Tasting emaraati traditional food

Hala bl 7elwin ,

I know some of u r interested in emaraati traditional dishes, so today let's taste our tasty dishes :)

I will post the most popular dishes served in Emirates by the names and show u the way they look like.

RAQAQ 

It is only made of basic ingredients : whole-wheat flour, salt and water.This is one of the most traditional breads known in UAE.

The "raqaq" bread is made from soft unleavened dough that is flattened and baked on a hot iron plate.

The bread is made daily during Ramadan and is the accompaniment to fareed (a dish made of chicken and bread).

 It is also a popular winter-time bread, eaten fresh and warm from the griddle with oil poured over, then folded into pieces and eaten with fresh honey.

Is it also served with ghee,butter,sugar,chesse or meat gravy spread on it.

SHOBAB 

“Shobab” is traditional bedouin bread that is very similar to a crepe. The ingredients are the same as khameer, except that only more water is added.

The dough is left to rest for about four hours and is then cut into several pieces.

Each piece is shaped into a flat circle and fried on both sides in a pan (or baked in a traditional oven called "tabi").It is served warm for either breakfast or dinner, and is accompanied by cheese, honey, eggs or jam.

AL HAREES

“Al harees “ is one of the most savoured dishes in the UAE  and it involves a lengthy preparation. Harees, that rib-sticking, regional stalwart of meat and wheat, sometimes as thick as concrete, is a quintessential part of the Emirati culinary.

Al harees, which is made mainly from meat and wheat, is quite prominent one during special occasions such as Ramadan, Eid and weddings. 

AL MACHBOOS

“Al Machboos”, which is also called “Al Makboos”, has red meat as its main ingredient (which can be replaced by chicken or shrimp) and rice.

Is it similar to Biryani .

AL SALOONA

Is it chicken, beef or meat stew along with vegetables.

The dish is prepared by boiling meat with onions and then adding a variety of vegetables (zucchini, eggplant, onions, pepper, tomato and some okra). 

 Spices and tomato paste are also added and the mixture is left to simmer for 10 minutes until read.

AL MADROOBA

Fish is used heavily in Emirati Cuisine in a variety of recipies: grilled, fried or cooked with rice

This consists of salt-cured fish (known locally as "Maleh" or salty) and flour. 

The fish is cleaned thoroughly in running water and then cooked in a pot along with spices.  

AL KHABEESA

picture made by our sister Arlette

This is a famous desert . Is made from flour which is heated on a stovetop and as its colour turns brown, rose water, sugar, ghee and cardamom are added. 

The mixture is then left on medium heat until ready.

AL KHANFAROOSH

This is prepared from a mixture of flour, egg, sugar, yeast, cardamom, saffron and rose water.

Very tasty !

LOQAIMAT 

“Luqaimat or l’gaymat “  may just be the emaraati gateway dish.

Dumplings (little crispy  balls) made of butter , milk, sugar, flour, saffron, cardamom, that is deep fried in oil and then served with sugar syrup .

My favorite sweet , is it served in Ramadan also , but mostly as a mainly desert .

There are as many varied and wonderful recipes for loqaimat as there are for pancakes.

BATHEETH

This is a date sweet , an arab favorite and the national traditional uae sweet.

Is it served regulary with Gahwa ( the Arabic coffee).

GAHWA KHALEEJIAH 

Gulf coffee is served at most corners of the Heritage Village,offices,shops,houses ans is the most popular type of coffee among uae nationals.One of the first things done every morning in Arab homes after early morning prayers, is to make coffee which is then kept in a flask (dalla gahwa) until the family is ready to drink it.

Traditionally, fresh green coffee beans are roasted in a frying pan (ta'waa) over a direct fire.

 They are then pounded by hand in a mortar until they reached a medium sized grain, and then boiled rapidly for 3-5 minutes.

In the meantime, saffron, cloves, cardamom and rosewater are placed in a large flask, the hot coffee is poured over this and then left to steep for 30-40 minutes.