Eid al Adha

Spiced meatballs are common in one form or another from Morocco in the west through the Middle East (kefta or kufta), to Greece (keftedes), Turkey (köfte), Armenia (kyufta), Iran (kufteh, or koofteh) and all the way to India (kofta) in the east. All names for these little balls of wonder derive from the Persian verb kuftan, which means "to grind." Read more »

Khoresht ghaimeh, sometimes spelled khorest-e ghaimeh, is a hearty, warming Persian stew that is in the repertoire of every Iranian cook. The lamb and split peas melt together in flavor and texture during the long simmering period. Read more »

Lahm lhalou, Arabic for "sweet meat," is a very popular dish in Algeria, especially during the month of Ramadan. The daylong fast is broken first with dates, then with mouthfuls of this unctuous and fragrant dish of tender lamb simmered with sweet fruits. Normally, no salt is added to the dish so as not to cause thirst during the next day's fast. But you can add a little if you like. Other common spellings: l'ham lhalou; el ham lalou. Read more »

Rogan josh is classic of Kashmiri cuisine. Some preparations are very lavish with lots of sweet spices and liberal amounts of cream. The name rogan josh means "red meat," and reflects the reddish color of the dish. Read more »

Korma is a mild, creamy curry thickened with ground nuts and with origins in the Mughlai cuisine of the 16th century. While there are endless variations to the basic recipe, shahi korma is typically made with mutton or lamb. Read more »