Authentic Lebanese Balila

Make authentic Lebanese Balila with this easy recipe. Learn how to transform warm, tender chickpeas with garlic, lemon, and cumin for a healthy breakfast.

Manakish with Four Toppings:

Manakish (the plural form of man’oushe) is a beloved, traditional Lebanese breakfast food. If you walk through any major city in Lebanon early in the morning, the air is filled with the warm aroma of these fresh bakes. Made from a soft, yeasted manousheh dough and pressed with iconic toppings—ranging from the earthy, wild thyme blend known as za’atar to melted akkawi cheese, savory kishk, or fresh spiced vegetables—manakish is far more than just a side dish.

Kaak Al Abbas

Kaak Al Abbas can be prepared and enjoyed at any time of the year, including suhoor and many other special occasions. It is not exclusively reserved for Ashura. Pair with labneh and a cup of tea for a satisfying suhoor.

Makdous (Lebanese Preserved Eggplants in Oil):

Learn how to make authentic Makdous, a traditional Middle Eastern delicacy of baby eggplants stuffed with walnuts, garlic, and red bell peppers, preserved in rich olive oil.

Shanklish

Often described as the Middle Eastern equivalent of blue cheese, Shanklish is an aged cheese popular in Lebanon, Syria, and Turkey. It is usually coated in zaatar or Aleppo pepper. The most popular way to serve it is crumbled and tossed with diced tomatoes, onions, fresh parsley, and a generous drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Scoop it up with warm pita bread for a delicious traditional breakfast!

Musabaha:

Wondering what makes Musabaha different from hummus? Discover this warm, rustic Lebanese chickpea dish bathed in nutty tahini, lemon juice, and fresh garlic.

Foul Mudammas

Although beans for breakfast may seem unusual in some cultures, Foul Mudammas (also spelled Ful) is a beloved Middle Eastern breakfast staple, particularly in Lebanon and Egypt. This hearty fava bean dish is flavorful, affordable, filling, and naturally vegan. Packed with plant-based protein, fiber, iron, and magnesium, it has been enjoyed across the Middle East for generations.

Kaak Al Asrieh

A quintessential Lebanese street bread, this sesame-coated, handbag-shaped roll is crispy on the outside and chewy inside. Traditionally baked in a flame oven and sold by street vendors in Beirut, it makes a delicious on-the-go snack or a simple breakfast with a cup of tea.

Kaleeta/ North Lebanese Flat Kaak

These sesame-covered round loaves are a popular breakfast choice in Tripoli, Lebanon, found in neighborhood bakeries and roadside stands. Slightly crisp on the outside and thicker than pita bread, they are especially delicious stuffed with cheese and grilled until golden, with a crisp crust and a warm, melted center. A hearty Lebanese breakfast or snack!

Homemade Simit (Turkish Sesame Bread)

Simit, the iconic Turkish bread ring, is beautifully round, pleasantly chewy, and enjoyed throughout Turkey as a daily snack or as part of a traditional breakfast spread!

Round chewy bread rings found evreywhere in Turkey, serve it with white cheese and a cup of tea.

Lebanese Sweet Kaak:

These crispy, crunchy Lebanese sweet kaak cookies make a lovely quick suhoor especially dunked in hot milk or tea. Flavored with aromatic anise seeds and mahlab and coated in nutty sesame seeds, they are a familiar sight in bakery windows throughout Lebanon.

Meshtah:

A regional flat bread that is native to Southern Lebanon and one of the dishes that conjures up blissful memories of Ramadan and specifically Suhoor!

Homemade Granola

An energy-boosting suhoor that serves as a good source of protein and fiber, this homemade granola can be whipped up easily using ingredients most likely already found in your pantry.

Yogurt Balls

Labneh balls (also known as yogurt balls or labneh korat) are a traditional Middle Eastern dairy delicacy preserved in olive oil for an extended shelf life. Perfect for suhoor or as an appetizer, these homemade yogurt cheese balls offer a rich, tangy flavor and a creamy texture similar to spreadable goat cheese.

Zaatar and Sumac Crackers

These crispy zaatar and sumac crackers are perfect for serving with labneh, olives, hummus, dips, or salsas. They also make a delicious suhoor and are simply delectable alongside a platter of assorted cheeses. Zaatar and sumac are a divine flavor combination, bringing together the earthy, aromatic notes of zaatar and the tangy, citrusy taste of sumac in every crunchy bite!

Homemade Lebanese Cheese

Jibneh Baladi, also known as Jibneh Baladieh or Jibneh Khadra (جبنة بلدي / جبنة بلدية), is a traditional Lebanese white cheese known for its firm texture, fresh taste, and ability to be easily sliced.

Labneh with Garlicky Cherry Tomatoes and Dukkah

With this Labneh with Garlicky Cherry Tomatoes and Dukkah recipe, you’ll take a simple, classic Lebanese spread like labneh and transform it into a festive-looking plate with multiple layers of textures and flavors. The creamy labneh, sweet and garlicky cherry tomatoes, and crunchy, aromatic dukkah come together to create a beautiful Lebanese appetizer that tastes as good as it looks.

 Arayes

I bet you all know Lebanese Arayes, those pita pockets stuffed with seasoned ground lamb or beef and grilled until beautifully crispy. But these Lebanese Sfeeha Arayes are a little different from the traditional Kafta Arayes! They follow the same concept, but instead of kafta filling, we use the deliciously spiced meat filling traditionally used for Sfeeha (Lebanese Meat Pies).

Zucchini Scrambled Eggs (Kousa Wbeid)

Zucchini scrambled eggs, or Kousa Wbeid as we call it in Lebanon, is one of those wonderfully simple dishes that proves you don’t need a long list of ingredients to create something delicious. Light, comforting, and wonderfully satisfying.

Mfaraket Batata

Lebanese-Style Spaghetti with Yogurt

Made with a handful of basic ingredients, this traditional Lebanese spaghetti with yogurt is creamy, delicious, and wonderfully easy to whip up for a quick, comforting meal that is gentle on the stomach before the fasting hours begin.

Date Walnut Bread

Rich, decadent, and deeply comforting, this Date Walnut Bread is a absolute dream. It is incredibly tender, balancing the natural sweetness of Medjool dates with the crunch of toasted walnuts under a beautiful sugar icing glaze. It warms my heart to know that so many of my readers love this recipe just as much as I do!

Zucchini Scrambled Eggs: A one skillet meal that is fluffy, light and delicious

Fruity Mango Salad

Who said that a fruit salad has to be made just of fruits? If you are bored of the classic salads, I have got a real winner for you—a vitamin-packed combination of fruity goodness and peppery arugula, all dressed with a sweet and tangy vinaigrette!

Fruity Grilled Nectarine Salad