Today's Edition
AMEINAH ALZEYOUDI (ABU DHABI)
Emirati traditional foods are known for their abundance, variety, and distinctive delicious flavours, especially Ramadan and Eid celebration treats.
The meals served at the Ramadan table showcase the rich culture of Emirati cuisine, with women playing a central role in preparing these dishes and preserving the UAE's culinary traditions.
Among the most popular dishes served during Ramadan are harees, thareed, machboos, khobz al-araq, khobz al-khameer (types of traditional Emirati bread) and luqaimat.
In addition to reflecting the Emirati culinary heritage, these traditional meals served during Ramadan give locals, Arabs, and visitors a chance to sample and appreciate their distinct flavours.
Harees is a favourite porridge-like traditional dish made of coarsely ground broken wheat, beef or chicken, and ghee. Harees is served at iftar, the fast-breaking meal at sunset, or for suhoor, the pre-dawn meal before fasting.
Thareed is a slow-cooked beef stew enriched with potatoes and vegetables. The stew can be prepared according to individual preferences with options of more vegetables or meat.
Machboos is a rice dish cooked in fragrant stock and flavoured with a blend of spices and dried limes; it is often topped with beef, chicken, or shrimp.
Luqaimat, the quintessential Emirati dessert served during iftar and on special occasions, is made of deep-fried dough balls that are crispy on the exterior, while soft and fluffy on the inside. They are typically drizzled with sweet syrup.
According to Obaid Mohammed, a senior Emirati citizen: "Harees is the main dish on the Emirati table, especially during the Holy Month. Additionally, there are balaleet, arssiya, thareed, and machboos. The most well-known Emirati desserts served following iftar are khanafroosh, aseeda, and luqaimat.
"There used to be a certain allure about Ramadan, and we would look forward to the harees on the iftar table. Even though contemporary cuisine has made its way onto our tables, harees continue to evoke the lovely recollections of Ramadan from the past," he added.
Ahmed Zakariya, a UAE resident from Syria, said that despite international foods finding their way onto the iftar table, traditional Emirati staples continue to be the core element of Ramadan cuisine.
Ramadan cuisine has expanded to include a wide range of foods, including samosas, which are stuffed with cheese, vegetables, and meat, as well as desserts like baklava, ma'amoul, and kunafa. These dishes are now found in most households and restaurants.
