FabulousFusionFood's West Asian Recipes Home Page

Map of Asia. The map of Asia, with West Asia (Middle East and Caucasus) shown in red.
Welcome to the summary page for FabulousFusionFood's West Asian recipes. This page provides links to all the West Asian recipes presented on this site, with 120 recipes in total.

These recipes, for the major part, originate in West Asia. Otherwise they are fusion recipes with major West Asian influences.

West Asia also called Western Asia or Southwest Asia, is the westernmost region of Asia. As defined by most academics, UN bodies and other institutions, the subregion consists of Anatolia, the Arabian Peninsula, Iran, Mesopotamia, the Armenian highlands, the Levant, the island of Cyprus, the Sinai Peninsula and the South Caucasus. The region is separated from Africa by the Isthmus of Suez in Egypt, and separated from Europe by the waterways of the Turkish Straits and the watershed of the Greater Caucasus. Central Asia lies to its northeast, while South Asia lies to its east. Twelve seas surround the region (clockwise): the Aegean Sea, the Sea of Marmara, the Black Sea, the Caspian Sea, the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman, the Arabian Sea, the Gulf of Aden, the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aqaba, the Gulf of Suez, and the Mediterranean Sea. West Asia contains the majority of the similarly defined Middle East. The Middle East is a political term that has changed many times depending on political and historical context while West Asia is a geographical term with more consistency. It excludes most of Egypt and the northwestern part of Turkey, and includes the southern part of the Caucasus.

West Asia covers an area of 5,994,935 km2 (2,314,657 sq mi), with a population of about 313 million. Of the 20 UN member countries fully or partly within the region, 13 are part of the Arab world. The most populous countries in West Asia are Iran, Turkey, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Yemen.

The term West Asia is used pragmatically and has no 'correct' or generally accepted definition. Its typical definitions overlap substantially, but not entirely, with definitions of the terms Middle East, Eastern Mediterranean, and Near East (which is historically familiar but widely deprecated today). The National Geographic Style Manual as well as Maddison's The World Economy: Historical Statistics (2003) by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) include only Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Palestine (called West Bank and Gaza in the latter), Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, UAE, and Yemen as West Asian countries.[10][11] By contrast, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in its 2015 yearbook includes Armenia and Azerbaijan, and excludes Israel (as Other) and Turkey (as Europe).

'Western Asia' was in use as a geographical term in the early 19th century, before 'Near East' became current as a geopolitical concept. In the context of the history of classical antiquity, 'Western Asia' could mean the part of Asia known in classical antiquity, as opposed to the reaches of 'interior Asia', i.e. Scythia, and 'Eastern Asia' the easternmost reaches of geographical knowledge in classical authors, i.e. Transoxania and India. In the 20th century, 'Western Asia' was used to denote a rough geographical era in the fields of archaeology and ancient history, especially as a shorthand for 'the Fertile Crescent excluding Ancient Egypt' for the purposes of comparing the early civilizations of Egypt and the former.

Three major tectonic plates converge on West Asia, including the African, Eurasian, and Arabian plates. The boundaries between the tectonic plates make up the Azores-Gibraltar Ridge, extending across North Africa, the Red Sea, and into Iran. The Arabian Plate is moving northward into the Anatolian plate (Turkey) at the East Anatolian Fault,[24] and the boundary between the Aegean and Anatolian plate in eastern Turkey is also seismically active.

The countries of West Asia are defined in the table below:

