This Za'atar spiced chickpea salad with feta and mint is a great summer salad option.

Tabbouleh is a traditional Lebanese salad made with a great deal of chopped flat-leaf parsley and varying amounts of burghul, green onion, mint, olive oil and lemon juice.

Ras el hanout is a Moroccan spice mixture meaning `top of the shelf’. The mixture varies from one merchant to another, but is always subtly savoury with a touch of heat. Note

Try something different with this delicious Middle Eastern specialty.

Light and colourful tomato salad with labne and za'atar, a Middle Eastern spice mixture.

Fig and pistachio couscous and baby spinach leaves make the perfect bed for tender, char-grilled lamb backstraps.

Harissa is a Moroccan sauce or paste made from dried chillies, cumin, garlic, oil and caraway seeds. Harissa paste, available in a tube. It is very hot and should not be used in large amounts. Bottled harissa sauce, while still hot, is milder. It is available from supermarkets and Middle-Eastern grocery stores. Note

If using bamboo skewers, soak in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent them scorching during cooking, or cover the ends with foil. For a simple tzatziki sauce, combine ¾ cup low-fat yoghurt, 1 clove crushed garlic and 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley in a small bowl. For a simple chilli tomato […]