Edited by Scoop Team
Both Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha in the Middle East have their own dishes that Arabs celebrate with meat, especially lamb, which plays an important role in Eid Al Adha. So, all Eid enthusiasts, myself included, wait a whole year for it to come around so that we can enjoy its mouth-watering delicacies. Ranging from Egypt’s fattah to Saudi Arabia’s kabsa, we have gathered the differences between each traditional dish, their background while honing in on their uniqueness.
Egypt: Fattah
The Egyptian fattah is a classic. it’s a mainstay that you’ll find in all kinds of big occasions; everything from weddings and iftar (breakfast after a religious holiday) to family gatherings and Eid Al Adha dinners.
Egyptian fattah is simple yet tasty, so much so that it’s usually the centerpiece at the family table. Egyptian rice topped with crispy bread and chunks of meat; it’s one of those dishes that you’ll need to take a nap after. For the full recipe click here.
Morroco: Lamb Tagine
Moving on to a much-loved Moroccan dish, the traditional tagine might be all you need this Eid. This dish pretty much has all you need, from colorful vegetables to delicious meat of course.
The beef is slow-cooked, stewing with nuts, herbs, raisins, and more, leaving the meat melting in your mouth. Add it to some couscous and you’ll recreate one of the most well-known meals in Morocco. Click here for the full recipe!
UAE: Thareed Laham
A lot of people know Dubai for its many world-renowned restaurants, but it’s the United Arab Emirate’s traditional dish, Thareed Laham that will have your stomach rumbling.
You can spread the saucy meat over the flatbread, the stew and sauces will soak the bread making it perfect for small bites. Click here for the full thareed laham recipe.
Saudi Arabia: Kabsa
Saudi Arabia is synonymous with Kabsa, and it’s so good that all the GCC countries adopted it in one form or another.
Delicious basmati rice infused with spices and nuts such as almonds and cashews makes the base of the dish. People then top it with either beef or chicken, creating the Kingdom’s national dish.
People usually eat the dish with a spicy tomato salad and drink some Vimto, which is a popular drink there too. Check out the recipe to get the dish ready by the time Eid is here.
Jordan: Mansaf
The best way to describe this Jordanian national dish is that it’s all about layers. The Mansaf has a layer of crispy bread named markook, topped with turmeric spiced basmati or jasmine rice then beef slow-cooked in yogurt with some almonds and pine nuts.
Yes, you read that right, yogurt and it makes a world of a difference, as it brings everything together when it comes to flavor and taste.
Check out the recipe from here and make sure to cook it for your family this Eid.
Iraq: Kebab Iraqi
Incredibly similar to the Egyptian Kofta, this Kabab is one of the most common foods in Iraq. However, while Egyptians use primarily beef in their version, in Iraq, the main ingredient is lamb, with the percentage of fat to mince creating a distinct taste.
Appreciated by Iraqis everywhere, chefs make the dish by molding herbed and spiced minced meat on a steel skewer and place it on top of a charcoal barbecue. Grilling the meat leads to charred tasty beats that offer a smoky flavor contrasting the refreshing salad. It’s definitely a must-try.
Get the full recipe from here!