FabulousFusionFood's West Asian Recipes Home Page
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 619 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. 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, 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:
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. 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, 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 | ||||
| Turkey | Ankara | Türkiye Cumhuriyeti | ||
| Arabian Peninsula | ||||
| Bahrain | Manama | مملكة البحرين (Arabic: Mamlakat al-Baḥrayn) | ||
| Kuwait | Kuwait City | دَوْلَة ٱلْكُوَيْت (Arabic: Dawla al-Kuwayt) | ||
| Oman | Muscat | ދިވެހިރާއްޖޭގެ ޖުމްހޫރިއްޔާسلطنة عُمان (Arabic: Salṭanat ʻUmān) | ||
| Qatar | Doha | دولة قطر (Arabic: Dawlat Qaṭar) | ||
| Saudi Arabia | Riyadh | ٱلْمَمْلَكَة ٱلْعَرَبِيَّة ٱلسُّعُودِيَّة (Arabic: al-Mamlaka al-ʿArabiyya al-Suʿūdiyya) | ||
| United Arab Emirates | Abu Dhabi | الإمارات العربية المتحدة | ||
| Yemen | Sana'a (Houthi-led government) Aden (Seat of government) |
ٱلْجُمْهُورِيَّةُ ٱلْيَمَنِيَّةُ (Arabic: al-Jumhūriyyatu l-Yamaniyyatu) | ||
| South Caucasus | ||||
| Abkhazia (unrecognised) |
Sukhumi | Аԥсны Аҳәынҭқарра (Abkhaz: Apsny Ahwyntqarra) Республика Абхазия (Russian: Respublika Abkhaziya) |
||
| Armenia | Yerevan | Հայաստանի Հանրապետություն (Armenian: Hayastani Hanrapetut'yun) | ||
| Azerbaijan | Baku | Azərbaycan Respublikası | ||
| Georgia | Tblisi | საქართველო (Georgian: Sakartvelo) | ||
| 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 | ||||
| Iraq | Baghdad | جُمْهُورِيَّة ٱلْعِرَاق (Arabic: Jumhūriyya al-ʿIrāq) کۆماری عێراق (Kurdish: Komarî Êraq) |
||
| Israel | Jerusalem | מְדִינַת יִשְׂרָאֵל/دَوْلَة إِسْرَائِيل | ||
| Jordan | Amman | المملكة الأردنية الهاشمية (Arabic: al-Mamlakah al-ʾUrdunniyah al-Hāshimiyah) | ||
| Lebanon | Beiruit | الجمهورية اللبنانية (Arabic: al-Jumhūrīyah al-Lubnānīyah) | ||
| Palestine | Ramallah | دولة فلسطين (Arabic: Dawlat Filasṭīn) | ||
| Syria | Damascus | الجمهورية العربية السورية (Arabic: al-Jumhūriyya al-ʿArabiyya as-Sūriya) | ||
| Iranian Plateau | ||||
| Iran | Tehran | جمهوری اسلامی ایران (Persian: Jomhuri-ye Eslâmi-ye Irân) | ||
| Mediterranean Sea | ||||
| Akrotiri and Dhekelia | Episkopi | Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia | ||
| Cyprus | Nicosia | Κυπριακή Δημοκρατία (Greek)/Kıbrıs Cumhuriyeti (Turkish) | ||
| Northern Cyprus (Unrecognised) |
North Nicosia | Kuzey Kıbrıs Türk Cumhuriyeti (Turkish) | ||
| Sinai Peninsula | ||||
| 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 619 recipes in total:
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| Abgousht (Persian Beef Stew) Origin: Iran | Armenian Basturma Origin: Armenia | Balık °C7;orbası (Mackerel Soup) Origin: Turkey |
| Abkhazia Achamykva Origin: Abkhazia | Armjanskij sup chechevicy (Armenian Lentil Soup) Origin: Armenia | Bamia (Okra in Tomato Sauce) Origin: Egypt |
| Abkhazia Ayladzh Origin: Abkhazia | Arni Kappamas (Lamb and Potatoes Cooked in Tomato Sauce) Origin: Cyprus | Bamieh (Okra Stew) Origin: Iraq |
| Abkhazia Mamalyga Origin: Abkhazia | Arni me Fasolia (Lamb with Haricot Beans) Origin: Cyprus | Bamies Yiahni (Okra with Tomato Sauce) Origin: Cyprus |
| Abysta (Cornmeal Polemnta) Origin: Abkhazia | Arni me kounouppidhi Mesaritico (Lamb with Cauliflower à la Mesaorias) Origin: Cyprus | Bamya °C7;orbası (Okra Soup) Origin: Turkey |
| Achapa (Walnut Lobio) Origin: Abkhazia | Arni me Spanaki (Lamb with Spinach) Origin: Cyprus | Barazek (Syrian Sesame Biscuits) Origin: Syria |
| Adana Kebab Origin: Turkey | Arni Psito (Oven-baked Lamb) Origin: Cyprus | Basterma (Spiced Dried Meat) Origin: Armenia |
| Adana Kebap Origin: Turkey | Arni Souvla (Skewered Lamb) Origin: Cyprus | Basturma (Spiced Dried Meat) Origin: Georgia |
