DTCM brings authentic Emirati cuisines at Heritage Villages during DSF
Each evening, hundreds of people head to Heritage Villages created in Al Shindagha and The JBR Walk in Dubai Marina to watch the rich Emirati heritage and culture unfolding before their eyes while taking time out to try out the best of authentic Emirati cuisines amidst the colourful and festive sights.
A desire to taste the truly local food is one strong reason that draws them to visit the sprawling venues during the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF-2010) which runs until February 28.
“I got here everything I wanted to learn about the arts and culture of the emirate and tried the authentic Emirati cuisines prepared by local women. I now knew for sure why the history is full of stories praising Arabian hospitality. But for the Heritage Village, I would have not known this vibrant facet given the cosmopolitan composition of Dubai,” said Mark and Julie, a British couple who walked down their hotel room in Dubai Marina to watch the winter evening festivities.
Mr. Khalid Ali bin Gharib, Head of DTCM’s Organizing Committee for DSF-2010 Events, said: “Dubai Shopping Festival is an excellent opportunity to recreate Dubai’s rich cultural traditions and this year our special events highlight the country’s ancient history. Cuisines are a big draw with the visitors, especially from the Western countries. Through the Heritage Villages, we have been successful in bringing our time-honed culinary delights to the world.”
A recent report from Mintel recommends Dubai as a new hot location for UK food lovers. Emerging gastro-tourism hot spot Dubai is also one of the countries topping the Post Office Travel Services’ Holiday Money Report for travel money value.
One of the highlights of the culinary tourism programme is the live preparations of cuisines that visitors can watch and go on trying out one dish after another – a bit of learn-while-you-eat concept. The Emirati women who cook the dishes and sell for reasonable prices are too enthusiastic to explain about their open-air kitchen offerings.
The Emirati dishes have been passed down from generation to generation and remained an integral part of the local community’s social and cultural scene. Over the years, some of the dishes have either come under the influence of or left a lasting impression on the cuisines from other regions.
In the traditional Emirati cuisine, rice, meat and fish are used a lot in the preparation of several dishes. Al Harees and Al Machboos are popular local dishes. There are a number of traditional dishes served during different occasions.
Al Harees, which is made mainly from meat and wheat, is a popular treat during special occasions such as Ramadan, Eid and weddings.
Al Machboos, which is also called Al Makboos, has red meat as its main ingredient (which can be replaced by chicken or shrimp) and rice.
Popular dishes also include:
Al Muhammar bil dibs: Rice cooked with dibs, which is a sweet extract derived from dates.
- Al Thereed: Bread mixed with meat gravy.
- Al Qurs Al Mafrook: Round dough is poured into a clay pot and placed inside a specially prepared hole in the ground. It is later mixed with ghee.
- Al Reqa’aq: It is made from soft unleavened dough that is flattened and baked on a hot iron plate.
- Al Muhala: Similar to Al Reqa’aq bread with egg spread on top.
- Al Khameer: Flour mixed with date paste and sugar is baked over burning coal and kept overnight.
- Al Chebab: Made from flour, sugar, milk, eggs and water.
- Al Sago: Al Sago is a dessert made up of wheat mixed with ghee, sugar and cardamom.
- Al Balaleet: A kind of pasta made with sugar, eggs, ghee, onions and cinnamon.
- Al Jareesh: Al Jareesh is made of “Borghol”, which is a kind of crushed wheat.
- Batheetha: Batheetha is a popular traditional dessert made of date paste, flour and ghee. The best time to make Batheetha is during the winter.
Other famous Emirati dishes are Al Chami, Al Logimat and Mathrouba.
Originally published by http://www.dubaitourism.ae
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