Joanna James
Little is known about the decadence of Qatari food. Often people equate it to the simple and hardy meal of bread and goat cheese. But these people don't know any better. Qatari food is a whole other universe of deliciousness and here are the top dishes you should try when you visit.
The first item on this list of food you should try is Saloona. It is a spicy broth that can be meaty or vegetarian. There's a hearty dashing of carrots, aubergines, potatoes and tomatoes in the broth making it thick and juicy. People often eat it by itself like a soup or together with rice.
The most popular Qatari dish is Machboos. You will find this in many Doha restaurants. It is also known as Kabsa. It is at its most basic, fried rice with mixed meat rather similar to the biryani. You can find meats such as fish, lamb, chicken, shrimp and camel.
This is a dish which makes a major appearance into Qatari cuisine during Ramadan. If you are in Qatar during the Holy Month at a hotel the likes of Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara, you will find this on the menu. It is a well-beaten porridge that is made up of milk, rice, cardamom and butter all beaten and cooked together until it becomes a mushy paste. You will find meat such as chicken or mashed beans in this porridge.
Another dish that makes an appearance during Ramadan but is so popular you can find it during other months as well, is Luqaimat. They are a kind of round and sweet dumpling made of sugar, butter, milk flour, cardamom and saffron and topped with a kind of treacle. They are deep-fried and as a result, are crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. They are so sweet eating more than a couple of dozen will make you feel sick. But it is a rich and delicious flavour. You have to try it at least once.
Thareed is a potted stew that is also considered a staple during the month of Ramadan. It is at its most basic, an Arab lasagne with chicken or lamb that is cooked for a long time in a broth of tomatoes, carrots, potatoes, beans, onions and a lot of spices. Since it is stewed for a long while, the ingredients become soft and the sauce becomes thick. You would usually eat it with bread that is dipped in to soak up all the sauce. It is hearty and filling.
Ghuzi is a whole roasted lamb that is served with rice and vegetables. It often takes prominence as the main dish on a Qatari table. It is topped with nuts making it quite a flavourful dish. Some versions can be quite spicy, but others are rather simple in how they prepare the lamb. It is a dish you must try when in Qatar.
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