Deutsch: Arabisch / Español: Árabe / Português: Árabe / Français: Arabe / Italiano: Arabo

Arabic cuisine refers to the culinary traditions stemming from the Arab world, which encompasses countries in the Middle East and North Africa. This cuisine is diverse, rich in flavors and spices, and has evolved over centuries of cultural exchanges and regional developments.

Description

Arabic food is characterized by its aromatic and flavorful spice blends, including ingredients like saffron, cinnamon, cardamom, and sumac. Staple foods include grains such as rice and barley, legumes like lentils and chickpeas, and a variety of meats including lamb, chicken, and beef. Fresh vegetables and fruits are essential, and dishes are often accompanied by flatbreads like pita or taboon.

Application Areas

Arabic cuisine can be seen across various dining contexts:

• Mezze: Small dishes served as appetizers to stimulate the appetite, similar to Spanish tapas. Common mezze dishes include hummus, tabbouleh, and baba ghanoush.
• Main Courses: Typically involve grilled meats, stews, and rice dishes. Popular examples are kebabs, kofta, and biryani.
• Desserts: Known for their sweetness and often made with nuts, honey, and phyllo pastry. Famous desserts include baklava and kunafa.

Well-Known Examples

Some universally recognized dishes from Arabic cuisine include:

• Hummus: A creamy dip made from chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, and garlic.
• Falafel: Deep-fried balls or patties made from ground chickpeas or fava beans, often served in pita bread with salads, pickled vegetables, hot sauce, and tahini-based sauces.
• Shawarma: Meat cut into thin slices, stacked in a cone-like shape, and roasted on a slowly turning vertical rotisserie or spit.

Recipes

Basic Hummus Recipe: Ingredients:

• 1 can (400 grams) of chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 2 tablespoons tahini (sesame paste)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and ground cumin to taste
• Water as needed

Instructions:

1. Blend Ingredients: In a food processor, combine the chickpeas, tahini, garlic, and lemon juice. Blend until smooth.
2. Add Liquids: While blending, slowly add olive oil and a little water to achieve the desired consistency.
3. Season: Add salt and cumin to taste, adjusting the seasoning as necessary.
4. Serve: Transfer to a serving dish and drizzle with additional olive oil. Optionally, garnish with paprika or chopped parsley.

Weblinks

• allerwelt-lexikon.de: 'Arabisch' in the allerwelt-lexikon.de (German)

Summary

Arabic cuisine offers a vast array of dishes known for their vibrancy and depth of flavor, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of the Arab world. This cuisine is not only appreciated for its diverse flavors but also for its emphasis on hospitality and sharing, making mealtime a communal and cherished event.

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