Arabian nights themed dinner ideas

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We are doing a big joint party for a couple of family members, and the theme is Arabian nights. It's in a village hall with great facilities, so no worries there! We love the idea of sharing food, and often go down this route (also makes it so much easier for sharing and more fun for everyone!)

I was thinking along the lines of huge mezze platters for starters, maybe spiced roast leg of lamb for mains, fattoush, jewelled cous cous and maybe a couple of hot sides, and no idea for pudding, but preferably cold for ease....

Does anyone have any brilliant ideas? We'd be equally happy doing a cold plated starter that we can get out well in advance, but really want to stick with the sharing idea for mains if possible.

I'm in charge (!) but have lots of helpers and a couple of days to get everything ready, and it's not till October, so plenty of time to plan.

Thanks all!

Sounds delicious can i come , turkish delight and baclava for afters and i will be there i wouldnt bother with starters as there will be plenty of choice with the mains

A semolina/polenta cake is a good idea and tastes better for having been made in advance
www.themediterraneandish.com/basbousa-almond-coconut-semolina-cake/
or
www.nigella.com/recipes/lemon-polenta-cake. This is more italian but I served in for pudding after a middle eastern style dinner and it went down really well with coffee.

Persian love cake - east and so tasty! www.abc.net.au/local/recipes/2014/10/03/4099903.htm

sounds wonderful.
My favourite middle eastern dessert is the cold spiced rice pudding with coconut and nuts in. Maybe something like that in little dishes that can be served up in advance to save you time?

Rosewater or orangewater flavoured yoghurt with diced crystalized fruits stirred into it, serve in individual pots garnished with dried rose petals.

Plates of real Turkish Delight are a must.

It all sounds fab!

Sounds lovely!

Another main dish idea would be a big pan if maqlouba (makloubi or similar spellings) - easy to make in advance and keep warm, and turn out at the venue. Should be plenty of recipes if you Google it. Or Shawarmas is another idea.

For dessert, you could make mahulabia in advance too (sweet rose water panna cotta type thing).

My dh is half Turkish and they make a delicious rice pudding with a sour cherry compote and pistachios, I don't like rice pudding but I shovel that in! Meze type thing would be nice for starter lots of dips, olives, flatbreads, stuffed vine leaves things like that. Also a 'jewelled' (pomagrante seeds, dried apricots ect) couscous is also delicious