegetable platter, but I want something a little more that will make my barbecue a interesting and memorable. Middle Eastern cuisine can easily be barbecue friendly, both as main dishes an…

Traditional pilaf gets new life with the addition of chickpeas! Chickpeas offer fantastic flavor and texture to this tasty side dish.

The chickpea gets new life with some spice! This dish is full of flavor and can be eaten hot or cold. Perfect on the go meal!

Though glazed sweet potatoes are oftentimes reserved for the holidays, this Middle Eastern twist using pomegranate juice makes a side dish to be enjoyed anytime of the year!

Carrots with cardamom is an excellent recipe who loves cardamom. This carrot recipe is great for the holidays !

These sauteed potatoes are the perfect side dish to any meal. Imagine sliced potatoes, sauteed in olive oil, with parsley and cumin - delicious!

Try this Middle Eastern version of traditional potato salad! This is a much healthier version too.

Forget boiling fresh corn on the cob and fire up the grill! Grilled corn on the cob is the perfect side dish for any BBQ main course.

Pomegranate stuffing is a nice twist on a traditional favorite! Great for stuffing a turkey or to accompany any poultry dish.

Stuffed potaotes are absolutely delicious! Peeled potatoes, stuffed with ground beef and spices, then baked to perfection make a great main course or side dish.

Steamed asparagus with lemon is the perfect side dish. Not only is it easy to make, it has few ingredients. Completely foolproof!

Learn how to make grilled asparagus with lemon and mint. The grilled asparagus recipe is easy and tastes fantastic!

Green beans with pine nuts recipe. Learn how to make steamed green beans, covered in butter sauce with a hint of garlic, sprinkled with toasted pine nuts.

Recipe for couscous with apricots. This recipe for couscous with aprictos calls for couscous, dried apricots, green onions, and salt.

Recipe for grilled eggplant. Grilled eggplant is an excellent side dish to any meal!

Learn how to make french fries. French fries are often served with shawarma or in other wraps in the Middle East. This french fries recipe is super easy!

LEarn how to master grilling vegetables like eggplant, zucchini, squash and onions in this tempting Middle Eastern side dish recipe.

This stuffed squash recipe is perfect for summertime feasts. This recipe for koosa is easy and requires very little skill and ingredients.

Shashoukeh is a fried tomato dish with peppers. You can make this recipe spicier bu adding hotter peppers. It all depends on your taste. Shakshoukeh makes a nice snack or side dish.

This recipe for mashed sweet potatoes is fantastic. The potatoes and spices really make it an original side dish.

Arnabeet bel Lamoun is cauliflower with simmered with garlic, olive oil and lemon. It is cooked just until soft, but still with a little crisp.

Recipe for mujadarra, a lentils and rice side dish with tons of flavor.

Recipe for anabeet mekleh, a fried cauliflower dish popular in Lebanon.

Recipe for salatat bathinjan, or fried eggplant. Salatat bathinjan can be served as a side dish or as an appetizer. Either way, it's delicious!

Recipe for the lebanese style of preparing rice.

Patates salatasi is the Turkish way of making potato salad. It is very similar to American potato salad, but with more spices and no mayonnaise.

This is a fabulous, hearty dish that can be used as a side or main dish.

Broccoli gets new life with a burst of sesame flavor.

Learn how to steam fresh broccoli in this tutorial about steaming fresh broccoli. Broccoli is chock full of nutrients we need for optimum health.

Steamed squash makes a great side dish for any meal. Try it with chicken and other poultry dishes.

Want to make steamed asparagus to go with that amazing chicken recipe? Learn how to make steamed asparagus in this easy to prepare recipe.

Learn how to make grill mushrooms in this easy recipe using a few key ingredients.

Most people find that grilled carrots are quite delicious -- an expected flavor! This recipe is perfect for moms and dads on the go who want an easy side dish that is healthy.

Learn how to make za'atar carrots in this easy recipe that is full of flavor.