The United Arab Emirates is one of the most cosmopolitan countries in the Middle East that offers a plethora of attractions for the planeloads of tourists who visit this destination every year. Among all the many wonders this country has in store, its cuisine is something that tops the chart. Arabian cuisine in general is delicious, fresh and has just the right amount of spices. People around the globe visit the Arabian nations just to savour their authentic delicacies. The excellence of cuisine prepared to an Emirati style truly reflects the marvel of this nation. From cuisines that have made their way into the Guinness Book of World Records, to quick snacks to simplicity in style you find it all in the top 5 dishes in the UAE.

If you are wondering the name of the dish that made its way into the Guinness Book of World Records, it is none other than the stuffed camel and it really come as no surprise that the record it broke was related to the subject of size. This exorbitantly large dish is certainly fit for royalty and it is only served by very elite families during large occasions like wedding celebrations. It calls for one whole camel in all its size and glory, 20 chickens, one lamb several boiled eggs, fish and rice. All of these accompanying ingredients are stuffed into this camel and roasted in a special oven. This is certainly one amazing dish of the UAE. Then there is the Al Harees. The Harees is far simpler but requires a large amount of cooking. Made of meat and wheat and hardly any other spices the flavours of this dish are brought out by the minimal heat used to cook over a long period of time; usually overnight. The Al Harees is a popular dish during the month of Ramadan, in weddings and Eid Festivals.

Perhaps the dish that will always be an all time favourite is the Shawarma. Roasted chicken with garlic sauce, fries and pickles stuffed in Arabic Pita Bread; this is a treat that you can never get tired of; absolutely simple and utterly delicious. The Al Machboos is also another grand dish readily found in local restaurants. Made of rice, meat and dried lemon, this dish comes with a rich flavour. Finally don’t miss the Hunnus. A paste made of ground chikpease, this dish works excellently as a dip with vegetables or Pita bread.

The Desert Islands Resort & Spa by Anantara also serves a good number of traditional dishes. This Abu Dhabi resort makes the finest of Abu Dhabi beach hotels that one could reside in.

 

Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and hopes to visit them all someday.

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