Traditional Food In Qatar

1. Balaleet

Balaleet is a dish popular in the Gulf region. It has a sweet and sour taste, as it consists of cooked vermicelli with sugar, cardamom, rose water and saffron. After cooking, it’s served overlying an egg omelet. Variations of this dish can be found in India as sheer khurma and in Pakistan as Muzaffar. It is quite common to see this dish at the table during Eid al-Fitr.

2. Madrouba (beaten rice)

As evident by the title, Madrouba is a dish that involves cooking rice for long periods of time, followed by mashing of the ingredients together. This creates a supple, rich blend of flavor. Other ingredients like chicken pieces and spices can be added as well as dried limes which provide an earthy, citrus flavor. One mustn’t forget to add the cardamom ghee flavor and the fried onions.

3. Waraq enab (stuffed grape leaves)

Waraq Enab, or stuffed grape leaves, is quite versatile as it can be used as an appetizer or a main dish. It consists of grape leaves stuffed with rice, herbs, chopped tomatoes, lemon juice, oil, salt, and pepper. First, the grape leaves have to be simmered in olive oil and lemon juice. This process renders them plump and delicious. Next, they are stuffed with rice and herbs and then placed in a pan in which they are simmered for hours until the rice turns tender. The Waraq Enab can be served either hot or cold, depending on the preferences.

4. Machboos

Machboos is a versatile dish that consists of a heavily spiced rice and any type of meat including beef, camel, chicken, lamb, goat, shrimp or fish. It requires the addition of a Baharat spice mix that can either be prepared at home from a combination of spices or can be bought ready-made at a market. Some also consider the Machboos incomplete without the dried lemon or loomi. The preparation and presentation of this dish draws comparisons to the biriyani from India. The chicken machboos is the national dish of Kuwait.

5. Mehalabiya

Mehalabiya is a dessert popular during Ramadan period. It consists of milk, sugar, ground cardamom, rosewater, and ground pistachios. During preparation of this dish, milk is heated and sugar is added to this and mixed until it dissolves. Then, ground cardamom and rose water are added and the final mixture is placed in the refrigerator to set for a few hours. The final touch involves ground pistachios as garnish.

6. Kousa Mahshi (stuffed zucchini)

Kousa Mahshi is a dish that features zucchini as a base. In the preparation of this dish, a vegetable corer (manakra) is used to hollow out the zucchini, which is then stuffed with spiced rice and meat. The zucchini pieces are placed in a pan and cooked in red sauce for hours until they are tender. Those who want to try a vegetarian alternative can use chickpeas.

7. Tabbouleh

Tabbouleh is no simple salad. It requires precisely chopped vegetables, fresh parsley and bulgur or wheat. It is seasoned with just lime juice and olive oil. The true star of this dish is the heavily added parsley that perfectly balances the citrus flavor of the dish.

8. Falafel

Falafel is a very well known dish. It is a deep-fried ball made of ground chickpeas or fava beans and is commonly served with bread, either pita or a flatbread. Due to its widespread popularity, it has quickly become a common street food and can be consumed as snacks. In the preparation of this dish, the chickpeas are not cooked prior, as doing so would result in the loss of integrity of the falafel and it would fall apart. Instead, they are soaked overnight and then ground together with spices and then deep fried.

9. Simit (Turkish bagel)

Simit is also known as the Turkish Bagel. It has been consumed from as early as 1525. It is a circular bread encrusted with sesame seeds and is served plain or for breakfast with tea. It has become a common street food item and is now a symbol for the lower and middle class. It pairs well with cheese, cucumber, tomato, and olives.

10. Esh asaraya

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Esh asaraya is also known as the bread of the harem. It is a cheesecake dessert with cream topping. Ingredients include white bread, sugar syrup, thick cream, sugar, water, and ground pistachios. First, the bread is broken into crumbs and then baked until toasted. Then it is cooked with sugar syrup over heat until the mixture becomes golden and firm. Sugar is then added and heated to form the caramel mixture and then it is mixed. The final touch involves the spreading of thick cream on top. It is served when cold.

Enjoy Qatar

Whether you’re here for the sights or for the food, you’re sure to have your fill of fun! Qatar is a lovely place with delicious food that is sure to leave you wanting more. Don’t forget to check out the best places for biryani as well.