Cuisine
Middle Eastern Sunday dinners
The cooking of the eastern Mediterranean and the Gulf: grains, pulses, herbs used by the handful rather than the sprig, and sourness from lemon, pomegranate or sumac in place of the vinegar Europe reaches for. It produces some of the best vegetarian food anywhere, largely by accident of tradition, and it holds at room temperature better than almost any other cuisine — which makes it forgiving for a table that sits down late.
6 plans in the Sunday Gallery.
What Middle Eastern plans look like
Most common mains
- chicken5
- lamb1
How they're cooked
- Roasted4
- Pan-seared2
The plans
- Middle Eastern · chickenLevant Sunday Family Supper
A bright, family-friendly Middle Eastern spread centered on quick pan-seared shawarma-style chicken, vibrant tabbouleh finished to order, creamy hummus and honey-sumac roasted carrots — designed for one cook to execute cleanly in under an hour from first oven preheat. Textures and flavors balance for adults and kids, with a tart pomegranate lemonade for the children and a dry rosé for the adults.
- Middle Eastern · chickenLevant Midweek Family Supper
Bright, family-friendly Middle Eastern supper centered on lemon-tahini chicken, herbaceous tabbouleh, creamy hummus and honeyed roasted carrots — simple techniques that layer fresh citrus, toasted spices and silky tahini for flavor the whole table will enjoy.
- Middle Eastern · lambLevantine Tuesday Family Supper
A bright Middle Eastern family supper built around herby, spiced kofta, creamy hummus, parsley-forward tabbouleh and sumac-roasted potatoes—simple techniques, bold flavors, and finishes timed so hot, crisp and fresh elements arrive at the table together.
- Middle Eastern · chickenLevant Sunday Supper
A bright, family-friendly Middle Eastern supper built around herb-scented roasted chicken, warm couscous studded with toasted pine nuts and raisins, honey-cumin carrots, a crisp fattoush dressed at the last minute, cooling yogurt-tahini, warm pita, and a mint lemonade spritz (kids) with a Provence rosé for adults — all timed so one cook completes the meal from a cold start within a single, tightly scheduled window.
- Middle Eastern · chickenLevant Family Supper
A bright, family-friendly Middle Eastern meal centered on sumac‑and‑lemon roasted chicken, herbed bulgur, and a parsley-rich tabbouleh; contrasts of warm roasted vegetables, creamy hummus and warm pita give hands-on rhythm and satisfying leftovers.
- Middle Eastern · chickenLevantine Family Supper
A bright, family-friendly Middle Eastern menu centered on sumac-roasted chicken, fragrant vermicelli rice, sweet cumin-roasted carrots, a crisp fattoush finished at the table, a cooling cucumber-yogurt dip, warm pita, and a minted lemon drink — clean, whole ingredients and mild flavors designed for adults and children alike.
By cooking method
Want a plan like these for your Sunday?
Five Sharp builds the whole dinner — recipes, timeline and shopping list — around what your household actually eats.