Tag Archive for: UAE Cuisine

The United Arab Emirates – Manakish

This is a dish which is also known as ARABIAN PIZZA. Manakish is an Arabian dish, which is a flattened dough served with Arabian toppings. As the special Arabic dish, this dish is eaten in Dubai, Saudia Arabia, Lebanese, Syria, Egypt, etc. Its place of origin is ”LEVANT”, a large area of Eastern mediterraen. The word Manakish or Manaquish is taken from Arabic word Manqushah that is formed by NAQUSH means to crave out.

The United Arab Emirates – Al Kabsa

Kabsa or kabsah is a rice dish in which many elements are included. This dish is from SAUDIA ARABIA and Emirati Cuisine. In GULF ARABIC, it is known as ”Makbus/ Machboos”. Kabasa means Squeeze so from this the word comes up with ”SQUEEZE ALL INGREDIENTS INTO ONE POT”.

The United Arab Emirates – Baba Ghanoush (copy)

Baba Ghanoush is actually a starter/ appetizer dish that is also served as snacks and a side course. This is originated from Levantine cuisine from Lebanese. This is usually a vegetarian appetizer, which can be served according to the event like dinner or tea time snack

United Arab Emirates – Shirin Polo

This dish is a very sweet and nice dish of rice. It is special Persian sweet rice served at weddings and special festivals, also known as Wedding rice and Royal rice. Shirin Polo is a very unique name, in which SHIRIN means SWEET and POLO means RICE. This dish has many names complementary to their characteristics and ingredients.

Iraq, UAE – Masgouf (National dish of Iraq)

The most important and lovable dish of Iraq that is also a national dish of Iraq is this dish. Whole fish is cooked instead of fish pieces. This is the way to represent this dish, masgouf. Iraqi cuisine is called Mesopotamian cuisine. It is originated by different regional cuisines including Persians and Iraq, etc. Masgouf is well recognized by Middle Eastern restaurants and other Middle Eastern countries and, is a very old and traditional dish of Mesopotamian cuisine.

The United Arab Emirates – Challah

Challah is a bread that is from the Eastern side of the European Origin. The term ”CHALLAH” is meant to be the kind of Bread and Cake. This bread is also known as ”SHABBAT BREAD”. Because on the Jewish festival Shabbat this bread is made and then serve to the Jewish members after prayer. The most traditional way to cook challah is from the plain wheat flour, eggs, salt, yeast, vegetable oil, sugar, and water to knead. There is much bread made up of similar ingredients but having some varieties and differences in shapes.

Syria, United Arab Emirates – Mutabbal/ Baba ghanoush

Mutabal is also known as Baba Ganoush. This is like a dip made up of eggplants. In the Arabic language, the word ”BABA” means ”FATHER”. The other word is ”ġannūj” is the personal full name. Mutabal is another name for this dish in Levantine, Syria, etc. This means ”SPICED”. The culinary tradition of Israeli cuisine is from the GREATER SYRIA. In a Syrian meal, this is served with coffee. This is served also with the CONFECTIONERY SWEET, desserts, etc.

Lebanon, United Arab Emirates – Za’atar Manakeesh

Manakeesh is a flat crispy bread topped with different seasonings and served with different sauces and vegetables. It is like a pizza but in Arabian style. It is eaten in breakfast and also be served as a snack and even in lunch and dinners. In Lebanon, Za’atar is the must for Manakeesh. This dish, Manakeesh is originated from Lebanon but now it is famous all over the Middles East. The word Manakeesh is the Arabic word Manqushah. MANQUSHAH is formed by the word NAQUSH that means ”CRAVE OUT”. This dish is originated in the Fertile Crescent.

United Arab Emirates – Shish Taouk

This middle east dish is very similar with the one of the Persian dish named as Jujeh Kabab. The meaning of the word SHISH TAOUK is very difficult to find out. As the dish is, Skewered Chicken is the meaning of the Shish Taouk.

United Arab Emirates – Kofta

Kofta is a member of Meat Balls and have name derived from Persian word, KUFTA. This is shaped especially into balls as a KOFTA but different shapes can be made out of the same batter of meat. Kofta can be made up of even vegetables like cabbage, potato, mixed vegetables, calabash, unripe bananas, etc. There is a huge variation of the same element of the dish and included in many countries’ national cuisine.