A World of Flavor

Before hummus was on the shopping list of every health-minded North American and tahini was sold in every grocery store, I had the good fortune of being introduced to authentic Middle Eastern cuisine. In my early twenties, I dated an Iraqi man who grew up in Abu Dhabi. His mom was an incredible cook, and over the span of our relationship, I got a steady introduction to a whole new world of foods – things I might not have tried until years later. Over several years, I was offered saucy spoonfuls of eggplant and okra-based dishes, an irresistible meat pizza called lahm bi ajeen, dolma, date-stuffed cookies and, perhaps my favorite, Middle Eastern braided cheese (which goes by jibneh mshallaleh and many other names). Coming from a small Canadian city of simple tastes, my culinary world blew wide open with every spice-filled bite.

What many people don’t realize, though, is that the Middle East is not a monolith. It’s made up of many subregions, all with their own twists, takes and terms for their region’s celebrated dishes. The culinary variances of the Middle East are so nuanced that traditions and ingredients vary not only by region but even from one family to the next.

After a difficult year of stasis that stripped us down to simplicity in every imaginable way, we decided to go beyond the plain backyard burger and other predictable grilled goods in favor of something more worldly. We were lucky to collaborate with Himi Hunaidi, an acclaimed Palestinian chef and owner of Toronto restaurant-turned-bodega Madame Levant (named after the Levant region, the countries of the Eastern Mediterranean) on A Levantine Grilling Feast. One scroll through this story will have you grabbing your tote and heading for the market so you can cook up these stunning, storied dishes from this pocket of the Middle East.

But big flavors don’t have to mean mile-long ingredient lists and daylong cooking marathons, especially when it comes to summertime cooking and meal prep. Which is why we’re staying true to a summer theme that never goes out of style: minimal ingredients and quick, simple recipes. Here’s to sunnier days ahead, a delicious summer and, hopefully, a few trips to the Levant from your backyard.

— Alicia Tyler, Editorial Director

Host a Levantine Grilling Feast at Home

You may not have heard the term “Levantine” before, but you’ve likely tasted the cuisine — think creamy hummus, perfectly spiced chicken skewers and garlicky, lemony eggplant dip. These delicious dishes come from the geographical area of the Eastern Mediterranean, or the Levantine region, which shares many cultural, linguistic and culinary traits.

We reached out to acclaimed chef Himi Hunaidi to bring a taste of Levantine cuisine to Clean Eating. Born and raised in Jordan, Hunaidi is of Palestinian descent and spent her school breaks and summers in Egypt, Lebanon and Syria. Later, she was trained as a chef in the south of France before founding her own Toronto-based restaurant.

Hunaidi translated Middle Eastern flavors into simple, easy backyard dishes for summer and beyond. You can bring the flavors of the Middle East to your own barbecue with this array of easy recipes. From bright Halloumi-Stuffed Peppers to fragrant Lamb & Apricot Skewers paired with a standout homemade sauce to vibrant, tradition-inspired Muhammara Salad, these recipes will quickly become new favorites for dinners, cookouts and warm-weather gatherings.

We hope you enjoy these recipes as much as we did! »

Fire up your grill for the holiday weekend ahead:

You Can Grill That? Try These Foods for Your Next BBQ

Tired of grilling nothing but burgers, chicken breasts and other proteins? It's time to think outside the box and try totally new foods! From fruits to pizzas to desserts, we've got a bunch of ideas that all taste fantastic with the smoke and char of the grill. Get some inspiration for your 4th of July cookout and check out how you can change up your go-to grilled foods

6 Healthier Grilling Tips

Healthy grilling isn't just about the food you're putting on the BBQ. How you're grilling – and how you're handling elements like heat, flames and grill cleanup – can potentially harm your health. We're sharing 6 handy tips to ensure everything you barbecue is both delicious and safe to eat.

Embrace Plant-Based Grilling This Summer

Have you ever been to a barbecue and felt like the bulk of the dishes revolved around meat? While burgers, steaks and chops might be traditional, plant-based barbecuing is the way of the future. And grilling up plant-based foods can be totally delicious too! We've got fresh, healthy ideas you'll want to try over the long weekend.

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What we've been reading this week:

Our veggie-rich Mid-East Cobb Salad deserves a place on your menu this weekend! Inspired by the Sabich sandwich, it's fresh, filling and fast.

The Pink Punch Smoothie from Better Nutrition is the perfect summer bev to sip, and it packs plenty of fruits and veggies in every sip.

Cicadas are back – and they're one of the biggest food trends of the summer. We're sharing why eating cicadas is so cool at Clean Eating.

Are you feeding your body what it needs during the hottest season of the year? These summer nutrition tips from Women's Running will help.

If you're new to meat-free eating, Vegetarian Times has a handy, helpful guide to everything plant-based.

Are you getting enough fiber? This nutrient impacts weight loss, mental health and more. Discover why you should eat more fiber at Oxygen.

Make your summer travels eco-friendly! Learn key sustainable travel tips for your next vacation at Vegetarian Times.

Sunny, warm days are here – but so are pests like mosquitoes and ticks. Try these natural insect repellents and remedies from Yoga Journal.

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