Ka'ak With Za’atar, Turmeric, and Nigella Seed

A variation on ka'ak that uses a technique that's very similar to the one used to make bagels.

Grilled Halloumi Pita Sandwiches

Salty halloumi cheese browns beautifully on the grill and is perfect for making filling pita sandwiches with tomato, red onion, lettuce, and creamy tzatziki.

Avocado Toast With Boquerones and Smoked Paprika

This open-faced avocado sandwich gets a dose of bright, tender boquerones (vinegar-marinated fresh anchovies), a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, and a light dusting of paprika. The result is creamy, smoky, tart, briny, and immensely satisfying all at once.

Grilled Flatbread With Olive Oil and Za'atar

A quick and easy flatbread made on the grill gets topped with za'atar, and plenty of it!

Halloumi and Vegetable Skewers

A gift from the gods, halloumi—a semi-soft cheese from Cyprus made for grilling or pan-frying—is skewered alongside red onion, tomato, and zucchinis to create a delicious fresh and salty meal on a stick.

Halloumi and Watermelon Salad

Halloumi, a salty hard cheese made of goat and sheep's milk, comes to life when grilled or pan fried.

Avocado Toast With Smoked Salmon, Goat Cheese, and Capers

This bagel-and-lox-inspired open-faced sandwich combines avocado and smoked salmon, cut through with tomatoes, capers, and thinly sliced rounds of red onion. Goat cheese takes the place of cream cheese for extra tang, while a squeeze of lemon juice and a little fresh black pepper bring everything into balance.

Avocado Toast With Mango, Chili Powder, and Mint

Juicy, tart mangoes are surprisingly excellent at cutting through the richness of the avocado in this open-faced sandwich. Unfortunately, it can be hard to predict just how sweet they'll be. If you're working with an especially ripe or fruity mango, make sure to compensate with additional lemon juice to keep the sweetness in check. A sprinkle of chili powder adds contrasting heat that more firmly anchors this toast in savory territory.

Avocado Toast With Ricotta, Olive Oil, Lemon Zest, and Basil

This open-faced sandwich pairs avocado with Italian flavors like creamy ricotta, extra-virgin olive oil, bright lemon zest, and fragrant basil. A squeeze of lemon juice cuts through the avocado and keeps the whole thing tasting light and summery, no cooking required.

Za'atar Manakish (مناقيش زعتر / Lebanese Za'atar Bread)

Za'atar manakish is a popular Levantine flatbread. It's easy to make, bakes quickly, and is excellent for breakfast, lunch, or as part of a meze platter.