The men’s Fifa World Cup has kicked off, And what better way to learn more about the nation’s Arabic culture than to try its best-known foods?
Some might be unfamiliar with the country hosting the tournament. Qatar, located on a peninsula in the Persian Gulf, is home to over 2.9 million people and will be the setting for the month-long event.
These dishes from Qatar will help spice up your matchday meals.
Machboos
Machboos is the national dish of Qatar and typically consists of slow-cooked chicken or lamb with rice, onions, tomatoes, and spices. It is the local variation of kabsa, which is eaten throughout the Arab world and is often accompanied by a type of yogurt called laban. Anyone who has had chicken or lamb biryani will be right at home with this dish.
Madrouba
Reminiscent of a thick porridge, madrouba is made up of cracked wheat, chicken, and a whole lot of spices. The original version of the dish comes from Oman and uses rice instead of wheat. Eaten piping hot at any time of the day, it is usually garnished with pieces of lime for extra flavor.
Thareed
To make thareed, a thin flatbread is soaked in a rich tomato broth and covered with all kinds of potatoes, vegetables, and beans. Meat can also be included in the dish, which is frequently eaten during the Muslim observance of Ramadan.
