ASIA #1 United Arab Emirates ( UAE )

EMIRATES are comprised of seven smaller federation of seven small former sheikhdoms.
Abudhabi is the largest Emirate followed by Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, Umm al Qaiwain and Ras ai-Khaimah.

Interesting Facts:
1. Capital - Abu dhabi
2. Language - Arabic is the official language and English is widely spoken.
3. Religion - Majority Muslim.

Dubai is the second largest of the seven emirates and ranks as the country's leading commercial center. A cosmopolitan city with very modern architecture, is a most vibrant and exciting destination combining city life, excellent tours, great shopping, first class restaurants and bars, beautiful beaches, recreational activities such as golfing, fishing, sailing, scuba-diving, desert safaris, dune driving and a very active nightlife.

Dubai Skyline:

Dubai World Records:- 60% of the world Gold trade comes through Dubai
- 3rd biggest ports operator in the world
- The biggest development company in the world, market rank: Emaar
- The fastest growing airline: Emirates
- The biggest mideast non oil company, assest rank: 1st: Dubai World, 2nd: Dubai Holding

Dubai Burj Tower - World's tallest building:


Al Burj (The Tall Tower) project being planned by Nakheel will be 1,050 metres tall, comfortably exceeding the height of the rival Burj Dubai and making it the world’s tallest building. Source: Fahad Inc.



ATLANTIS, THE PALM




* Atlantis, the Palm is a resort rising from the warm waters of the Arabian Gulf, this luxury resort is situated on 113 acres at Palm Jumeirah in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
* The resort consists of two towers linked by a bridge, with a total of approximately two thousand rooms. There are two Palm Jumeirah Monorail stations connecting the resort to the main section of the Palm Jumeirah islands.
* The five stars resort also includes a water theme park (160,000 square meters), a conference center, and 20,000 square feet (1,900 m2) of retail space.

Amazing right?!!

The Mysterious Lovely Dubai Desserts:

SHARJAH

RECIPIES OF THE POPULAR DISHES OF EMIRATES

1. FLAT BREAD (Raqaq Bread)



* The "raqaq" bread is made from soft unleavened dough that is flattened and baked on a hot iron plate.
* When the bread is ready, a variety of toppings such as ghee, butter and sugar, cheese or meat gravy is spread onto it.
Delicious Roti right?!!!

2. YEAST BREAD



* The dough is made by mixing wheat flour, warm water, yeast and a date paste (which consists of grounded dates that were pre-soaked in water).
* The dough is left to rest for about four hours and is then cut into several pieces.
* Each piece is shaped into a flat circle and fried on both sides in a pan (or baked in a traditional oven called "tabi").
* The bread is then topped with honey and butter or cheese. This bread is traditionally baked as a special treat during Ramzan.
Ramzan yeast bread is now easy! Try out..!

3. AL HAREES

Al harees is one of the most savoured dishes in the UAE kitchen and it involves a lengthy preparation. Al harees, which is made mainly from meat and wheat, is quite prominent one during special occasions such as Ramadan, Eid and weddings.

* Al harees is made by cooking ground wheat in a pot with a pinch of salt, to which the meat is then added. The mixture is then left for long hours until it is fully cooked and the meat is completely dissolved into the wheat.
* The mixture is then poured into a clay pot and placed in a clay oven or inside a specially prepared hole on the ground that is filled with burning coal. The pot is then completely covered with the coal and left for several hours after which the thick mixture is removed and thoroughly stirred with a special piece of wood called "midrib." The final product is then topped with local ghee and placed onto flat plates.

Simpler version of Al Harees detailed recipe for you is below.

4. AL MAJBOOS

The main ingredients of Al Majboos are meat (which can be replaced by chicken or shrimp) and rice.
* The meat is placed in boiling water and a local blend of spices and dried lime are added.
* Fried chopped onion is added to the cooked meat, followed by a vegetable medley usually consisting of potatoes, tomatoes and green peppers. The mixture is left to cook on low heat for a short period.
* Cooked rice as well as saffron are then added to the meat mixture in layers.
* Finally, Al Majboos is left to cook on low fire or in an oven for about 10 minutes.

This is similar to our Dum Briyani, right?!!

5. AL SALONA

* The dish is prepared by boiling meat with onions and then adding a variety of vegetables (zucchini, eggplant, onions, pepper, tomato and some okra).
* Spices and tomato paste are also added and the mixture is left to simmer for 10 minutes until ready.

This dish is like meat soup.. sounds delicious know?!!

6. AL MADROOBA

Fish is used heavily in Emirati Cuisine in a variety of recipies: grilled, fried or cooked with rice.

This dish consists of salt-cured fish (known locally as "Maleh" or salty) and flour. * The fish is cleaned thoroughly in running water and then cooked in a pot along with spices.
* While cooking, flour is added to the fish until the sauce thickens. Topped with ghee before serving.

Quite different recipe know..?!

DESSERTS
7. AL KHABEESAH



* This dessert is made from flour which is heated on a stovetop.
* As its colour turns brown, rose water, sugar, ghee and cardamom are added.
* The mixture is then left on medium heat until ready.

This is similair to our Wheat Halwa.. Right?!! Rose water is a variation..!

8. AL KHANFAROOSH


* This is prepared from a mixture of flour, egg, sugar, yeast, cardamom, saffron and rose water.
* The mixture is then left to rest, after which it is divided into pieces and fried in ghee.
* The flour is sometimes replaced with rice, where the rice is washed and then left in the sun to dry after which it is finely ground before use.

Mmm.. yummmy know! Will try out for sure! Looks like our tamilnadu paniyaaram :)

TRADITIONAL RECIPE OF THE COUNTRY:

AL HAREEZ

INGREDIENTS:

1. Mutton - 1 Kg,
2. Basmati Rice - 1/2 cup,
3. Wheat grains - 1 cup (chopped),
4. Whole green pulse - 1/2 cup,
5. Onions - 2 (Finely chopped),
6. Black pepper (Freshly ground) - 3 tsp,
7. Garlic paste - 1 tsp,
8. Salt - as per taste,
9. Oil - for frying.

HOW TO MAKE AL HAREES:

1. Soak the wheat grains in water overnight. Strain them in the morning before preparing.
2. Boil the rice and whole pulse in some water with salt.
3. Fry onions in oil until golden brown and add the garlic paste. Stir for a minute then add the meat, salt and water and cook on low heat until well cooked. Take out the meat without broth from the pan and crush it with a hand crusher.
4. Put back the meat in the same broth along with the wheat and cook well. Then add the rice and pulse in the meat mixture along with the black pepper and cook further. Mix thoroughly with the help of a wooden spoon until the meat and grains are well mixed.
4. Seperately in a frying pan fry some sliced onion until brown and add the onions and oil to the hareesa.

Serve hot with Chapati/Roti.

I checked this recipe from here, do look for more varieties.

Picture and content courtesy: Yahoo, Google, Wikipedia, Nations online.

Mmmm... Delicious right?!! An Arabic treat for you...!!

Hope you all enjoyed..! Let me know your comments and suggestions.

Meet you in another country blog!