As far back as 2500 B.C rice has been documented not only as a source of food, but a marker of tradition & heritage. From Nasi Goreng, to Maqluba & Biryani, the Muslim World is beautifully diverse & home to a variety of rice dishes
A thread on rice dishes across the Muslim World
1/ Nasi Goreng
Nasi Goreng, a beloved Indonesian fried rice, comes with a fried egg on top and bursts with flavor from sweet soy sauce (Kecap Manis) and shrimp paste. A highly sought-after dish in Southeast Asian cuisine.
2/ Bariis iskukaris, Somalia
A national dish of Somalia, made from basmati rice, often topped with raisins, peas, fried potatoes, onions, and peppers, and served with roasted lamb, beef, goat, camel, or chicken. Popular at weddings and a staple dish.
3/ Kabuli Pulao (Spiced Lamb Pilaf), Afghanistan
Kabuli Pulao, an Afghan rice dish, features tender lamb cooked with a delightful spice blend, piled high on rice, and served with carrots, raisins, and toasted almonds.
4/ Mansaf, Jordan
A classic Jordanian meal with plain yogurt sauce, mixed with lamb broth simmered for hours with spices. Served on a large dish with rice, forming three delicious layers.
5/ Mandi, Yemen
Mandi, a traditional dish from Hadhramaut, Yemen, is a delightful combination of meat and rice cooked with special spices in an underground pit. A delicious dish, widely loved and popular in the Arabian Peninsula.
6/ Skudahkharis, Djibouti
Skudahkharis, the undisputed national dish of Djibouti, is commonly served during Eid al-Adha. Prepared with rice, lamb, and aromatic ayurvedic spices like cardamom, it complements chicken, beef, or fish dishes perfectly.
7/ Zarda
Zarda, a classic Mughal dessert, features rice, sugar, nuts, and cardamom seeds. Its name derives from the Urdu word 'Zard', meaning yellow, reflecting its vibrant hue of yellow or orange!
8/ Maqluba
Maqluba is a traditional dish served in Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan, and Syria throughout the Levant. It combines meat, rice, and fried vegetables in a pot, which is flipped upside down when served, giving it the name "maqluba," meaning "upside-down."
9/ Biryani
A mixed rice dish originating among the Muslims of the Indian subcontinent. It is made with spices, rice, and usually some type of meat or in some cases without any meat, and sometimes, in addition, eggs and potatoes.
10/ Nasi Lemak, Malaysia
Malaysia's national dish, Nasi means rice & Lemak means rich or tasty." Rice is boiled in coconut milk with pandan leaves and spices, and served with sambal (chilli sauce with shrimp paste), fried dried anchovies, and roasted peanuts.
11/ Albaloo polo, Iran
An Iranian side dish of rice & sour cherries usually served with chicken, koobideh, as well as some form of stews/(Khoresht). In Persian, Albaloo means cherry, or more specifically morello cherry. Polo is a style of cooked rice, known in English as pilaf.
12/ Majboos
Also known as Kabsa and Makboos, Majboos is a traditional mixed rice dish originating from Saudi Arabia. It is popular across the Arab World, particularly in the Gulf countries, including Oman. The dish combines basmati rice, vegetables, meat or chicken, and… https://t.co/71g5L0XocJtwitter.com/i/web/status/1…
13/ Bambukeyolee Baiy, Maldives
A classic dish where rice is cooked with breadfruit and coconut milk. Served with Rihaakuru Dhiya (Maldivian fish broth), smoked tuna or Fihunu Mas, Lonumirus fresh limes, chillies, and onions for an exceptional meal.
14/ Koshri, Egypt
Similar to the Middle Eastern Mujadara, this dish is a comforting bowl of pantry staples: spiced lentils and rice mixed with chickpeas and small pasta. All coated in a tomato sauce with vinegar, topped with crispy, thin fried onion rings.
15/ Riz bi Haleeb, Lebanon
Riz bi Haleeb, translating to "rice pudding" in Arabic, puts a delightful twist on the traditional recipe. Infused with the scents of orange blossom water and rose water, this pudding offers aromatic hints of floral flavor.
16/Pilaf
Pilaf gets its name from its cooking technique. In this recipe, rice is sautéed with oil or ghee butter, onion, and an array of spices like cardamom, cumin, and star anise. The addition of vegetable broth adds an aromatic touch to the rice.
17/ Plov, Uzbekistan
Plov, a cherished and historic Uzbek dish, is also known as "pilaf" or "palov." It combines long-grain rice, tender lamb chunks, onions, and carrots.
18/ Jollof rice, West Africa
A popular dish in West Africa with numerous regional variations. Typically cooked in a single pot, it includes long-grain rice, tomatoes, onions, spices, vegetables, and meat, though the ingredients and preparation methods may differ.
19/ Sehriyeli Pilav, Turkey
In this specific pilaf, butter, oil, and orzo (a small rice-shaped pasta) are used for cooking. It serves as a delightful side to accompany grilled meats, stewed dishes, or any meal where plain rice would be served.
20/ Kheer
Kheer, also called payasam, is a beloved sweet dish and pudding widely popular in the Indian subcontinent. It involves boiling milk, sugar or jaggery, and rice, often garnished with cardamom and nuts.
