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Needless to say, understanding a country’s culinary culture and food habits is important to delve deep into its culture and traditions. Therefore, if you are trying to get hold of the culture and tradition of the Middle East, understanding its culinary practices is important. However, the moment we hear about Middle Eastern food, our minds go straight to hummus and labneh. But let us tell you that there are a lot of other dishes apart from those. Here are five national dishes of Arab countries that you can try for a delicious meal.
1. Syria: Kibbeh
Believed to be the first version of our favourite meat-based starters kebabs, Kibbeh is one of Syria’s favourite delicacies. It is usually made of minced meat, burghul, spices and minced onion and is served with some condiment on the side.
2. Lebanon: Tabbouleh
When we talk about some refreshing and light salads, we can’t help but mention tabbouleh. The refreshing salad is made with bulgur wheat, tomatoes, finely chopped parsley, and is seasoned with olive oil, lemon juice and salt. Want to know about the origin of tabbouleh? Click here.
3. Bahrain: Machboos
A rice-based dish that will surely leave you drooling, Machboos is the national dish of Bahrain. The dish is packed with flavours from spices like turmeric, cumin, cardamom etc. Usually, Machboos is made with chicken. However, you can add more ingredients according to your preference.
4. Saudi Arabia: Kabsa
If you are a biryani lover like us, Kabsa will surely be your favourite. The rice-based dish is a gourmet affair with an array of nuts and dry fruits that go into the dish. Moreover, the dish is wholesome and nutritious due to the addition of chicken into it. Needless to say, Kabsa is all things flavourful and aromatic with spices like cardamom, nutmeg, saffron, cinnamon and many more.
5. Algeria: Couscous
The national dish of Algeria, couscous is a perfect accompaniment to any meal. Believed to have originated in the Maghreb, couscous usually comprises steamed semolina pellets, meat, veggies and some spices. You can have it either as it is or with a stew. Fun fact: the dish is usually eaten on Fridays due to the country’s tradition of giving couscous to the country’s poorest on that day of the week. Exciting enough? Try the recipe below and let us know how you like it.