Arab food is definitely something you would have an idea of. From Hummus to kunafeh Arab food and sweets are not just delicious but are dipped in tradition. The Arab food is influenced by the highly refined culture of the Persian Empire, which has also impacted the food traditions of India. Much of the Mughal-based court cuisines in the Subcontinent are a direct result of the combination of ideas and ingredients, as things like the pulao, kofte, kebab ,and indeed the sambusak/samosa came in contact with Indian spices and inventiveness.
If you even happen to plan a trip to the middle east, then here are the dishes you need to try!
SHAWARMA
Shawarma is a Levantine Arab meat preparation, where lamb, chicken, turkey, beef, veal, or mixed meats are placed on a spit and may be grilled for as long as a day. Inside the pita/khubz, foods like hummus, tahini, pickles, vegetables, and even french fries are added.
HUMMAS
Starting with probably the best known Middle Eastern food, it is a dip, spread, or savory dish made from cooked, mashed chickpeas blended with tahini, lemon juice, and garlic. It is usually eaten as a dip, with pita bread or also known as khubz in arab.
FALAFEL
Falafel is the second most known Arab dish after hummus. It is a fried ball made of chickpeas, onions, and spices. It is served both as an appetizer on a mezze platter or as the protein in a vegetarian meal. Tastes even better when eaten as a sandwich with khubz.
KHUBZ
This is the Arabic flatbread, just like the pita that you will find throughout the region. A thick and traditionally baked in a tannur that you can eat it with hummus and grilled meats.
KEFTA
The kefta is simply a grilled dish of ground meat like lamb or beef. It is seasoned with paprika, parsley and sometimes onions and grilled like a seekh kebab. Unlike the Indian kofte, you wont find a gravy.
LABNEH
The labneh is a creamier version of yogurt with the water drained out. You get various flavors and is consumed very commonly by all. Olives are a basic garnish.
KUNAFEH
It is a dessert made with shredded filo pastry, or alternatively fine semolina dough, soaked in sweet, sugar-based syrup, and typically layered with cheese, or with other ingredients such as clotted cream or nuts, depending on the region.
BAKLAWA
Baklava is a layered pastry dessert made of filo pastry, filled with chopped nuts, and sweetened with syrup or honey. This dessert is time-consuming to prepare, but tastes just marvelous. It is also one of the most popular sweet pastries of Arab.
ARAB TEA
The Arab tea has a lot of varieties and flavors and is usually served with dates. It is known for its additional medicinal advantages and is consumed as a health drink as well .It is commonly served to guests and business partners at meetings and social events, and has been drunk by Arab people for centuries. For Arabs tea denotes hospitality.
Article by : Haniah Mirza