| Adas Polo (Rice with Lentils) Origin: Iran | Arni Ttavas (Oven-roasted Lamb with Onions) Origin: Cyprus | Batatis Mahshiya (Stuffed Potatoes) Origin: Egypt |
| Adjarian Khachapuri (Georgian Cheese Pies) Origin: Georgia | Aruk Khass (Lettuce Fritters) Origin: Iraq | Batingan Mekhali (Pickled Aubergines) Origin: Egypt |
| Adjika (Paprika Sauce) Origin: Abkhazia | Aseed Origin: Yemen | Bayth Mashi (Stuffed Eggs) Origin: Saudi Arabia |
| Adjika (Abkhazian Paprika Sauce) Origin: Abkhazia | Ash Guznh Mazndrana (Mazandarani Style Nettle Soup) Origin: Iran | Bayth Mashi (Stuffed Eggs) Origin: Lebanon |
| Advieh (Iranian Spice Mix) Origin: Iran | Asheh Mast (Persian Herb and Yoghurt Soup) Origin: Iran | Bazlama Flatbread Origin: Turkey |
| Advieh Ash (Persian Soup Spice Blend) Origin: Iran | Aşure (Noah's Pudding) Origin: Northern Cyprus | Beyaz Peynirli Yumurta (Eggs with Feta Cheese) Origin: Turkey |
| Advieh Baklava Origin: Iran | Atar Allecha (Spiced Green Pea Purée) Origin: Egypt | Bezar Spice Blend Origin: Bahrain |
| Advieh Khoresh (Persian Stew Blend) Origin: Iran | Atayef (Pancakes) Origin: Lebanon | Biber Salçası (Turkish Red Pepper Paste) Origin: Turkey |
| Advieh Mahi (Persian Fish Spice Blend) Origin: Iran | Ayran (Turkish Buttermilk) Origin: Turkey | Bint al Sahn (Honey Cake) Origin: Yemen |
| Advieh Polow (Persian Rice Spice Blend) Origin: Iran | Ayran (Turkish Cypriot Chicken and Taro Stew) Origin: Northern Cyprus | Bizar Spice Blend Origin: Qatar |
| Advieh Torshi (Persian Pickle Spice Blend) Origin: Iran | Azerbaijani Plav (Azerbaijani Pilaf) Origin: Azerbaijan | Boorrma (String Pastry Rolls) Origin: Lebanon |
| Advieh-spiced Persian Meatballs Origin: Iran | Azeri Chicken Skewers Origin: Azerbaijan | Borulce (Black-eyed Pea Stew) Origin: Turkey |
| Afelia (Pork Marinated in Wine) Origin: Cyprus | Baba Ghanoush Origin: Iraq | Bourek me Kima (Pastries Stuffed with Minced Meat) Origin: Cyprus |
| Aijet Beythat (Spiced Eggs) Origin: Saudi Arabia | Baba Ghanoush Origin: Egypt | Bouti Arniou Rosto (Roast Leg of Lamb) Origin: Cyprus |
| Aish Baladi Origin: Egypt | Baba Ghanoush Origin: Jordan | Bozartma (Lamb Stewed with Vegetables and Cherry Plums) Origin: Azerbaijan |
| Aish bel-Lahm (Bread with Lamb) Origin: Saudi Arabia | Baba Ghanoush Origin: Turkey | Braaied Flatbreads Origin: Turkey |
| Akutekarsh (Chicken with Nut Sauce) Origin: Abkhazia | Baba Ghanoush Origin: Armenia | Bulgur Pilaf Origin: Turkey |
| Al Rangina (Dates in Butter Sauce) Origin: Saudi Arabia | Baba Ghanoush Origin: Lebanon | Cacık (Turkish Cucumber and Yoghurt Salad) Origin: Turkey |
| Al-Motubug (Stuffed Pastry Squares) Origin: Saudi Arabia | Baba Ghanoush Origin: Palestine | Cacık (Yoghurt, Cucumber and Mint Dip) Origin: Northern Cyprus |
| Amba Sauce Origin: Israel | Baghali Polo (Persian Dill Rice) Origin: Iran | Ceregi Origin: Georgia |
| Anamikto Siropi (Mixed Fruit Squash) Origin: Cyprus | Baghali Shevid Polow (Lima Bean with Dill Rice) Origin: Iran | Cevizli Baklava (Turkish Walnut Baklava) Origin: Turkey |
| Ancient Egyptian Flatbread Origin: Egypt | Bahki Kufta (Chickpea and Wheat Balls Stuffed with Peanut Butter) Origin: Armenia | Chaimen (Armenian Mixed Spice) Origin: Armenia |
| Ancient Egyptian Tigernut Sweetmeats Origin: Egypt | Bahrain Baharat Spice Blend Origin: Bahrain | Chaimen Spice Mix Origin: Armenia |
| Anginares me Avgolemono (Artichokes with Egg and Lemon Sauce) Origin: Cyprus | Baklava Origin: Northern Cyprus | Chakapuli (Georgian Lamb and Tarragon Stew) Origin: Georgia |
| Anginares Yemistes (Stuffed Artichokes) Origin: Cyprus | Baklawa Origin: Egypt | |
| Armenian Bamiya (Okra Stew) Origin: Armenia | Baklazhan Pkhali (Aubergine Pkhali) Origin: Georgia |
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