West Asia

Arms Flag Name of Territory Capital Name in Official Language(s)
Anatolia
The flag of Turkey. Turkey Ankara Türkiye Cumhuriyeti
Arabian Peninsula
The Arms of Bahrain. The Arms of Bahrain. Bahrain Manama مملكة البحرين (Arabic: Mamlakat al-Baḥrayn)
The Arms of Kuwait. The Flag of Kuwait. Kuwait Kuwait City دَوْلَة ٱلْكُوَيْت (Arabic: Dawla al-Kuwayt)
The Arms of the Oman. The Flag of the Oman. Oman Muscat ދިވެހިރާއްޖޭގެ ޖުމްހޫރިއްޔާسلطنة عُمان (Arabic: Salṭanat ʻUmān)
The Arms of Qatar. The Flag of Qatar. Qatar Doha دولة قطر (Arabic: Dawlat Qaṭar)
The Arms of Saudi Arabia. The Flag of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia Riyadh ٱلْمَمْلَكَة ٱلْعَرَبِيَّة ٱلسُّعُودِيَّة (Arabic: al-Mamlaka al-ʿArabiyya al-Suʿūdiyya)
The Arms of United Arab Emirates. The Flag of United Arab Emirates. United Arab Emirates Abu Dhabi الإمارات العربية المتحدة
The Arms of Yemen. The Flag of Yemen. Yemen Sana'a (Houthi-led government)
Aden (Seat of government)
ٱلْجُمْهُورِيَّةُ ٱلْيَمَنِيَّةُ (Arabic: al-Jumhūriyyatu l-Yamaniyyatu)
South Caucasus
The Arms of Abkhazia. The Arms of Abkhazia. Abkhazia
(unrecognised)
Sukhumi Аԥсны Аҳәынҭқарра (Abkhaz: Apsny Ahwyntqarra)
Республика Абхазия (Russian: Respublika Abkhaziya)
The Arms of Armenia. The Flag of Armenia. Armenia Yerevan Հայաստանի Հանրապետություն (Armenian: Hayastani Hanrapetut'yun)
The Arms of Azerbaijan. The Flag of Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan Baku Azərbaycan Respublikası
The Arms of Georgia. The Flag of Georgia. Gerorgia Tblisi საქართველო (Georgian: Sakartvelo)
The Arms of South Ossetia. The Flag of South Ossetia. South Ossetia
(Unrecognised)
Tskhinvali Республикӕ Хуссар Ирыстон Паддзахад Алани (Ossetian Respiblikae Khussar Iryston Paddzakhad Alani)/
სამხრეთ ოსეთის რესპუბლიკა ალანეთის სახელმწიფო (Georgian:Samkhret Osetis Resp’ublik’a Alanetis Sakhelmts’ipo)/
Республика Южная Осетия Государство Алания (Russian: Respublika Yuzhnaya Osetiya Gosudarstvo Alaniya)
Fertile Crescent
The Arms of Iraq. The Arms of Iraq. Iraq Baghdad جُمْهُورِيَّة ٱلْعِرَاق (Arabic: Jumhūriyya al-ʿIrāq)
کۆماری عێراق (Kurdish: Komarî Êraq)
The Arms of Israel. The Flag of Israel. Israel Jerusalem מְדִינַת יִשְׂרָאֵל/دَوْلَة إِسْرَائِيل
The Arms of Jordan. The Flag of Jordan. Jordan Amman المملكة الأردنية الهاشمية (Arabic: al-Mamlakah al-ʾUrdunniyah al-Hāshimiyah)
The Flag of Lebanon. Lebanon Beiruit الجمهورية اللبنانية (Arabic: al-Jumhūrīyah al-Lubnānīyah)
The Arms of Palestine. The Flag of Palestine. Palestine Ramallah دولة فلسطين (Arabic: Dawlat Filasṭīn)
The Arms of Syria. The Flag of Syria. Syria Damascus الجمهورية العربية السورية (Arabic: al-Jumhūriyya al-ʿArabiyya as-Sūriya)
Iranian Plateau
The Arms of Iran. The Arms of Iran. Iran Tehran جمهوری اسلامی ایران (Persian: Jomhuri-ye Eslâmi-ye Irân)
Mediterranean Sea
The Arms of Akrotiri and Dhekelia. Akrotiri and Dhekelia Episkopi Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia
The Arms of Cyprus. The Flag of Cyprus. Cyprus Nicosia Κυπριακή Δημοκρατία (Greek)/Kıbrıs Cumhuriyeti (Turkish)
The Arms of Northern Cyprus. The Flag of Northern Cyprus. Northern Cyprus
(Unrecognised)
North Nicosia Kuzey Kıbrıs Türk Cumhuriyeti (Turkish)
Sinai Peninsula
The Arms of Egypt. The Arms of Egypt. Egypt Cairo جمهورية مصر العربية (Arabic: Jumhūrīyat Miṣr al-ʻArabīyah)