21/ Kabsa
Kabsa, an Arab mixed rice dish, hails from Saudi Arabia and is traditionally served on a communal platter. It holds the status of a national dish across all countries in the Arabian Peninsula.
22/ Iraqi Timman Jizar
This popular dish is widely enjoyed in Iraq & known throughout the Arab world, also referred to as carrot rice. Combining carrots, onions & beef with aromatic Arab spices, it pairs perfectly with long-grain Basmati rice. For a vegetarian version, omit the… https://t.co/ciYljx3dOttwitter.com/i/web/status/1…
23/ Rouz Jerbi, Tunisia
Rouz Jerbi, also known as Djerbian rice, is a Tunisian dish originating from Djerba. This flavorful creation consists of rice, assorted vegetables, aromatic herbs, and spices. It is commonly prepared with beef, liver, lamb, chicken, or seafood.
24/ Shah Pilaf, Azerbaijan
Fit for royalty or a centerpiece of wedding feasts, shah pilaf, also known as crown pilaf, captivates with a delightful blend of local flavors. Its preparation involves several stages, resulting in its unique and distinct final form.
Want to know more about food heritage across the Muslim World?
Join us TOMORROW online and immerse yourself in the tantalizing world of culinary traditions at "The Art of Food across the Muslim World: Preserving Tradition & Reimagining the Future."
Zellij is a style of North African mosaic work, originating in the 10th century. It is crafted from hand-chiseled tiles fitted together to form incredible patterns and elaborate Islamic geometric motifs.
Kanafeh Kunafa Kanafe Kunefe. However you say it, this dessert of flaky dough & soft cheese topped with rosewater or orange blossom syrup & crushed pistachios is a Middle Eastern classic
No one knows precisely where kanafeh originated, but there are many theories
A thread…
1/ The ultimate origin of kanafeh is debated, with various legends attributing its creation to 15th-century Egypt or the Umayyad Empire during the 10th century. In contemporary times, Nablus, Palestine, holds the Guinness World Record for producing the largest kanafeh ever made
2/ Today, Kanafeh is enjoyed across the world. However, it is particularly popular in Arab territories, including the Levant, Egypt, and Palestine. Additionally, this delectable dessert can be discovered in Turkey, Greece, and the Balkans which boast diverse variations
In Pakistan colourful, ornate trucks rumbling down roads & highways is a very common sight, & a dominant part of the country’s identity. Pakistani truck art is more than just cultural expression, it’s also a deeply rooted tradition
A thread on Pakistani Truck art & its origins…
1/ Pakistani truck art has origins dating back to the 1920s, when Bedford trucks imported from England invaded the country’s streets. In the late 1940s, when trucks began long-haul journeys, each company designed ornate logos so that people would understand who owned the truck
2/ Over time these logos became increasingly ornate. They were badges of competition; the more flamboyant the design the better business became. In the 1950s Karachi became a hub of truck art—when Hajji Hussain, an artist known for his elaborate palace frescoes, settled in town
Sidi Bou Said is a charming town in northern Tunisia, named after a 13th-century Sufi saint. With its distinctive blue & white color scheme & breathtaking Mediterranean views, it is the prettiest spot in Tunisia, with a remarkably interesting heritage
A thread on Sidi Bou Said…
1/ Sidi Bou Said is characterised by the importance and richness of its cultural heritage. Its distinctive architecture is a mix of the Ottoman and the Andalusian, a result of the influx of Spanish Muslims in the 16th century
2/ Sidi Bou Said is named after Abu Said Ibn Khalef Ibn Yahia El-Beji, a Sufi who spent much of his life studying & teaching at the Zitouna Mosque in Tunis. After journeying through the Middle East on a pilgrimage to Mecca, he resided in a small village named Jebel El-Manar
Although many think the samosa originated in South Asia, its roots can be traced back to Central Asia & the Middle East. In Arab cookbooks dating from the 10th to 13th centuries, pastries were referred to as 'sanbusak,' derived from the Persian term 'Sanbosag'
A samosa thread…
1/ The samosa has embarked on a remarkable journey, leaving its mark in various corners of the world. From Egypt to Libya, and from Central Asia to India, the triangular stuffed pastry has earned widespread fame under different names.
2/ Originally known as samsa, paying homage to the pyramids of Central Asia, historical records also mention it as sanbusak, sanbusaq, or even sanbusaj, all tracing their roots back to the Persian word, sanbosag.
Known as the city of 1000 minarets, Cairo in Egypt is one of the world's oldest Islamic cities. With its famous mosques, madrasas, hammams & fountains, the beauty and charm of Cairo is in its exquisite use of Islamic architecture.
A thread on the beautiful heritage of Cairo…
1/ The minaret of Ibn Tulun Mosque, Old Cairo 🕌
Ibn Tulun Mosque is the oldest mosque built in the city and the largest mosque in terms of land area. It was built by Ibn Tulun between 876 AD & 879 AD
2/ Walking through Ibn Tulun mosque and Madrassa of Amir Sarghitmish, Old Cairo, Egypt 🕌