Smita Dey

স্পষ্ট ভাষী মানুষ

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Saudi Arabian Dinner Foods

Saudi Arabian dinner foods and etiquette are different from western countries. These symbolize the heritage of the country.

Saudi Arabian foods as well as dinner foods represent their rich past and tradition. Traditional Saudi Arabian dinner foods are one of the signs of their affluent heritage and tradition.

These foods are not changed for centuries. Saudis adore their traditional dishes. The flavour and taste of these foods are the reason to be adorable to the Saudis for thousands of years.

Saudi Arabian Dinner Etiquette

Like foods dinner etiquette of Saudi Arabia represent the culture and tradition of the country. Men and women are not allowed to have their dinner and other meals sitting together. Women are allowed to have their meals only with their children, husbands and siblings.

According to Islamic law, it is must to begin the meal with the word “Bismillah”.

Before and after taking the meal, they wash their hands as hands are used to have the meal. They usually use right hands to eat. Keeping the left hand on the table is not acceptable. Passing food with the left hand is also not acceptable.

The guests need to leave some foods on the plate indicating the host has arranged plenty of foods.

Dinner in Saudi Arabia

Dinner in Saudi Arabia is the last meal of the day. Dinner is usually similar to lunch in Saudi Arabia. Saudi people usually take their dinner at late night. Their usual dinner time is 10 pm to midnight.

Saudi Arabian Dinner foods

Like all other countries, Saudi cuisine is based on the availability of local foods.  The availability of local food is limited as desert occupies many lands in Saudi Arabia. In eastern and southern parts of Saudi Arabia dates, camel milk and camel meats were available for diet. In many parts of Saudi Arabia wheat, rice, beans and dates are available.[1]

However, fava beans, wheat, rice, dates, yogurt and chicken are the staple foods for the Saudi people. Each person consumes 88.2 pounds of chicken a year.[2] Sheep, goat, camel are also available in Saudi Arabian dinner and other meals.

Restricted Foods in Saudi Arabia

Saudis follow Islamic law strictly. They have restriction to have some specific foods. Pork is prohibited according to Islamic law in Saudi Arabia. Drinking alcohol is also forbidden. They also follow Islamic rules for slaughtering animals.

Dinner Dishes in Saudi Arabia

Traditional Saudi dinner consists of plain rice, biriyani, meat curries, kabza, tomato or chicken soup, vegetables, salad etc. Rice, lamb, hummus, lettuce salad and labneh are very common at dinner is Saudi Arabia. They also consume kebab, tandoori with roti or bread and shawarmas etc.  In fact they consume various dishes prepared with rice, vegetables and meat. Here are some of these.

1. Kabsa

It is the national dish of Saudi Arabia. It is a mixed rice dish. Long-grained basmati rice is the main ingredient of the dish. Rice is mixed with meats and vegetables. Various flavorful spices used to prepare the dish and to bring the recipe to a different extent of flavour and taste. you can prepare the delicious dish with kabsa rice mix at your home with less efforts.

Kabsa

2. Mandi

The dish is similar to Kabsa. But the cooking method is different from Kabsa. This dish is prepared with the smoke of charcoal.

Mandi

3. Jereesh

This dish is one of the oldest dishes in Saudi Arabia. It is favourable to Saudis for hundreds of years. The ingredients of this dish are boiled crushed wheat, rice, onion, vegetable or meat broth. The heavenly taste of the dish is really unforgettable. It is a popular dish also in the month of Ramadan.[3]

Jereesh

4. Shawarma

The Middle-Eastern dish is trendy in Saudi Arabia. Meat is cut into thin pieces and shaped in cone shape. Then it is roasted on a slow-turning spit. It was introduced first with lamb or mutton. Chicken shawarma is introduced and has become very popular.

Shawarma

5. Hummus

This popular dish is prepared with chickpeas. Chickpeas are blended with tahini- a condiment made from toasted ground hulled sesame, olive oil, lemon juice and garlic.

Hummus

6. Thareed

The dish is prepared with bread pieces in broth of vegetables or meat. This dish can be served alone or with rice depending on diner’s desire. It is another popular dish in Ramadan.

Thareed

7. Saleeg

This white-rice dish is cooked in broth and milk. It is similar to Italian risotto. Chicken or meat can also be used to prepare the recipe. It is served with chili tomato sauce and pickled lemon.

Saleeg

You can try these if you are bored with the regular dinner dishes. If you have not tasted such food, yet you will not be deprived to have a heavenly dinner.

Conclusion

So, you can realize now Saudi Arabian dinner foods as well Saudi cuisine is not only based on dates and couscous. You will feel comfortable with their dinner etiquette and foods as you are acquainted with these now.



References:

  1. http://www.safaritheglobe.com/
  2. http://www.foodbycountry.com/
  3. https://www.weetas.com/