Arab culture uses desserts to celebrate important occasions such as weddings, births, and achievements. Common dessert ingredients include homemade syrup made from sugar, water and lemon juice, as well as cheese and nuts. Baklava is a traditional dessert made of thin layers of phyllo dough filled with nuts and drizzled with syrup. Hummus and falafel are popular appetizers made from chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice and spices and served with pita bread. Mains such as makloubeh, a rice and meat dish served upside down, and couscous showcase ingredients adapted to each country while maintaining consistent flavors.

1. Exploring delicious Arab foods to help
us better understand the culture

2. •In Arabic culture desserts are used to celebrate
important occasions. These special occasions include
weddings, new cars, new babies, new jobs, promotions,
good grades, Christmas, Easter, and any other notable
achievements.
•A common ingredient in many of the deserts of Arab
culture include a homemade syrup. This syrup is made
of sugar, water, and a little bit of lemon juice.
•Cheese and nuts are also commonly found in the
desserts of Arab culture.

3. Baklava
(bä'klə-vä', bä'klə-vä')
Baklava is a traditional Arab dessert made of thin
layers of Phyllo dough and filled with nuts (most
commonly walnuts) . A simple homemade syrup
is poured on top for additional flavor.

4. Knafe
Kunāfah/Künefe
The main ingredients include a shredded dough, cheese, and
syrup. Orange dye is used to make the shredded dough so
bright and sugar is added to make the cheese sweeter.

5. Luqamait
(Also known as Arab donut holes)
These tasty delights are made of butter, flour, sugar, milk, and
cardamom. After the dough is fried, the syrup is added for
additional flavor. These are usually served during Ramadan.

6. Mamoul
(ma-moul)
The dough is made out of fine sugar, wheat flour, butter, and water. The
filling is made of dates (without seeds), and butter. The designs are
traditionally etched on the dough by hand. Powdered sugar is used for
an additional touch.

7. There are variety of main course dishes
throughout the Arab culture. Some
recipes are slightly changed between
different cities, but the overall ingredients
remain consistent throughout the culture.

8. Hummus
[hoom-uhs]
The main ingredient in hummus is chickpeas. The
chickpeas are ground and mixed with lemon juice, oil,
and garlic. Hummus can be served as an appetizer or
side and usually accompanied by pita bread.

9. Falafel
(fuh-lah-fuhl)
The main ingredient in falafel is also chickpeas. The
chickpeas are ground and mixed with spices. Then they
are fried into these lightly fried into balls. The outside is
crunchy, but the inside is soft. Falafels can be served as
an appetizer or side and usually accompanied by
hummus and pita bread.

10. Warak-el-Dawali
(stuffed grape leaves)
Stuffed grape leaves are made of fresh vine leaves (also
available in jars), ground lamb, rice, pepper, tomatoes.
The rice is mixed with the ground lamb and pepper,
then rolled nicely into the image above. The grape leaves
are steamed with fresh tomatoes and water. They can be
served as a side dish or a main course.

11. Labneh
(strained yogurt)
This is yogurt that is strained in a cloth and has a texture
in between that of yogurt and cheese. It is served with
olive oil as a dip and accompanied by pita bread and
olives.

12. Makloubeh
(Maalouba)
This meal is always considered a main course in Arab
culture and is popular in Palestine.
The name means “upside down” which is exactly the
way this dish is served. It has lamb, rice, cauliflower,
and eggplant. It is also topped with toasted almonds and
pine nuts.

13. Couscous
(kuskus)
Couscous is made by rolling and shaping wheat flour.
Often times it can be purchased already shaped because
the process can be very time consuming. Couscous is
usually served with broth and chicken or lamb as a main
course. It can also be served as a side course with sugar.

14. Shawerma
(lamb, beef, or chicken)
Shawerma is considered fast food in Arab culture. It is
made of marinated meat including chicken, lamb, or beef
on a stick to roast around the flame for hours. It is then
sliced and served in sandwiches with hummus, and
vegetables such as pickles, peppers, onions, and tomatoes.

15. As you can see Arab culture has a variety of
foods including desserts, main courses, and
sides. Each one of these foods may be slightly
changed in each country, but the main
ingredients are usually consistent.
All of these foods can teach you something
new about Arab culture. You can also visit
your local Middle Eastern restaurants and
compare those foods to the traditional foods
you have learned about.