Apart from amazing attractions, Qatar also has a rich culinary heritage and here are some traditional dishes worth introducing your taste buds to!
Thareed
A dish popularly made during the month of Ramadan, thareed is much like a stew; vegetables such as beans, carrots, potatoes and onions are cooked along with lamb or chicken and the addition of spices and tomato sauce. At the bottom of this dish, bread is placed to soak up the stew. If you’re staying at Doha-based hotel apartments in Qatar, look for eateries that serve this delectable dish.
Machboos
Also, worth savouring is machboos which has similarities to Indian biryani; it features rice that’s cooked in flavourful spices and a choice of meat be it chicken, camel, lamb or seafood. Some variations include sprinkling rose water and lime on top too. City centre properties like Al Najada Doha Hotel Apartments by Oaks provide easy access to local restaurants where you can try such dishes.
Balaleet
A heavenly combination of savoury and sweet awaits those who try balaleet which can be eaten for breakfast or as a dessert! Amongst the key ingredients is fried vermicelli which adds a crunchy element, while this dish is topped with a yummy omelette too. More flavour additions come through the inclusion of saffron, cardamom and cinnamon.
Desserts
There are several desserts in Qatar that those with a sweet tooth will love. Amongst these is luqaimat, another Ramadan favourite that features small dumplings that are deep-fried and coated in honey or sugar syrup. Foodies can also sample a delicious bread pudding called umm ali and a creamy pudding known as mehalabiya.
For foodies, traditional Qatari dishes to try include thareed (a stew), machboos (rice and meat), balaleet (savoury and sweet) and mehalabiya pudding!