The alphabetical list of all the West Asian recipes on this site follows, (limited to 100 recipes per page). There are 120 recipes in total:

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Abgousht
(Persian Beef Stew)
     Origin: Iran
Hinbeh B'zeit
(Dandelion Greens with Caramelized
Onions)
     Origin: Lebanon
Lountza
(Smoked Pork Loin)
     Origin: Cyprus
Adas Polo
(Rice with Lentils)
     Origin: Iran
Iflaghun
     Origin: Syria
Makaronia Pastitsio
(Macaroni with Minced Meat and Bechamel
Sauce)
     Origin: Cyprus
Aish Baladi
     Origin: Egypt
Ispanaklı Kek
(Spinach Cake)
     Origin: Turkey
Mankoushe
(Lebanese Pizza Dough)
     Origin: Lebanon
Ancient Egyptian Flatbread
     Origin: Egypt
Israeli Mamul
(Israeli Date Pastries)
     Origin: Israel
Massak'a
(Egyptian Moussaka)
     Origin: Egypt
Ancient Egyptian Tigernut Sweetmeats
     Origin: Egypt
Ka'ak Biscuits
     Origin: Lebanon
Matzo Bread
     Origin: Israel
Aruk Khass
(Lettuce Fritters)
     Origin: Iraq
Kabab Kubideh
(Grilled Minced Meat)
     Origin: Iran
Matzo Brei
     Origin: Israel
Ash Guznh Mazndrana
(Mazandarani Style Nettle Soup)
     Origin: Iran
Kabob Egyptienne
(Egyptian Kebabs)
     Origin: Egypt
Melokhia
     Origin: Egypt
Atar Allecha
(Spiced Green Pea Purée)
     Origin: Egypt
Kebab Halla
(Stewed Beef)
     Origin: Egypt
Molokhia
(Egyptian Greens Soup)
     Origin: Egypt
Baghali Shevid Polow
(Lima Bean with Dill Rice)
     Origin: Iran
Kebbe Blaban
(Kebbe in Yoghurt Sauce)
     Origin: Lebanon
Molokhia
     Origin: Egypt
Baklawa
     Origin: Egypt
Kharroob
(Egyptian Carob Drink)
     Origin: Egypt
Musakhkhan
(Baked Chicken and Onions With Sumac)
     Origin: Palestine
Bamia
(Okra in Tomato Sauce)
     Origin: Egypt
Khmeli-Suneli
     Origin: Georgia
Palpina
(Purslane and Lentil Soup)
     Origin: Iran
Batatis Mahshiya
(Stuffed Potatoes)
     Origin: Egypt
Khoresh B'Amieh
(Okra Stew)
     Origin: Iran
Paskalya Çöreği
(Turkish Easter Bread)
     Origin: Turkey
Batingan Mekhali
(Pickled Aubergines)
     Origin: Egypt
Khoresht-e Loobia
(Stewed Mutton with String Beans)
     Origin: Iran
Perfect Steamed Rice
     Origin: Asia
Braaied Flatbreads
     Origin: Turkey
Khoresht-e Zereshk
(Barberry, Lamb and Nut Stew)
     Origin: Iran
Persian Leg of Lamb
     Origin: Iran
Cheese Baklava
     Origin: Syria
Khoreshte Kalal
(Lamb Stew with Barberry Sauce)
     Origin: Iran
Persian Lentils with Orange Juice and
Angelica

