Middle Eastern spices

[ladylove]

DH's uncle just sent a dozen or so different spices from the Middle East, including several types of masala, curry, appetizer (daqoose) powder, and black lemon powder.

Any suggestions on great - and authentically Middle Eastern - dishes to make? Meat or veg.

I made an awesome curry already, but have no idea what to do with the daqoose or black lemon powders.

[velochic]

Hmmm... my dh is from the Middle East but it's a big place and it sounds like these spices are from regions influenced by south-central Asia, specifically Pakistan or India. I've never even heard of this appetizer powder you mentioned. And I've never had anything with curry or masala when we are back visiting friends and family... then again, as I said "the Middle East" is a big place, and these might be spices used in places closer to Afghanistan where there is a Pakistani/Indian influence vs. Turkey, Lebanon, Syria which is the cuisine that I personally know from the in-laws.

Where is your uncle who sent them? They could be very specific to the region and not "general" Middle Eastern spices. When we go back to visit the family or see friends, the spices I encounter (and bring back from the spice bazaar) are things like cumin, cloves, cardamom, mint (I know, not a spice), sumac, anise, paprika, etc.

[BlueLeaf]

Experiment with them. I like to add different spices to plain yogurt with some lemon juice, then marinade chicken in it for several hours, then grill it. You could also make a tomato-based sauce and simmer chopped up meat and veggies in it.

[ladylove]

then again, as I said "the Middle East" is a big place

Very true!

The spices are from Bahrain, a small island off the east coast of Saudi Arabia. I thik the food is more Arab in influence, rather than Indian, but I'm not sure.

Thanks for the ideas, BlueLeaf!

[Otto]

I'm getting the impression that 'daqoose' is دقوس , referring to seasoning for the spicy tomato sauce (daqoos/dakkous/etc.). Does it look like the middle bottle here?

[ladylove]

Originally Posted by Otto

I'm getting the impression that 'daqoose' is دقوس , referring to seasoning for the spicy tomato sauce (daqoos/dakkous/etc.). Does it look like the middle bottle here?

Yes, it does! Spicy tomato sauce sounds great...I'll hunt around for a starter recipe. Thank you!

[velochic]

Sure, I know where Bahrain is. Much closer to Pakistan and India than Turkey (where dh is from). I've eaten a dish, that I think is Saudi, called Al Kabsa and it is highly spiced. I've never made it myself, but it probably uses some of the spices you were sent and can be googled, I'm sure. I think throughout the region bulghur (cracked wheat) is eaten as a pilaf and there are many ways you can spice it (really delicious with cinnamon, cloves, and pine nuts). The way my MIL taught me to make it is probably different than other regions south and not on the Mediterranean, but you can look up bulghur or rice pilaf recipes. There's always falafal, of course. And I'm sure they eat a lot of lamb. There are so many delicious ways to spice lamb and make shwarma or shish, etc. Enjoy your spices and have fun!