Summary
Qatari cuisine is made up of traditional Arab cuisine.[1] Machbūs, a meal consisting of rice, meat, and vegetables, is the national dish in Qatar, typically made with either lamb or chicken and slow-cooked to give it a depth of flavour.[2][1] Seafood and dates are staple food items in the country.[3] Many of these dishes are also used in other countries in the region, because they share many commonalities. In other parts of the region some of the dishes have different names or use slightly different ingredients.[4] One proponent of the importance of Qatar's culinary heritage is chef Noor Al Mazroei, who adapts traditional recipes to include vegan and gluten-free alternatives.[5]
Culinary traditions edit
Being invited to dine in a Qatari home is considered a special honor, reflecting the cultural value placed on hospitality. One notable aspect of Arab society is the generosity of the host, who typically prepares food in quantities much larger than necessary, ensuring that guests are abundantly provided for. To run out of food would be seen as a significant failure on the part of the host. Traditional meals are usually served with guests seated on the floor, partaking of the food with their hands, a custom that emphasizes closeness and communal sharing.[6]
Before the meal commences, it is customary to serve coffee or tea. Arabic coffee, brewed in brass coffee pots infused with cardamom, offers a distinctive aroma and flavor beloved by locals and visitors alike. Served in small porcelain cups, guests often consume three to five cups, signaling their satisfaction by gently shaking the cup when they have had their fill. Hot tea, typically flavored with mint and sweetened with sugar, may also be served in small glass mugs. Both coffee and tea are commonly offered not only in social settings but also in business meetings, reflecting the importance of hospitality in Qatari culture.[6]
Qatari spice blends edit
Bizar edit
Spices play an important role in many dishes and in Arabic cooking. Cooks will make sure to purchase best-quality spices and to make sure not to overbuy to preserve their freshness.[7] Bizar is a combination of black pepper, coriander seeds, cinnamon sticks, clove, dried ginger, whole cardamom, dried red chili, and turmeric sticks. The spices are first washed, and then sun-dried, after which they are ground and mixed together.[4]
Daqoos blend edit
This is a red chili blend that includes roasted and crushed wheat, roasted and crushed cumin seeds, roasted and crushed sesame seeds, coriander seeds, crushed and dry red chili, garlic cloves, and finally salt.[4]
Hisso edit
This blend of spices includes dried ginger, cinnamon sticks, cardamom seeds, whole black pepper, turmeric sticks, and cumin seeds.[4]
Main dishes edit
Qatari machbous edit
Rice, meat, onions, and tomatoes mixed with spices. This dish is the local variation of kabsa.
Makbous edit
Rice, meat, and vegetables mixed with spices. This dish is similar to biryani or pulao.
Ghuzi edit
Whole roast lamb served over nutty rice.[8] Also called shuwaa.
Madrouba edit
Madrouba is a spicy and comforting Qatari porridge made with chicken, overcooked rice, and a plethora of flavorings such as turmeric, cumin, cardamom, ginger, cloves, cinnamon, garlic, and black pepper. It is recommended to serve madrouba while it is still piping hot, preferably garnished with fresh lime zest.[9]
Harees edit
Harees is a dish made from grinding wheat seeds and mixing it with the fat (ghee). Salt and water is added, and it can be prepared with chicken or meat.[4]
Jareesh edit
Jareesh is crushed wheat and is prepared with meat or chicken.[4]
Khobes rgag edit
Khobos rgag is a thin flat bread that is made of flour, water and salt, and is also used in other dishes like thareed.[4]
Thareed edit
Thareed is a mixture of khobes rgag and broth, vegetable, and either chicken or meat.[4]
Drinks edit
Arabic coffee edit
Coffee brewed from dark roast coffee beans spiced with cardamom and served with dates.[4]
Karak edit
Karak, also known as "tea with milk" or "chai milk",[10] is a bright orange mixture with cardamom, saffron, and sugar.[8] It is tea simmered with a mixture of spices along with evaporated milk.
Desserts edit
Lugaimat edit
The ingredients used to create this sweet deep fried pastry are flour, milk, butter, sugar, saffron, and cardamom. After being fried and ready to be served, honey or a sweet syrup is poured on top of it.[4]
Khabees edit
Khabees are seedless dates soaked in water, combined with roasted flour, and mixed with sugar, oil, butter, saffron, cardamom and rose water.[4]
Asida edit
Asida is a sweet dish made with flour, oil and sugar.[4]
Balaleet edit
Balaleet are noodles cooked with sugar, cinnamon, saffron, and cardamom. There is often an omelette on top.[4]
Sago edit
Sago is sweet gelatin pudding spiced with saffron and cardamom. The original recipe was created by Mohamed Fathi, an Egyptian scientist.[4]
Um ali edit
Um ali is bread and rice pudding.[11]
References edit
- ^ a b "The 3 M's of Qatari Cuisine". The Daily Meal. 3 October 2012. Retrieved 15 May 2015.
- ^ "Best Qatari Foods and Where to Find Them in Doha".
- ^ "Culture of Qatar". Hilal Plaza. Retrieved 6 May 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Almeer, Sheikha Ahmad (2016). The Art of Qatari Cuisine. Doha: Gulf Publishing and Printing Co.
- ^ Al-Derbesti, Lamya (2021-06-04). "A Culinary Coincidence". Medium. Retrieved 2022-10-05.
- ^ a b Augustin, Byron; Augustin, Rebecca A. (1 January 1997). Qatar. Enchantment of the World Second Series. New York: Children's Press. pp. 92–93.
- ^ "Souq Wakif". 2 August 2017.
- ^ a b "Traditional Qatari Cuisine". Anglo info Limited.
- ^ "Madrouba | Traditional Porridge From Oman | TasteAtlas". www.tasteatlas.com.
- ^ "Getting to know Qatar". Qatar Friendship Fund. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
- ^ "Qatar Food and Food Etiquette" Archived July 1, 2014, at the Wayback Machine. Qatar Visitor.
External links edit
- https://www.marhaba.qa/souq-waqif-essential-common-spices-arab-cooking/
- https://www.willflyforfood.net/qatar-machboos-a-delight-that-will-make-you-crave-for-more/
- https://www.tasteatlas.com/madrouba
