Yaki onigiri

Recipe by Andrew Fletcher, Executive Chef at Movenpick Jumeirah Lake Towers

Braised lamb shank biryani

Recipe from Andrew Fletcher, Executive chef at Mövenpick Hotel Jumeirah Lakes Towers

Fattet fool akhdar

Jordanian recipe from Dima Sharif, a cooking instructor, food artisan and author of the Dima’s Kitchen food blog.

Koofteh sabzi

Iranian recipe from Ariana Bundy, TV chef and author of Pomegranates and Roses: My Persian family recipes (Simon & Schuster UK) and Sweet Alternative (Conran-Octopus UK).

Lentil soup

An Iraqi recipe from Lamees Attar-Bashi, a food enthusiast, home chef and creator of facebook page, Lamees’s Kitchen.

Lamb ouzi

Recipes from Chef Ludovic Garnier, chef de cuisine at One & Only Royal Mirage Dubai

Shorbat addas (mild lentil soup)

Recipe from Faisal Nasser, an environmental engineer from Abu Dhabi, who has always had an interest in food and culinary arts, and enjoys spending his weekends cooking for family and friends.

Vietnamese prawn summer rolls

Fresh-tasting rice paper rolls packed with shellfish, light vermicelli noodles, carrots, cucumber and herbs, with a sweet ginger chilli dipping sauce

Sticky duck-dogs with chopped mango slaw & Chinese crisps

Serve shredded hoisin duck in hot dog rolls with crunchy Asian slaw and pancakes baked into tortilla-style homemade chips

Lemon posset with sugared-almond shortbread

Making your own, individual citrus set puddings is even more impressive when served with homemade biscuits for scooping out the cream

Cajun meatballs

Love meatballs? Try this low-calorie recipe that uses turkey mince, served in a hot pepper sauce

Lentil, walnut & apple salad with blue cheese

Puy lentils are healthy pulses that keep you fuller for longer – serve with Roquefort, Granny Smith apples, nuts and parsley