A Journey Through UAE’s Traditional Cuisine

Written By: Shayma Mohammed

UAE Traditional Food 

The ancient Emirati cuisine is characterized by the aroma of luxurious spices and the rich taste due to rich ingredients such as saffron, cardamom, cinnamon, and dried lemon, and is closely linked to the environment in terms of delicious characteristics and Flavors.

The most famous traditional Emirati dishes for lunch or dinner:

Ghozi:

Ghozi

Ghozi is considered one of the most famous popular Emirati dishes, and consists of rice and meat, and the filling is added to the rice such as onions, dried lemon, in addition to spices. Ghozi is served on special occasions and weddings.

Harees:

Harees

Harees is added to the tables at happy weddings, and during Ramadan. Harees consists of wheat grains, meat or fresh chicken, and is cooked for a long time and stirred continuously until cooked.

Threed:

Threed

This meal that everyone loves consists of Emirati ragag bread, vegetables, meat, chicken or fish. It is prepared by placing the ragag bread in a pot and pouring it with meat broth. It is one of the delicious, healthy, and light foods on the stomach.

Traditional Emirati Breakfast:

Balaleet:

Balaleet

This delicious dish is added to the table for breakfast, and consists of vermicelli, which is boiled in water then fried in oil, and finally fried eggs are added to the Balaleet dish.

Jebab:

Jebeb

Jebab bread is considered one of the delicious traditional recipes, also it is a type of delicious bread and is distinguished by its distinctive taste due to its ingredients such as eggs, cardamom, saffron, sugar, milk, and rose water. Jebab bread can be served with cheese, cream, or molasses as desired. Jebab bread is considered healthy for the body due its ingredients.

Traditional Emirati Sweets:

Luqaimat:

Luqaimat

Luqaimat is one of the most famous types of Emirati sweets that adults and children love. Mix the ingredients together and knead until a consistent dough forms. the dough is fried in the form of circles in oil, placed in a bowl and sweetened with date molasses.

Despite modern methods of cooking, Emirati cuisine still maintains its traditional character by using a mixture of spices such as saffron, cinnamon, and cardamom. The country holds several unique food festivals, in order to promote authentic Emirati dishes.