     Origin: Iran
Chelo Kabab Koobideh
     Origin: Iran
Khoubz Araby
(Arabic Flatbread)
     Origin: Syria
Peynirli Künefe
(Turkish Cheesecake)
     Origin: Turkey
Cheoreg
(Armenian Sweet Bread)
     Origin: Armenia
Kibbeh
     Origin: Lebanon
Pita Bread
     Origin: Turkey
Chuoereg
(Armenian Easter Bread)
     Origin: Armenia
Kıbrıs Pidesi
(Cypriot Pita Bread)
     Origin: Cyprus
Portakalli Kek
(Orange Cake)
     Origin: Turkey
Çiokolatalı Sos
(Turkish Chocolate Sauce)
     Origin: Turkey
Koozy
(Leg of Lamb)
     Origin: Iraq
Qamar-el-Deen
(Apricot Leather Drink)
     Origin: Egypt
Colocassi Tsakristo
(Taro and Pork Stew)
     Origin: Cyprus
Koshari
(Lentils, Pasta and Rice)
     Origin: Egypt
Qatri Chicken Curry
     Origin: Qatar
Cypriot Pitta Bread
(Envelope Bread)
     Origin: Cyprus
Koshari
(Egyptian lentils)
     Origin: Egypt
Quamar-el-Deen Dessert
(Dried Apricot Leather Dessert)
     Origin: Bahrain
Cypriot Souvlaki
     Origin: Cyprus
Kotmis Satsivi
(Roast Chicken with Walnut Sauce)
     Origin: Georgia
Rangeenak
(Persian Date Dessert)
     Origin: Iran
Dopiazeh
     Origin: Iran
Koushari
(Lentils, Macaroni and Rice in Oil)
     Origin: Egypt
Rizogalo
(Rice Pudding)
     Origin: Cyprus
Dukkah
     Origin: Egypt
Koushry
(Rice with Lentils)
     Origin: Egypt
Roz Bi Haleeb
(Arab Rice Pudding with Mastic)
     Origin: Lebanon
Egyptian Basboosa
(Semolina Cake)
     Origin: Egypt
Kuku Kadoo
(Persian Courgette Omelette)
     Origin: Iran
Roz bi Laban
(Egyptian Rice Pudding)
     Origin: Egypt
Fesenjoon
(Persian Chicken)
     Origin: Iran
Lahm bi Agine Mankoushe
(Lebanese Lamb Pizza)
     Origin: Lebanon
Sabzi Polo
(Herbed Rice)
     Origin: Iran
Fool Medames
(Egyptian Beans)
     Origin: Egypt
Lahma Mu'assaga
(Savoury Minced Lamb)
     Origin: Egypt
Saniyit Kufta
(Baked Beef Patties)
     Origin: Egypt
Gazaneh
(Iranian Nettle Soup)
     Origin: Iran
Lamb Burgers with Mint and Pine Nuts
     Origin: Cyprus
Shourabit Silq bi Laban
(Chard and Yoghurt Soup)
     Origin: Lebanon
Gormeh Sabzi
(Persian Lamb and Herb Stew)
     Origin: Iran
Lamb Shashliks with Rosemary and
Garlic

     Origin: Turkey
Soupa Avgolemono
(Rice Soup with Egg and Lemon Sauce)
     Origin: Cyprus
Halawa Tahiniya
(Sesame Seed Paste Halva)
     Origin: Egypt
Lamb Stifado
     Origin: Cyprus
Türk Kahvesi
(Turkish Coffee)
     Origin: Turkey
Halva
     Origin: Iran
Lebanese Sabaa Baharat
     Origin: Lebanon
Ta'amia
(Egyptian Falafel)
     Origin: Egypt
Halva
     Origin: Lebanon
Limonata
(Lemonade)
     Origin: Turkey
Tabbouleh
     Origin: Lebanon
Hamam Meshwi
(Char-grilled Pigeon)
     Origin: Egypt
Limoo Amani
(Persian Dried Limes)
     Origin: Iran
Harees
     Origin: United Arab Emirates
Lokma
(Syrup-drenched Doughnuts)
     Origin: Turkey

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