The
Essence of.....United Arab Emirates
An exploration of the world through food and drink
Essence -ial Information
|
UK Tourist Office |
(Dubai)
4th floor |
|
Currency |
Dirham |
|
Capital |
Abu Dhabi |
|
Language |
Arabic/English |
|
Main Airlines |
Etihad, British Airways, Emirates |
|
Flying Time from UK |
7 + hours |
|
Visa |
Free on arrival |
PROFILE
Due to harsh desert conditions, the traditional food of the United Arab Emirates uses a lot of meat, cereals and dairy. Vegetables are difficult to grow and are not strongly featured in the diet. Traditional dishes include Ma'louba, Margooga, Harees, Machbous, Arsee'ah, Fireed, Jisheid and Mishwy. Meats traditionally used were chicken or small fowl, such as Houbara bustards, and goats. As camels are highly prized for their milk and transporting ability, the eating of camel meat is normally reserved for special occasions.
The dishes are usually like stews, as everything is cooked in a single pot. Saffron, cardamom, turmeric and thyme are the core flavours used in Emirati cookery. The introduction of rice to the diet came when the traders moved to the region. Leaves from indigenous tress, such as the Ghaff were also used to stuff small birds, releasing their flavour during the cooking process.
Arabic Mezze is one of the most loved cuisines in UAE. It is usually eaten with hand and the bread is used to scoop up the food. Hot mezzes include chicken shawarma (meat from a spit kebab). Falafel is another cuisine in UAE that one can try. It is made local from mashed chickpeas and spices and rolled into balls and generally eaten usually eaten with spicy aubergines, bread and hummus. Kebab Kashkash -a dish of meat and spices in a tomato sauce is favourite in UAE.
Lebanese cuisine is one of the most common foods in Dubai. You would find out some of the best Lebanese restaurants in Dubai. Lebanese delicacies are usually served with Arabic bread, fresh salad and pickles. Another popular Dubai food is Iranian or Persian delicacies.
National specialties:
• Hummus (chickpea and sesame paste).
• Tabbouleh (bulghur wheat with mint and parsley).
• Ghuzi (roast lamb with
rice and nuts).
• Warak enab (stuffed vine leaves).
• Koussa mashi (stuffed courgettes).
National drinks:
• Ayran (a refreshing yogurt drink).
• Strong black coffee