A sumptuously plated dish featuring twirls of pasta speckled with vibrant green herbs, pops of crimson radish slices, and golden-fried shallots sprinkled over top. The dish is garnished with a sprig of mint sitting atop for the final touch, against a muted stoneware plate.

Middle Eastern Radish Pasta Delight

Name: Middle Eastern Radish Pasta Delight
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Ingredients: Radishes, 6-8 thinly sliced; Garlic, 2 cloves minced; Shallot, 1 thinly sliced; Spaghetti, 200 g N/A; Olive oil, 2 tablespoons N/A; Cumin, 1 teaspoon N/A; Paprika, 1 teaspoon N/A; Turmeric, 1 teaspoon N/A; Salt, to taste N/A; Fresh Mint and Parsley, A handful chopped; Lemon, 1 zested and squeezed

Category Main Course

Prep 10 minutes

Cook 20 minutes

Style Middle Eastern

Technique Boiling

Diet Friendly Vegetarian

Daily Recipe: January 28, 2026

There's something comforting about a bowl of pasta on a brisk day, and this unique Middle Eastern-inspired dish is no exception. Incorporating radishes for a crisp crunch, this recipe upends traditional pasta conventions for a meal that is as intriguing as it is satisfying.

Ingredients (for 2)

Radishes - 6-8 - thinly sliced
Garlic - 2 cloves - minced
Shallot - 1 - thinly sliced
Spaghetti - 200 g - N/A
Olive oil - 2 tablespoons - N/A
Cumin - 1 teaspoon - N/A
Paprika - 1 teaspoon - N/A
Turmeric - 1 teaspoon - N/A
Salt - to taste - N/A
Fresh mint and parsley - A handful - chopped
Lemon - 1 - zested and squeezed

Preparation

Step 1 - 🍝💧🍴

Cook the spaghetti as per package instructions, until al dente, then drain, reserving some pasta water.
Step 2 - 🍳🧅🍃

Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat, then add in the shallots, garlic, and spices and sauté until the shallots become golden and crispy.
Step 3 - 🍳🔪🔥

Add in the slices of radish, sautéeing for a few quick seconds to just soften, then turn off the heat.
Step 4 - 🍝🥘💧

Toss the cooked pasta into the spice-laden oil, and add a bit of reserved pasta water if needed.
Step 5 - 🍃🍋🌀

Finish with fresh herbs, lemon zest, and a squeeze of lemon juice, then toss until everything is wonderfully mixed. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
Step 6 - 🍝🍽️🌿

Plate the pasta, topped with any remaining crispy shallots and radish slices, and garnish with a sprig of mint. Done!

Additional

You can add grilled chicken, seared prawns, or roasted chickpeas for a protein boost. Kids can help with washing the radishes and herbs, and older kids can practice their knife skills with the radish slicing with supervision. The zing and crunch of the radishes, which aren't typically incorporated in pasta, truly elevate this dish into unknown, delightful territories.