Omani cuisine
The cuisine of Oman is a mixture of several staples of Asian foods. Dishes are often based on chicken, fish, and lamb, as well as the staple of rice. Most Omani dishes tend to contain a rich mixture of spices, herbs, and marinades.[1]
General features
Although Omani cuisine varies within different regions of Oman, most dishes across the country have a staple of curry, cooked meat, rice, and vegetables.[2] Soups are also common and are usually made from chicken, lamb, and vegetables (e.g., smoked eggplant). The main meal is usually eaten in the middle of the day, while dinner is lighter.[3]
Typical Omani dishes
- Harees is wheat mixed with meat.
- Kahwa is an Omani coffee mixed with cardamom powder, often served as a symbol of hospitality. It is often served with dates and Omani halwa.[3]
- Kebab is a dish of curried meat (usually chicken or beef) barbecued or grilled, served with a side of vegetables.
- Mashuai is a dish consisting of a whole spit-roasted kingfish, served with a side of lemon rice.
- Machboos is a rice dish flavored with saffron and cooked over spicy meat. It is similar to an Indian Biriyani curry in terms of spices and flavors, and uses Basmati rice.[4]
- Muqalab is tripe and pluck cooked with a variety of spices, including cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, black pepper, ginger, garlic, and nutmeg.
- Shuwa is a meal eaten only on festive occasions. The dish consists of a whole cow or goat roasted in a special oven, which is a pit dug in the ground. This is usually a communal activity by an entire village. The meat is flavored with a variety of spices, then wrapped in sacks made of dry leaves, which are in turn placed into the oven.
- Sakhana is a thick soup made from wheat, dates, molasses, and milk, typically eaten during Ramadan.
- Halwa is a type of sweet made from wheat, flour, brown sugar, cardamom, saffron and rose water.[5]
Typical Omani beverages
Coffee is the national beverage, while tea is drunk for hospitality. Other popular beverages include laban (a kind of salty buttermilk), yoghurt drinks, and soft drinks.
See also
References
- ↑ Poniewozik, James (2002). "Traditional Omani Food". Oman Electronic Network. Retrieved 2011-03-21.
- ↑ "Oman Food". ushouldvisit.com. 2010. Retrieved 2011-03-28.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Cuisine of Oman". gowealthy.com. 2010. Archived from the original on 2012-08-28. Retrieved 2011-03-28.
- ↑ "Nation Dishes From Across The World, Namibia - Saint Kitts and Nevis". Travel Junction. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
- ↑ "Food in Oman". Journey Mart. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
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