Embracing traditional meals from across the world
Embracing traditional meals from across the world
By Kalayaan Garcia de Vera
Your Holistic Nutritionist
I am just returning from a short but sweet trip to the United Arab Emirates and in the 3 days I had spent in Dubai, I was able to get a glimpse of the sights as well as the culture, more specifically a taste of their traditional Emirate food.
I was brought to an elegant wind tower house in the old Emirati neighbourhood of Bastakiya. It is home to the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding (SMCCU) and its services. It is here that people are welcomed to join locals for brunch. It’s a rare opportunity to taste genuine regional cuisine, but it’s also a chance to meet local Emiratis, to ask questions and exchange views.
I enjoyed the whole experience as it explained alot about the culture from having the youngest boy in the house serving the guests to the hosts and hostess eating until the last guest is finished eating. The Local diet and dishes are made mostly of fish, meat and rice. During this brunch they explained how the traditional Emirati meal begins with Arabic Coffee known as “Gahua Arabia” this drink of hospitality is made of lightly roasted Arabica Beans, cardamom and saffron, which are ground and boiled. The coffee is strained and served hot in small cups keeping it just the right temperature. This mixture is excellent in starting a meal as the cardamom and saffron will improve digestion and also has detoxifying properties.
Next you are served dates, a staple in the Emirati Diet and served at the beginning of the meal. Rich in vitamins A,B, and K and minerals such as potassium, calcium, manganese, iron and copper, antioxidants and flavonoids, not to mention it is chock full fibre which may very well explain why they have the lowest rate of intestinal diseases. Dates are harvested locally and more than 40 varieties of dates are grown in the UAE which make up 60% of the fruit and vegetable trade in the region.
And then it was time to dig in, no lining up, no order just everybody filling their plates with the wonderful spread laid down on the floor upon us.
The buffet consisted of:
Nikhee or Dunghaw – which is a chickpea dish boiled with spices and sometimes hot chili peppers. Nikhee/Dunghaw remains a consistent part of a Bedouin or local meal.
Chabab – an Emirati pancake made with flour, eggs, sugar and spices like cardamom added for flavour. Its yellow colour comes from a dash of saffron and it is served with dates syrup.
Khamir – simply the Arabic word for yeast is another type of bread served for breakfast with fresh cheese. It is a mixture of yeast ,flour, milk powder, and is sprinkled with sesame seeds and cooked to a toasty brown colour.
Machoos – is made in several different ways with either meat, chicken or fish. The rice is seasoned with whole spices like cardamom, cloves, cinnamon. dried lemon, yellow raisins and lentils. The taste and flavour of this dish can vary from every Emirati family.
Fareeth – layers of bread that is used instead of pasta or rice. Meat and vegetables are boiled until soft, spiced and stew is poured over the bread layers.
Ligamat – the sweet of the Emiratis, it is a moist “drop” deep fried in ghee and served with local “dibbs” or dates syrup. These doughnuts are served at any time for breakfast food or late night dessert.
At the end of the meal we are served Moroccan mint tea with honey to help ease digestion.
This was an experience I will remember forever as it has satisfied my appetite for nutrition through food as well as culture. “Open Doors, Open Minds” Sheikh Mohammed Cultural Centre is a must experience for anyone travelling in the UAE, I look forward to bringing my family back to Dubai to enjoy such a wonderful experience for the mind, body and soul.
————————————-
(Kalayaan Garcia de Vera is a Registered Holistic Nutritionist who graduated at the top of her class with honours at The Canadian School of Natural Nutrition.. As a member of the Canadian Holistic Association of Nutritionists Professionals, she has conducted weight loss studies and detoxification workshops. Her website is www.yourholisticnutritionist.com)
Comments (0)