Though often utilizing similar ingredients and cultural tastes, Middle Eastern Food can refer to a wide range of cuisines, from North African to Turkish, from Armenian to Israeli. The dishes frequently contain flatbreads such as pita and legumes such as chickpeas or beans. Many dishes do not include meat, making Middle Eastern cuisine a great option for vegetarians.
Cuisine Characteristics
Middle Eastern cuisine is defined by the region and the traditions of the people that live there. With the warm climate, foods like grapes, lemons, olives, mint, parsley and eggplant are commonly grown and found in many dishes. Because pork is neither kosher nor halal, most Jews and Muslims do not eat it, and it is thus a rarity in Middle Eastern food. Lamb or mutton are much more common than beef. Because the Koran forbids alcohol, Middle Eastern dishes are not cooked in wine or other alcoholic beverages.
