Despite the fact that the United Arab Emirates is called the country of the future and innovative technologies, its inhabitants honor the traditions of ancestors and national cuisine. There is a huge number of international restaurants, but to appreciate the eastern chic and the diversity of the UAE's cuisine, one should visit traditional institutions. A rich menu and Arabic flavor will not leave indifferent neither the recognized gourmet, nor the usual tourist.
Features of the cuisine of the UAE
The country includes seven emirates , which surprisingly affected its culinary traditions and customs . In addition, they are influenced by the fact that everything in the UAE is subject to the influence of Islam. It is religion that prohibits the use of pork in preparing dishes and drinking alcoholic beverages. During the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, the ban becomes even greater. As for the cuisine of the Arab Emirates, it is characterized by the widespread use of spices and spices, which give a great flavor and original taste to local dishes. From the spices are popular coriander, chili, cinnamon, cumin, curry and sesame. They can be bought at any bazaar , where these seasonings are represented by a huge assortment.
The basis of most local dishes is any kind of meat, except pork. It is very popular lamb, which is brewed or served in the form of kebab. Meat dishes of the UAE are prepared not only from the meat of the carcass, but also from the head, entrails and even hooves.
In many establishments in Dubai , Abu Dhabi and other emirates, Arabic cuisine is represented in the Lebanese-Syrian version. This means that any meal begins with small snacks of "meze" - vegetable salads, meat or vegetable dolma, hot pies, eggplant caviar and other dishes. All this is served on one large tray, divided into small cells.
Kitchen in hotels in the UAE is also very diverse. Their menu includes dishes from fish and seafood, fresh fruits and vegetables, bakery products and desserts.
National dishes of the UAE
Many tourists find some similarity between the culinary traditions of the Arab Emirates and India. The cuisine of both countries is distinguished by a wide range of flavors and flavors. You can make sure of this by trying the national dishes of the Arab Emirates, including:
- Stuffed Camel. It is often called the most amazing dish in the whole world. This exotic dish was even recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest dish in the world. It is prepared in rich families on the occasion of solemn events, for example, weddings . They use a carcass of one camel, which is stuffed with lamb, twenty chickens, fish, rice and eggs. Stuffed camel is considered to be one of the most striking and original dishes of the UAE.
- Wheaten Al-Haris (Al Harees). Al-Haris is another less surprising, but not less unique dish. It is also served at festivals, festivals and in Ramadan. The dish is made from meat and wheat. Ingredients are brought to the state of homogeneous paste, then seasoned with spices and melted butter.
- Rice Al-Mahbus (Al Machboos). It is a kind of analogue of all the famous Uzbek pilov. The dish is also prepared from meat, rice, vegetables and spices. Only in this case the meat is cooked with a large whole piece.
- Pure Hummus (Hummus). It is not the main dish. It is made from chickpeas, tahini paste and garlic, and then served together with lavash or shawarma.
Popular fish dishes from the UAE
The proximity of the Persian and Oman gulfs, rich in fish and seafood, has become the reason that almost every restaurant has a crown fish dish. The most famous fish dishes in the kitchen of the Arab Emirates are:
- bricks - triangular puff pastry with fish or shrimp stuffing, served with greens and lemons;
- Al-Madruba - boiled salted fish, generously watered with a special sauce.
In addition to them, in the restaurants of the UAE you can taste dishes from fresh crab and shrimp, sea bass, tuna, barracuda and even shark meat.
Desserts in the UAE
Like any other eastern country, the United Arab Emirates is famous for its sweets. In the national kitchen of the UAE, desserts are presented in a wide range. Resting here, you should definitely try:
- bread pudding "umm-ali" with raisins and nuts;
- pistachio pudding "mechanallabia";
- sweet pie from cottage cheese "ash-asaya", filled with a delicate cream;
- magnificent donuts "ligemate" with honey;
- the original Arabic dessert "asyada".
In the markets of the country you can buy dates, which are stuffed with almonds and poured with honey. Here, baklava, rahat-lukum, date honey and other oriental sweets are also popular.
About drinks in the UAE
Many coffee lovers believe that the art of preparing this invigorating drink came to Europe from the East. Therefore, it is not surprising that coffee is an integral part of the kitchen of the UAE. They start and finish the meal, they drink it everywhere and very often. Especially popular here is light Arabic coffee, which is prepared from slightly roasted arabica grains. As with the national dishes of the UAE, there are certain rules for the supply and use of the drink. For example, it is always served in "dalla" - sharp-nosed copper coffee pots, and you can not pour a full cup, as it is considered bad form.
The second not less popular drink of the UAE is tea. It is brewed with a lot of sugar, so it turns out sweet as a syrup, but it helps to quench your thirst. Tea in the UAE is served in narrow glasses with a small handle.
Many tourists and locals prefer to drink delicious dishes of the UAE with mineral water. It is mined in local sources or brought.
Alcohol in the country is prohibited. Tourists can buy it only in the hotel bar or restaurant.
Street Food in the UAE
It is better to start acquaintance with local culinary traditions from the street. Here in the numerous tents and trays you can buy fragrant shawarma and fragrant coffee. Snack is usually wrapped in a flat cake (lavash) or stuffed with round buns (pita). One of the most delicious dishes of the street cuisine of the UAE is manakish - lavash or pita, stuffed with melted cheese, herbs and olives. It is served hot and is eaten with hands.
In the street tents of Dubai, Abu Dhabi or any other emirate, sell falafel - chickpeas, which are rolled into balls, dipped in flour and fried in olive oil. It looks like a potato cake, but served with lettuce or pita bread. Speaking of street food, we can not fail to mention Shawarma. This is one of those national dishes of the UAE cuisine, which is familiar to foreigners. Here it is usually consumed with a fruit drink made of banana and strawberries. Shawarma in the UAE is always stuffed with meat, tomatoes, lettuce and garlic. Unlike other countries, it is impossible to find vegan or dietary shawarma in any emirate.
What else do you need to know about the kitchen of the UAE?
Before you go to rest in the Arab Emirates, tourists should prepare well. It's not enough just to know what food is most popular in the UAE, you need to be aware of how and when it is. For example, during Muslim holidays, believers can eat only in the period between sunset and sunrise. Accordingly, all restaurants change their schedules and open only after 8 pm. This must be borne in mind before you go on vacation .
In this country there is a tradition to eat by hand. Take and transfer cups with a drink or plates with food is allowed only with your right hand. At the table, dishes and drinks are served first to the elders. While visiting a resident of the country, in no case should you refuse to eat or drink. Otherwise, it will also be perceived as a disrespect to the owner of the house.