Every year, when the first day of Eid al-Adha arrives, we roll up our sleeves and get ready for the ultimate meaty feast. We are talking about everything from fattah packed with chunks of beef to spicy liver; it is every meat lover’s dream.
To take the meal to new heights, adding some side dishes will elevate your Eid dining experience. Let’s take a look at the ultimate Arab side dishes to try out this Eid.
Moroccan Couscous With Chickpeas
Those yellow little morsels of rolled semolina are a crowd favorite among Moroccans and Arabs alike. Couscous is like a blank canvas that takes on the flavors of whatever sauce or seasoning you serve with it. With that, why not enjoy your juicy beef with a special side of Moroccan couscous with chickpeas?
This type of Moroccan couscous is packed with roasted vegetables and chickpeas. It is the ultimate quick and healthy recipe packed with flavor.
It is so easy to make: all you’ll have to do is cook the vegetables in olive oil, followed by adding the chickpeas and veggie broth. From there, mix the dried couscous into the heated broth. You can check out the full recipe on Cooking For Peanut‘s official page.
Palestinian Salata Falahiyeh
When devouring such meaty dishes, you’ll need something fresh to lighten up your meal. That is where a salad can come in, not just any salad but Palestine’s very own salata falahiyeh (farmer’s salad). Around the world, there is always some version of the iconic duo of tomato and cucumber salad, and Palestine is no exception.
The Palestinian Salata Falahiyeh is different from other tomato-cucumber salads because its cucumbers and tomatoes are finely diced into cubes no larger than a dry chickpea. Then mint and parsley are sprinkled on top.
You cannot forget to add diced onions for that potent, sulfury flavor, along with the olive oil, fresh lemon juice, and salt dressing.
Lebanese Hashweh Rice
Rice is the natural complement to any meat dish, but for this Eid al-Adha, we want to spice things up. With that, we introduce to you Lebanese Hashweh rice, adorned with meat, toasted nuts, and raisins and packed with aromatic flavors.
Hashweh is basically a one-pot rice dish packed with ground or minced beef (or lamb), lots of toasted nuts, and dried fruit like raisins.
Across Lebanon, it is given the name Hashweh because that translates to “stuffed,” and with this rice dish, you feel like it is stuffed with minced meat. All you need to do to make this dish is brown the minced meat with aromatics and warm spices.
Then just add the rice and mix in water and extra virgin olive oil, and you’re basically done. To get the full recipe, check out The Mediterranean Dish‘s official page.
Jordan’s Moutabel Dip
In the Arab world, people love meaty dishes like kofta or grilled chicken with the accompaniment of delicious mezze like tahini and baba ghanoush. Every Arab country plays around with its mezze, and when it comes to Jordan, they made a mezze similar to the classic baba ghanoush called Moutabel.
Moutabel is a dip made from roasted eggplant, tahini (sesame paste), and yogurt. It is seasoned with olive oil, lemon juice, and salt to make a delicious and creamy dip.
You can make your own at home by roasting the eggplant on an oven top, peeling it, and then mixing its flesh with lemon juice, salt, garlic, yogurt, and tahini. Check out Legal Nomads for the full recipe.
Algerian Loubia
Who doesn’t love an appetizer or side dish packed with protein and boasting a zesty tomato-based sauce? In Algeria and even in Tunisian, Moroccan, and Libyan homes, loubia is a treasured dish that offers a delicious and hearty experience for many families and friends.
The popular dish of stewed white beans is the ultimate comfort food and accompaniment to a hearty, meaty Eid meal. Extremely simple and quick to make, it is unsurprising to know that this recipe is a go-to across homes of the Maghreb region.
To make it at home, cook the beans in water over medium heat, adding salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for at least an hour, then add more water and pureed tomatoes, garlic, salt, paprika, and cumin. For the full recipe, check out Food‘s official page.
Along with all those meaty and hearty dishes that you’ll enjoy this Eid, you’ll also get to indulge in side dishes that will make the entire experience more unique and memorable.