People coming over. I fancy doing something vaguely middle eastern? Anyone want to give me some ideas?

[floorchid]

I'm thinking a big bowl of couscous with roasted courgette and baby toms etc.
Might have to do a quinoa alternative too because couscous not gluten free and one of the guests is.

Some sort of aubergine something? Or stuffed capsicum? Or.... maybe something with beans or cheese?

And most of the people are vegetarian so meat not really important but I'll probably roast a chicken with lemon and herbs for those who can't manage a meal without flesh.

I won't do a starter but I'll do a big mahamara dip or maybe fried halloumi for pre-dinner snacks.

And I suppose I should plan a desert.

Any suggestions?

This but with quinoa (it’s really not a salad)
some spiced potatoes on the side if you want and another veg?

Apricot and Chipotle Halloumi Salad With Herby Couscous
www.ocado.com/recipe?recipeId=129799&animated=1

I wonder if I could do a tagine type of thing in the slow cooker?

This is AMAZING.

www.thekitchn.com/appetizer-recipe-pomegranate-olive-relish-recipes-from-the-kitchn-181181

I make labneh by straining Greek yoghurt through muslin to accompany it.

This is nice

www.recipetineats.com/vegetable-tagine/

@dinmin that sounds delicious but the link just takes me to Ocado.

Omg that pomegranate olive thing looks amazing.

Yes, good tagine recipe.

Baklava for dessert?

That's a great idea because I can just buy it!!

One of the guests wants to bring a veggie quiche - that sort of goes I think.

Baklava and strong coffee is a great dessert. But if you change your mind then this yogurt and honey cheesecake is also amazing amp.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2018/mar/03/yotam-ottolenghi-recipes-mothers-day-lamb-koftas-honey-yoghurt-cheescake

A tagine- I do mine in a pan in the hob sometimes.
Fatoush salad (with flat bread 'croutons')
Various dips, pickles and hot flat bread are a standard middle Eastern starter and nice too
Lamb kebabs in the grill? Falafel? Ask quite easy to do and popular.

Google the name then

Yes, just did that and it does look good.

Falafel!! Yesss!

I wish I had an air fryer. I had falafel at a friend's house and they did them in the air fryer. Amazing.

A tagine is so versatile and can have any number of different veggies added. The spicing is so lovely. Subtle and warming - not harsh.

I've also got 5 ripe avocados. I should probably use them.

I second fatoush salad and there are fabulous aubergine recipes here, particularly the curried yogurt one https://ottolenghi.co.uk/pages/aubergine-recipes

I am a bit obsessed with Yotam Ottolenghi recipes. And aubergines. Sadly no-one else in my family likes aubergines. I’ve told DH that one day, when the kids leave home, we’ll eat aubergine once a week. He can’t wait

Lamb koftas for the meat eaters? You could make flatbreads and tzatziki. Nigella has some good recipes.

It is amazing but takes overnight to set properly in case you want to try it OP!

also I feel my guests did not appreciate it enough for the level of effort 😂

I love aubergines. They're my favourite vegetable. Everyone I tell thinks it's weird.

Right. I am now in danger of attempting to do far too much.

I need to hone the plan.

Please don’t do a tagine. I’m Middle Eastern, and it really bugs me that everyone thinks that this North African dish is Middle Eastern and have it as their go to when wanting to cook something Middle Eastern. My MIL loves to cook it for me and expects me to know all about it when I know as much as the next person!

I bloody love aubergines. My family hate them too but I cook them anyway because there has to be some upside to being the person in charge of what everyone eats every single day until I die.

I promise I will never do tagine when you come to dinner @Aysegull .

If you want to cook aubergines, something like this is good:

https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/iraqi-lamb-kofta-kebabs