The Arabic world is renowned for its diverse and sumptuous cuisine; and indeed, many dishes are delicious yet healthy. Renowned for fresh ingredients, bold flavors, and nutritional facts independently, the cuisines have gained momentum in being the favorite among foodies around the planet. Following are five Arabic dishes one should not miss, each introducing a different taste of the region’s gastronomic delight:.
Manakish
Manakish is often likened to the Lebanese pizza-only very versatile: it is made on a base of dough, covered with toppings, most typically za’atar. Za’atar is a pungent herb in a mixture with thyme, sumac, sesame seeds, and olive oil. After baking in an oven, the bread is crispy and fragrant; it can be enjoyed almost on its own with many toppings.
Manakish can be versatile, either with cheese, ground meat, or vegetables, for any meal of the day. Its simplicity and unpretentiousness particularly are what have made it dear to Arabic cuisine.
Shawarma
Shawarma has gained international appeal due to its profusion of flavors and satisfying texture. Common meats, such as chicken, beef, and lamb, are exposed to this food from a vertical rotisserie. The meat is thinly shaved, wrapped in a warm pita or flatbread, and is usually served with fresh vegetables, pickles, and a number of sauces, such as tahini, garlic sauce, and hummus. What gives Shawarma its distinctive taste is its marinade, which usually contains spices such as cumin, coriander, paprika, and turmeric. With juicy meat and crunchy veggies, shawarma is both a tasty meal and a filling one; it is representative of Arabic street food.
Kebab
Kebab is another quintessential Arabic dish that has wowed the whole world of food lovers. It involves marinated and grilled meat; the popularly used meats are lamb, chicken, and beef. The meat is prepared with a mixture of spices, herbs, and yogurt that tenderizes the meat as well as gives strong flavors.
The kebabs come in many forms, with some common ones being shish kebabs, where big chunks of meat are literally grilled on skewers, and kofta kebabs, which are made up of ground meat with a mixture of herbs and spices. Serve with rice, a salad, or flatbread; the kebab is an appetizing representative of Arabic grilling traditions.
Moussaka
While often associated with Greek cuisine, Moussaka is actually a staple across the broader Middle Eastern and Arabic culinary landscape. This comforting and substantial dish includes layers of sliced eggplants, mincemeat usually of lamb or beef, and a savory tomato sauce topped with creamy béchamel sauce. Slice the eggplant and either grill or fry it, then put it together with the meat and sauce.
The rich bechamel covers it with an essence of luxury; little question why moussaka is among the most indulgent dishes in Arabic dining. It is a dish highly tipped because of tender eggplants upholstering meat flavors mixed into a creamy sauce.
Falafel
Falafel is one of the favorite vegetarian dishes throughout the Arabic world. It can be made with ground chickpeas or fava beans mixed in with herbs and spices. These small, crispy fritters are usually served in pita bread or flatbread, most often just with fresh vegetables, some pickles, and tahini sauce. Falafel has this perfect balance between being crunchy on the outside and a soft, flavored interior; it is, therefore, one of the favorite street foods and is a healthy option for those who seek plant-based meals. Its broad appeal made it a staple in Arabic cuisine. For those who wish to taste these supreme Arabic dishes and many more, Manakish Oven & Grill presents just the culinary experience that any food lover will want to have in Milpitas. Whether it is finding an Arabic restaurant in Santa Clara, CA, or seeking catering for Mediterranean food in Sunnyvale, CA, Manakish Oven & Grill will be there to serve you. The restaurant also extends fine catering for Arabic cuisine in Mountain View, CA, and beyond