foodbriefs
Topic

The Arab world

One language, twenty-two states and no agreement about what that means.

21
in food
1:06
average
23 min
in total
22
across the network
The Arab world across the network →
All briefs21
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1:04

Brik

A North African triangular pastry pocket, commonly deep-fried, filled with egg, tuna, harissa, onion, and parsley.
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1:09

Falafel

A deep-fried or baked fritter made from soaked, uncooked chickpeas and herbs, shaped into balls or patties.
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0:57

Harira

A thick North African soup with lentils, chickpeas, tomato, meat, and warm spices, traditionally served during Ramadan.
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1:23

Harissa

A fiery Tunisian chili paste made from roasted red and Baklouti peppers, spices, garlic, and olive oil.
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0:48

Kabsa

A one-pot Arab rice dish from Saudi Arabia or Yemen, made with rice, meat, vegetables, and spices.
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1:14

Kibbeh

A Levantine dish of spiced lean ground meat and bulgur wheat, formed into ovoid shapes and often garnished with toasted pine nuts.
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1:04

Knafeh

A traditional Arab dessert of spun pastry dough layered with cheese and soaked in sugar syrup.
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1:26

Kofta

Kofta is a family of meatball and meatloaf dishes across South Asian, Central Asian, Balkan, Middle Eastern, North African, and South Caucasian cuisines.
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1:11

Lahmacun

A thin flatbread topped with spiced minced meat and vegetables, baked and often wrapped with fresh produce.
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1:01

Manakish

A Levantine flatbread pastry topped with za'atar, cheese, or ground meat, traditionally shaped by hand and baked in communal or tabun ovens.
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0:57

Mandi (food)

A traditional Arab rice-and-meat dish cooked in a tannour oven, with regional variations across the Arab world and in Hyderabad.
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1:18

Mansaf

A traditional Jordanian dish of lamb simmered in fermented dried yogurt sauce, served with rice or bulgur.
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1:09

Méchoui

A whole lamb or sheep spit-roasted over embers in Maghrebi cuisine, seasoned with ras el hanout and cooked with kidneys left in.
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1:03

Pilaf

A rice dish cooked in stock or broth with spices and optional meat or vegetables, prized for separate, plump grains.
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0:49

Shawarma

A Middle Eastern street food of thin-sliced meat roasted on a vertical spit and shaved off as it cooks.
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0:46

Shish kebab

Skewered and grilled cubes of meat, traditionally lamb, with regional variations using other meats, poultry, or fish.
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0:57

Tabbouleh

A Levantine salad of finely chopped parsley, soaked bulgur, tomatoes, mint, and onion, seasoned with olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and sweet pepper.