Dubai is a city sky-high with skyscrapers and luxury living, a place where traditions and tastes run deep into the flavors of the desert. Emirati cuisine is a richness of heritage in itself and takes one on a culinary journey through the ages of Bedouin life.
A Taste of the flavors of the desert
Emirati cuisine is basic and unsurprising, using fresh, locally available ingredients. Dates, fish, and rice feature as the base of most dishes in local cuisine. The Bedouins, survivalists in the harsh flavors of the desert environment for several centuries, have developed a cuisine at once nourishing and palatable.
Must-Try Emirati Dishes
Machboos: This is a fragrant rice dish made with a variety of spices, dried lemon, and meat—usually chicken, lamb, or fish.
Al Harees: A tender stew of meat in wheat and a dash of salt. And al harees is definitely a dish made in love. Even this one is simmered until it is turned into slow-cooked hours of creamy porridge.
Luqaimat: These small fried dumplings are crispy on the outside but soft within. They are drizzled with a bit of sweet date syrup or honey for a great end to a meal.
Gahwa: This Arabic coffee is the essence of an Emirati welcome; it is strong, flavors of the desert with cardamom, and served in tiny cups.
Dates: No meal in an Emirati household is complete without dates. These sweet fruits are bedrocks of the Bedouin diet and offer a good deal of sustenance.
The Art of Spice
Emirati cuisine skillfully deploys spices to develop flavors. Cardamom, saffron, cinnamon, and cloves are some of the common items. These warm spices complement well the rich flavors of the desert meat and rice dishes.
Dining in the Desert
The proper Emirati cuisine can only be experienced in a Bedouin camp as part of a Desert Safari Dubai. Picture yourself relishing the meal on the traditional fare under the stars, with the patterns of the night sky repeating themselves on the sandhills all around you—this experience is just out of this world and transports you back in time.
Modern Influences
Although Emirati cuisine is originally from the desert, over the years, it has grown to include influences from various cultures. Nowadays, you will find the modernity of traditional dishes or even fusion cuisine where you can mix and match Emirati flavors of the desert with international ingredients.
From foodies to those who seek to simply try something new, Emirati cuisine will be surely enough to satisfy your taste buds. So the next time you’re in Dubai, make sure you take the desert journey.
From Bread to Other Basics: Emirati Cuisine’s Stalwarts
Though rice and meat are the stars of the show, bread also plays a key part in Emirati cuisine. Khubz is a kind of flatbread, much like pita. I usually offered warm, torn into pieces, and used as a scoop for nice stews and sauces. Another popular bread is regag, which is very thin, close to a crepe. It might be plain or filled with cheese, vegetables, or meat.
Sweets to Quench Your Thirst
Although Emirati cuisine is predominantly salty, it can sometimes be very sweet. Even in that case, with the crispy, honey-soaked dumplings known as luqaimat, there is more to the story. Allow your taste buds some freedom and try the following:
- Umm Ali: A bread pudding–consistency dessert made with bread, milk, nuts, and sugar.
- Kunafa: Sweet cheese pastry soaked with sugar syrup and topped with pistachios.
- Dates: This sweet nectar is the actual dessert of the memorable desert safari, and no Emirati cuisine exploration is complete without it.
Where to Savor Emirati Cuisine
If you’re ever looking to indulge in the flavors of the desert that are truly Emirati, here’s your guide:
- Traditional Emirati Restaurants: Such eateries provide a good taste of the original Emirati tradition.
- Bedouin Camps: If you want a starry feast while indulging in the Bedouin culture.
- Food Festivals: Dubai regularly hosts festivals that showcase Emirati food.
A Fusion of Flavors Awaits
Emirati cuisine is an untapped goldmine of flavors. For experienced gastronomes, as well as those in search of something different. It’s certainly a treat to relish the spirit of the desert. While next in flavors of the desert, find a way of indulging in the real taste of Emirati cuisine.
