Anastasia Smith
Delectable delights and delicacies may not be the most evocative of Abu Dhabi as ultra-modern skyscrapers and swanky shopping mega centres are, but travellers to the capital Gulf city for sure are in for a mouth-watering treat. Come, embark on an exploration of exotic Middle Eastern cuisine.
Those foodies who have had a taste of the cuisines of the Indian subcontinent would immediately recognise Kabsa’s familiarity with India’s Biryani, for the Arab dish is heavily influenced by the world-renowned Indian classic. Majboos, machboos or Kabsa is presumed to have originated in neighbouring Yemen, but there’s no taking away Kabsa from the UAE anymore. As a matter of fact, the UAE aren’t the only fan of the chicken mixed rice dish; all countries across the Arabian Peninsula consider it a national dish. The speciality of the yellow-hued long-grain rice dish is its unique cooking process, where the water that is used for cooking the meat is reused to cook the rice in it, perfectly blending in all the flavours and spices. While chicken is the most popular choice for the dish, lamb, camel meat, fish, shrimp, truffles, and even duck meat are also lesser-chosen substitutes.
Coming to life both as a porridge and a gruel, or even at times something with a consistency that varies between the two, Harees is a staple in the exotic Gulf country, especially during the festive season of Ramadan. A mouthful of the satisfying combination of coarse wheat and meat will take you to paradise, making Harees, jareesh, boko boko, or harisa a favourite among Arabs and travellers to the UAE alike.
Calling all travellers vacationing in the capital city of Abu Dhabi! Best restaurants in this gulf city are offered by properties such as Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara and these places love serving Luqaimat, for they are balls of sugary heaven. Strolling the atmospheric streets of the lively metropolis, the deep-fried dough balls make the perfect snack to munch on your city saunter. Grab a Luqaimat or two and satisfy your sweet tooth in the exotic Gulf city like never before.
Saloona, while regarded as a stew, is anything but your average stew. The traditional dish is one of the most versatile of Middle Eastern cuisines, which is not known to have an established recipe and is rather cooked with whatever ingredients are available at the household at the time. The versatility associated with the dish has evolved Saloona into an everyday home-cooked meal in the UAE.
A traditional Arabian dessert to top off your traditional Arabian meal, a spoonful of breathtakingly sweet Sago Halawa is just what you need to complement the characteristic Arabian flavours. The combination of sago pearls, sugar, water, and butter may not be the most elaborate of recipes to call the UAE home, but it sure is one of the most incredible.
