Is everything in this plan halal-friendly?

Yes. The plan contains no pork or alcohol. All meat should be sourced halal, which is the default at supermarkets across the GCC — Carrefour, Lulu, Spinneys, Choithrams and Tamimi all stock halal-certified meat and poultry.

My helper is from the Philippines and has never cooked Arabic food. How long to get her comfortable?

Filipino helpers usually adapt to Levantine cooking faster than expected — the technique base (sautéing aromatics, grilling, light pan-frying) overlaps with Filipino cooking. Expect basic confidence by week three and genuine fluency by month two.

What are the best ingredient swaps when something is unavailable?

No sumac → squeeze of lemon plus a pinch of paprika. No labneh → strained Greek yogurt with a pinch of salt. No fresh mint → dried mint at half quantity. Tahini quality varies dramatically — invest in a Lebanese or Palestinian brand.

How do I manage Ramadan with this plan?

During Ramadan, push lunch to suhoor (light, slow-release carbs like lentil soup with bread) and dinner to iftar (start with dates and water, then lighter Mediterranean dishes before any heavy mains). Shawarma and kofta work well as iftar mains; save the salads for the post-prayer course.

Does Mealside support Arabic-speaking helpers?

Recipes can be displayed and translated into Tagalog, Bahasa Indonesia, Sinhala and Amharic — the most common helper languages in the GCC. Arabic UI for helpers from Arabic-speaking countries is on the roadmap; in the meantime, the recipe content itself can be translated on demand.

Middle East Family Meal Plan

This meal plan is designed for families in the Middle East or anyone who enjoys Middle Eastern cuisine. All meals are halal and use ingredients commonly available in the region.

Why this plan works

Expat families in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh and Doha share a particular challenge: long summers when nobody wants to cook anything heavy, an abundance of fantastic Levantine and Gulf ingredients, and household help that often comes from the Philippines, Indonesia, Sri Lanka or Ethiopia with no prior experience of Arabic cuisine. This plan threads the needle. Light Levantine dishes — fattoush, tabbouleh, grilled fish with lemon — dominate the week because they suit the climate and make the most of the spectacular tomatoes, cucumbers and herbs available year-round. Meatier dishes (kofta, shawarma, biryani) cluster on cooler evenings or weekend gatherings. Everything in the grocery list is available at Carrefour, Lulu, Spinneys or Al Maya without a special trip.

Weekly Meal Plan

Day	Lunch	Dinner	Notes
Monday	Chicken Shawarma Wraps	Grilled Kebabs with Basmati Pilaf	Fattoush is forgiving — any combination of cucumber, tomato, radish and herbs works. The toasted pita and sumac dressing are what make it.
Tuesday	Fattoush Salad with Pita	Butter Chicken with Rice
Wednesday	Hummus and Falafel Plate	Lamb Kofta with Tabbouleh	Lentil soup (shorbat adas) is the comfort food of the Levant. A squeeze of lemon at the end transforms it.
Thursday	Red Lentil Soup with Bread	Chicken Biryani	Lamb kofta freezes beautifully raw. Have your helper make a double batch and freeze half — Friday night dinner solved in advance.
Friday	Labneh with Pita and Vegetables	Shakshuka with Bread	Friday brunch-style dinner
Saturday	Grilled Halloumi Salad	Chicken Curry with Basmati Rice	Falafel wraps are a Saturday lunch staple. Store-bought tahini and pickled turnips elevate a simple lunch into something genuinely satisfying.
Sunday	Chicken Noodle Soup	Spaghetti Bolognese

Grocery List

Meat

Chicken thighs (1kg)
Chicken breast (500g)
Minced lamb (500g)
Minced beef (500g)

Vegetables

Tomatoes (8)
Cucumber (4)
Lettuce (2)
Red onions (4)
Onions (4)
Bell peppers (3)
Carrots (4)
Potatoes (4)
Garlic (2 heads)
Ginger (1 piece)

Pantry

Basmati rice (2kg)
Red lentils (500g)
Dried chickpeas (500g) or 2 cans
Canned tomatoes (3 cans)
Tahini
Sumac
Cumin
Spaghetti (500g)
Pita bread (2 packs)

Dairy & Eggs

Eggs (12)
Yogurt (500g)
Halloumi (250g)
Feta cheese (200g)
Butter

Fresh Herbs

Flat-leaf parsley (3 bunches)
Fresh mint (2 bunches)
Fresh coriander (2 bunches)

Cooking Tips for Helpers

Marinate shawarma chicken overnight for the best flavour.
Make hummus and labneh in bulk — they keep well for days.
Fresh herbs are essential in Middle Eastern cooking — buy extra.
Soak chickpeas overnight if making falafel from scratch.

This plan balances traditional Middle Eastern dishes with some international favourites. All meals are halal-friendly and use ingredients commonly found in the region.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is everything in this plan halal-friendly?: Yes. The plan contains no pork or alcohol. All meat should be sourced halal, which is the default at supermarkets across the GCC — Carrefour, Lulu, Spinneys, Choithrams and Tamimi all stock halal-certified meat and poultry.
My helper is from the Philippines and has never cooked Arabic food. How long to get her comfortable?: Filipino helpers usually adapt to Levantine cooking faster than expected — the technique base (sautéing aromatics, grilling, light pan-frying) overlaps with Filipino cooking. Expect basic confidence by week three and genuine fluency by month two.
What are the best ingredient swaps when something is unavailable?: No sumac → squeeze of lemon plus a pinch of paprika. No labneh → strained Greek yogurt with a pinch of salt. No fresh mint → dried mint at half quantity. Tahini quality varies dramatically — invest in a Lebanese or Palestinian brand.
How do I manage Ramadan with this plan?: During Ramadan, push lunch to suhoor (light, slow-release carbs like lentil soup with bread) and dinner to iftar (start with dates and water, then lighter Mediterranean dishes before any heavy mains). Shawarma and kofta work well as iftar mains; save the salads for the post-prayer course.
Does Mealside support Arabic-speaking helpers?: Recipes can be displayed and translated into Tagalog, Bahasa Indonesia, Sinhala and Amharic — the most common helper languages in the GCC. Arabic UI for helpers from Arabic-speaking countries is on the roadmap; in the meantime, the recipe content itself can be translated on demand.